2023-08-21 11:17:00
The NFL season is fast approaching! The National Football League is back in action in less than three weeks. With a view to the new season, the second preseason game day offered further insights. sport.de has the takeaways from the weekend for you!
Philadelphia Eagles – Cleveland Browns 18:18 (3:2, 0:6, 7:7, 8:3)
The second weekend of the preseason opened with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cleveland Browns. Both teams primarily relied on the backups in the key positions. For example, the two star quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Jalen Hurts were not used.
So the stage was clear for other players and one clearly stood out. Austin Watkins Jr. put on really strong stats. The wide receiver “only” caught seven out of 14 targets, but scored 139 yards and a touchdown. An impressive game from Watkins!
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
New York Giants – Carolina Panthers 21:19 (7:0, 14:3, 0:3, 0:13)
After first overall pick Bryce Young struggled with problems on his debut, the second game of the new Panthers quarterback didn’t go well either. In the end, Young made just three passes for 35 yards on his brief appearance. However, Carolina has also struggled with problems in the O-Line, which does not offer Young much protection. The Panthers will have to improve here.
Meanwhile, the Giants were much more comfortable in terms of quarterback play. Daniel Jones in particular (8/9, 69 yards, 1 TD) clearly felt comfortable with his brief assignment. With Jones (135.7), Tyrod Taylor (114.3) and Tommy Devito (100.0), all three Giants playmakers had three-digit passer ratings.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
Atlanta Falcons – Cincinnati Bengals 13:13 (0:0, 3:3, 7:3, 3:7)
The third game of the second preseason weekend, the second draw. With the Falcons, Desmond Ridder (7/9, 80 yards, 1 INT) made a really strong drive onto the field, but it ended with a deflected pass and an interception by the Bengals. Also in this drive was Bijan Robinson, who started his NFL career with a strong run for twelve yards and also followed up with a great catch with one hand.
With the Bengals, Jake Browning (16/22, 140 yards, 1 INT) applied for the job as a burrow backup, but he failed to lead the Bengals to a touchdown.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
Detroit Lions – Jacksonville Jaguars 7:25 (0:3, 0:9, 7:6, 0:7)
The Detroit Lions recently signed Teddy Bridgewater as a backup quarterback. However, he did not have a good day on his debut for the Lions. In the end, the veteran recorded five of eleven passes for just 34 yards and a turnover from a fumble. However, there was good news from rookie linebacker Jack Campbell. The youngster had 32 snaps and three tackles. Anyway, Campbell seemed very present.
With the Jaguars, rookie tank Bigsby rushed for 70 yards on 13 carries. That alone is a solid effort, but the running back rushed for an impressive 41 of his 70 yards from contact. However, visits to the end zone were reserved for D’Ernest Johnson, who scored both of his team’s rushing touchdowns.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
Houston Texans – Miami Dolphins 3:28 (0:7, 3:14, 0:7, 0:0)
There’s not much good to report about the Texans, that’s shown by the result alone, even if that’s secondary at most in the preseason. Nevertheless, Houston could not keep up with the Dolphins offensively or defensively. Both Davis Mills (10/22, 94 yards) and CJ Stroud (7/12, 60 yards) posed little threat to the Dolphins’ end zone and the running game was next to non-existent.
The statistics from Miami are quite different here. Running back Salvon Ahmed alone (12 carries, 99 yards) put more yards on the field than the entire Texans rushing offense. Of course, his 65-yard run was particularly impressive.
Otherwise, backup quarterback Skylar Thompson (15/22, 157 yards, 3 TD) was particularly impressive, while Tua Tagovailoa completed his only drive after 61 passing yards with an interception.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
Pittsburgh Steelers – Buffalo Bills 27:15 (14:0, 7:0, 6:0, 0:15)
The Buffalo Bills gave some starters at least a brief berth. For example, Josh Allen (7/10, 64 yards) played a drive and tight end Dalton Kincaid was also used. The rookie got four targets, which he turned into three catches for 45 yards.
Fourth-round pick Nick Herbig was able to draw attention to himself again at the Steelers. Overall, Herbig now has 2.5 sacks, four pressures, a forced fumble, and a 22.7% pass rush win rate in his 40 snaps played. A very impressive preseason so far for the rookie, whom teammate TJ Watt describes as “phenomenal”.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
Indianapolis Colts – Chicago Bears 24:17 (0:0, 7:7, 0:3, 17:7)
After making his NFL debut, the Colts named rookie Anthony Richardson as their starter for the upcoming season. As such, the fourth pick of this year’s draft was rested in the game against the Bears. Sam Ehlinger (9/14, 124 yards) and Gardner Minshew (13/15, 107 yards 1 TD) shared playmaker snaps and did a solid job. Ehlinger was particularly convincing with his footwork, he collected 60 yards on the ground.
Wide receiver Daurice Fountain drew particular attention to the Bears. With six targets, he collected five catches for a strong 86 yards and a touchdown. The German-American Equanimeous St. Brown, on the other hand, was only a little on the pitch, the only pass he missed.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
New York Jets – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6:13 (0:0, 6:10, 0:0, 0:3)
The quarterback situation in Tampa Bay remains quite opaque. For many it is clear that Baker Mayfield will probably be the starter, but there is still no confirmation. Mayfield stayed on the touchline the entire season against the Jets, a spontaneous decision Coach Todd Bowles later admitted.
However, he did not want to commit himself to a starter. Mayfield competitor Kyle Trask got the majority of the snaps against the Jets and put on solid stats (20/28, 218 yards, 1 TD).
