The second week of preseason video games for the 2023 NFL season kicked off Thursday night time with a matchup between the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles and the Cleveland Browns.
On Friday, the New York Giants edged the Carolina Panthers and the Cincinnati Bengals have been on the highway towards the Atlanta Falconsin a recreation that ended with a tie.
Saturday’s slate of 11 video games began with the Jacksonville Jaguars operating over the Detroit Lions for his or her second win of the preseason.Tua Tagovailoa noticed his first preseason motion because the Miami Dolphins clobbered the Houston Texans. The Pittsburgh Steelers offense continued to roll in a win over the Buffalo Payments.
The New Orleans Saints will face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and the motion will wrap up Monday night time on ESPN with the Baltimore Ravens on the Washington Commanders.
Listed below are the most important takeaways from the video games performed thus far, together with the remainder of the Week 2 preseason schedule.
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Saturday’s recreation
Steelers: Repeat after me: it is only a preseason recreation. OK, with that out of the best way, the subsequent apparent remark: the Steelers’ dismantling of the Payments was textbook complementary soccer, starting with the primary three drives of the sport. QuarterbackKenny Pickett and the primary staff offense opened up with a six-play, 86-yard scoring drive, capped off with a 62-yard Jaylen Warren speeding landing — the Steelers’ first speeding landing of at the very least 60 yards since 2016. Then, the Steelers’ protection promptly ushered quarterbackJosh Allen and the Payments’ first-team offense off the sphere with a three-and-out. Calvin Austin III returned the following punt 54 yards to the 25. A play later, Pickett discovered tight endPat Freiermuth simply over the objective line for one more fast rating. For the second week in a row, the explosiveness that eluded the Steelers in 2022 was current in a preseason win. Now they’ve simply bought to do it when it counts. –Brooke Pryor
Subsequent recreation:at Falcons (7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug. 24)
Payments : On an all-around messy night time for the Payments, the offensive line was particularly of word, with 5 of the staff’s 13 penalties and poor safety all through the sport. When the starters have been taking part in, the offensive line recorded a penalty on three straight performs and did not look in sync, particularly at deal with. Availability is a matter as effectively. Deal with Tommy Doyle was carted off the sphere within the third quarter with a left knee damage. Doyle tore his proper ACL in Week 3 final yr. Doyle’s damage provides one other query mark to a roster that was already coping with depth issues at deal with with Brandon Shell retiring earlier this week. One other downside popping out of the sport is depth at quarterback. Matt Barkley performed a big chunk (4 drives) earlier than Kyle Allen (12/15 112, 1 TD) late within the third quarter. Barkley threw three interceptions and misplaced a fumble (7/12 for 93 yards), and to make issues worse, he suffered a proper elbow damage. –Alaina Getzenberg
Subsequent recreation: at Bears(1 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 26)
Dolphins:The long-awaited return of Tua Tagovailoa bought off to about as dangerous of a begin as potential. His first move try of the preseason ended with an interception. Tagovailoa seemingly shook off the rust after the choose, finishing 5 of his subsequent 6 passes for 61 yards. He additionally accomplished all three of his makes an attempt on third down whereas main Miami on a 14-play, 93-yard drive.
Maybe the most important aid for followers and coaches got here when Tagovailoa took a success from Texans DT Sheldon Rankins after an incomplete move. Probably tapping into his offseason jiu-jitsu coaching, Tagovailoa rotated his physique on the best way to the bottom to keep away from hitting his head on the turf. He’ll doubtless get some prolonged run in subsequent week’s preseason finale towards the Jaguars, however there was loads to be optimistic about in Saturday’s efficiency.–Marcel Louis-Jacques
Subsequent recreation:at Jaguars (7 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 26)
Texans:Rookie quarterback CJ Stroud’s efficiency towards the Dolphins was significantly better than his preseason debut towards the New England Patriots when he went 2-for-4 for 13 yards and threw a choose. This week, Stroud performed your entire first half — going 7-of-12 for 60 yards — and led the offense to 3 factors.
Stroud had spectacular throws to huge receivers Robert Woods and Noah Brown, leading to first downs. The one disappointing collection was the primary one coming off an interception of Tagovailoa. The Texans’ offense had the ball on the Miami 7-yard line, however Stroud went 0-for-2 earlier than turning the ball over on downs.–DJ Bien-Aime
Subsequent recreation: at Saints(8 p.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 27)
Jaguars:Appears just like the Jaguars have discovered a possible complement to RB Travis Etienne Jr. in rookie third-round choose Tank Bigsby. The previous Auburn standout ran for 70 yards on 13 carries (5.4 per carry) within the first half towards Detroit and has 122 yards on 22 carries by way of the primary six quarters of the preseason (5.5 per carry). Etienne did not have a lot behind him after the Jaguars traded James Robinson final October. Jacksonville coach Doug Pederson mentioned he does not wish to overload Bigsby early within the season, but it surely’s doubtless his function will develop because the season progresses. –Michael DiRocco
Subsequent recreation:vs. Dolphins (7 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 26)
Lions:No. 50? Yeah, you noticed that proper — veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater made his Lions debut, rocking a brief jersey quantity as an alternative of his longtime No. 5, which is already taken by Lions operating again David Montgomery. With a lot of the starters out, together with Jared Goff, Bridgewater debuted — and confirmed he nonetheless has to get acclimated to the brand new system. He went 5-of-11 for 34 yards and had a first-quarter fumble. Bridgewater signed as a free agent late, on Aug. 10, to not solely present depth as quarterback but additionally assist in a mentorship function for a few of the younger guys, like huge receiver Jameson Williams.–Eric Woodyard
Subsequent recreation: at Panthers(8 p.m. ET Friday, Aug. 25)
Friday’sgames
Bengals:It is not simply the 2 preseason video games which have left the Joe Burrow-less offense missing sharpness. After Burrow went down within the second observe of coaching camp with a strained proper calf, the offense has sputtered.
On Friday, backup quarterback Jake Browning(16-of-22 for 140 yards) fared higher than Trevor Siemian(7-of-14 for 62 yards) who began in his flip within the rotation. However the Bengals did not rating an offensive landing within the first two preseason video games till the ultimate 50 seconds Friday, and the passing recreation is not solely guilty. The run recreation has been inefficient and penalties have ruined drives.
Except the Bengals get some enchancment or maybe discover another choice at backup quarterback, Cincinnati cannot afford to have Burrow injured throughout the common season.
The Bengals trotted out their first-team protection for a short stint towards the Falcons. We’ll see if the Bengals comply with swimsuit for the preseason finale towards Washington.–Ben Child
Subsequent recreation: at Commanders(6:05 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug 26)
Falcons:Atlantagot a bit little bit of every thing in its lone offensive drive with the starters within the recreation. Quarterback Desmond Ridder seemed sharp, finishing 7 of 9 passes, andthough the drive resulted in an interception, it was a tipped-ball choose by Joseph Ossai.
Rookierunning backBijan Robinson was as marketed, making defenders miss, displaying high-level pace and searching precisely as he had all through coaching camp. He has the traits of a particular participant with 4 carries for 20 yards. The largest concern was 4 penalties from the primary offensive unit, together with two holding calls on guard Chris Lindstrom, who had one penalty mixed in his first 4 NFL seasons.
Atlanta performed the overwhelming majority of its starters one serieson all sides of the ball towards the Bengals. Whereas it is potential Atlanta performs some starters Thursday towards Pittsburgh within the preseason finale, it will be stunning to see the vast majority of them in motion once more earlier than Week 1 towards Carolina on Sept. 10. –Michael Rothstein
Subsequent recreation:vs. Steelers (7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug 24)
Panthers:Rookie quarterbackBryce Younger wants some assist.
He wants it from his offensive line, which for the second straight week allowed the No. 1 total choose of the draft to take a few vicious hits (e.g., left deal with Ikem Ekwonuwas crushed twice) and continued to make pricey penalties (e.g., a maintain on rookie proper deal with Chandler Zavalanegated a 15-yard, third-down catch).