Meanwhile, for the Jets, Rodgers backup Zach Wilson (9/13, 70 yards) impressed with a great run for 35 yards. Aaron Rodgers also had to smile appreciatively on the sidelines. The defense around Trey Dean (9 tackles) and Jimmy Moreland (7 tackles) seemed quite present.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
Arizona Cardinals – Kansas City Chiefs 10:38 (0:7, 7:10, 3:14, 0:7)
An impressive performance by the Kansas City Chiefs. Above all, the offensive knew how to convince again. Andy Reid let Patrick Mahomes (10/15, 105 yards, 1 TD) snap a few on the pitch. However, last season’s MVP was the “worst” Chiefs quarterback, at least in terms of quarterback rating.
Here, Mahomes had a 109 while Blaine Gabbert (7/8, 120 yards, 1 TD) maxed out a 158.3. Shane Buechele (10/10, 103 yards, 109.6 QB rating) and Chris Oladokun (4/5, 63 yards, 118.8 QB rating) also knew how to convince against weak Cardinals. Two young wide receivers, Ihmir Smith-Marsette (4 targets, 4 rec., 92 yards, 1 TD) and Rashee Rice (9 targets, 8 rec., 94 yards), benefited from this.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
Green Bay Packers – New England Patriots 17:21 (7:7, 10:7, 0:7, 0:0)
The game was unfortunately overshadowed by the serious injury by Patriots defenseman Isaiah Bolden, who lay motionless after a tackle ten minutes from time and was later rushed straight to the hospital.
The game was then aborted prematurely, the thoughts of everyone involved were of course with Bolden. “We’ve done a lot of good things in the past few days, but it’s hard to think about it. I just hope the young man is doing well,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur, who didn’t want to draw any conclusions about the circumstances.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
Minnesota Vikings – Tennessee Titans 16:24 (0:7, 9:0, 0:10, 7:7)
In both teams, the starters mostly got a break. On the Titans’ side, last year’s third-round pick Malik Willis (10/17, 85 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) played the entire game in the quarterback position. However, Willis threw more yards on the ground (91 yards) than through the air. Anyway, the Titans could run the ball well against Minnesota. Running back Julius Chestnut also scratched the three-digit mark with 98 yards, but also had a touchdown.
The Vikings, on the other hand, had less conspicuous players, but Minnesota also distributed the targets very neatly through the air and brought many players into play, even if the success was manageable.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
San Francisco 49ers – Denver Broncos 21:20 (3:3, 0:3, 6:7, 12:7)
After a long injury break, the Niners fans saw their new starting quarterback Brock Purdy back on the field for the first time. “Mr. Irrelevant,” who struggled in practice, was unscathed on his only drive (4/5, 65 yards). Trey Lance (12/18, 173 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) and Sam Darnold (11/14, 109 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) shared the remainder of the season.
On the Broncos side, Russell Wilson (3/6, 24 yards) was again not really convincing in his next short appearance. In any case, there were few special achievements at Denver. However, the appearance of O-Liner Quinn Meinerz, for example, can be highlighted. The guard didn’t even allow the QB to be put under pressure against a strong 49ers front with 13 pass-blocking snaps.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
Los Angeles Rams – Las Vegas Raiders 17:34 (0:7, 10:13, 7:7, 0:7)
Rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell had already shown a good game in the first week of the preseason and the fourth-round pick also delivered against the Rams. Eleven of 18 attempts found their target, while the playmaker put up 163 yards and two touchdowns. It is quite possible that he can secure the backup job behind Jimmy Garoppolo (4/4, 39 yards).
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Drake Thomas also impressed the Raiders. The rookie had ten tackles against the Rams, twice the number of any other player on the court.
For the Rams, quarterback Stetson Bennett (15/24, 142 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT) was the offensive player, but he wasn’t particularly effective. Meanwhile, the Rams QBs’ favorite pass station was Davis Allen, who caught eight of eight targets for 53 yards.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
Seattle Seahawks – Dallas Cowboys 22:14 (3:0, 14:7, 0:7, 5:0)
Seahawks fans weren’t the only ones looking forward to the appearance of rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. And “JSN” didn’t disappoint. In his brief appearance, he got three targets and caught all three balls for 58 yards. His 48-yard catch was particularly impressive when he passed Cowboys Eric Scott with an over route.
On the Cowboys side, the game got off to a promising start for rookie RB Deuce Vaughn when he left half the Seahawks defense on his first run. After that, however, there was less together in the Cowboys’ backfield, also because the offensive line had its problems. And there was also a lot to improve in terms of pass protection. For example, tackle Matt Waletzko allowed pressure on 30% of his pass-play snaps.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
Los Angeles Chargers – New Orleans Saints 17:22 (0:0, 10:13, 0:3, 7:6)
A tough day in the office for Easton Stick. The Chargers backup QB was allowed the entire game and had 41 pass attempts. At the age of 21, only just over half arrived here. 233 yards and an interception were also available. However, Stick also came under a lot of pressure and accordingly pocketed five sacks. Because he also ran for 63 yards and two touchdowns himself, one can certainly speak of a very busy performance by Easton Stick.
Meanwhile, there were hardly any starters on the field for the New Orleans Saints either. Especially in the last third of the field, the worm was still in there offensively. The Saints could only get one touchdown from some good field positions. Otherwise there was so much work for the kickers that the Saints divided it between two players. However, both Will Lutz (3/3 FG) and Blake Grupe (2/2 FG, 1/1 XP) were unscathed.
As usual, the statistics for the game can be found in the Boxscore
Washington Commanders – Baltimore Ravens (22.08.2023 02:00 Uhr)
1692688886
#NFL #Preseason #takeaways #game #day