He wants it from his huge receivers, who proceed to be sloppy with route operating. Final week Laviska Shenault Jr. ran too deep on a third-down play. Rookie Jonathan Mingo stopped his route quick Friday night time on a third-down throw that ought to have been accomplished.
The excellent news is Younger hasn’t misplaced his cool or made pricey errors. He accomplished 3 of 6 passes for 35 yards on two collection (17 performs) and led a 15-play, 62-yard drive for a discipline objective. Progress, however these round Younger aren’t taking part in successful soccer.–David Newton
Subsequent recreation:vs. Lions(8 p.m. ET Friday, Aug 25)
Giants:Take into account this a dream preseason end result for the Giants’ starters, who coach Brian Daboll mentioned he needed to see sooner or later within the preseason. Quarterback Daniel Jones, making his first look since signing a four-year deal in March, seemed like a $160 million participant. He was near good in his one and solely drive, finishing 8 of 9 passes (together with three to new tight finish Darren Waller) for 69 yards and a landing.
Offseason addition huge receiver Parris Campbellhad two receptions on the drive, leaving everybody feeling good. Second-year exterior linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux had a sack and a strain whereas taking part in into the second quarter, and rookie huge receiver Jalin Hyatt, a third-round select of Tennessee, used his blazing pace to attach on a deep ball for a 33-yard landing from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
All in all, the Giants bought virtually every thing they might have hoped for from their beginning group in restricted motion towards the Panthers. It is unlikely we see most of them in recreation motion once more earlier than the Sunday night time season opener Sept. 10 towards the Dallas Cowboys.–Jordan Raanan
Subsequent recreation:vs. Jets (6 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug 26)
Thursday’s recreation
Eagles: Linebacker Nakobe Dean supplied some hope that the center of the protection is in good fingers. One of many solely projected starters to see motion for Philadelphia, Dean generated a turnover close to the Eagles’ objective line when he shot into the backfield and hit operating again John Kelly Jr., knocking the ball free. Security Okay’Von Wallace recovered it for a Philly takeaway. The Eagles face uncertainty at linebacker after the departures of starters T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White in free company. Dean, the second-year participant out of Georgia, is predicted to safe the MIKE linebacker spot, the place he’ll be charged with relaying the calls and getting the protection set. He has been coping with an ankle damage and has had a fairly quiet summer time so far, however flashed a few of the playmaking capacity Thursday that made him a star for the nationwide champion Bulldogs. — Tim McManus
Subsequent recreation: vs. Colts (8 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 24)
Browns: Rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson continued his standout preseason with one other spectacular efficiency towards Philadelphia. Enjoying the primary half in his first profession professional begin, Robinson-Thompson accomplished 13 of 25 passes for 164 yards. He additionally rushed for 18 yards on 4 carries. He led the Browns on three drives contained in the Philly 25-yard line. The previous UCLA star has positioned himself to change into Cleveland’s long-term backup QB of the long run behind starter Deshaun Watson. DTR in all probability would be the No. 3 QB this season behind Watson and Joshua Dobbs. However he is on monitor to change into the No. 2 QB by 2024. — Jake Trotter
Subsequent recreation: at Chiefs (1 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 26)
NFL preseason video games on Saturday
Buffalo Payments at Pittsburgh Steelers: 6:30 p.m. ET
Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts: 7 p.m. ET, NFL Community
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets: 7:30 p.m. ET
New England Patriots at Inexperienced Bay Packers: 8 p.m. ET
Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings: 8 p.m. ET
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals: 8 p.m. ET
Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers: 8:30 p.m. ET
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams: 9 p.m. ET
Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks: 10 p.m. ET, NFL Community
NFL preseason recreation on Sunday
New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers: 7:05 p.m. ET, NFL Community
NFL preseason recreation on Monday
Baltimore Ravens at Washington Commanders: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN