The NFL preseason serves as a critical period for development and fine-tuning rosters, with teams evaluating budding talents and fringe players to solidify their final 53-man lineup. This preseason showcased significant performances and notable decisions by several teams, indicating the upcoming season's potential dynamics.
Cardinals Showcase Quarterback Depth
In Arizona, second-year backup quarterback Clayton Tune delivered an impressive performance for the Cardinals in their matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Jonathan Gannon opted to rest many starters, focusing on assessing the potential of players like Tune. The young quarterback completed four of his five passes during a meticulously orchestrated nine-play, 70-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown run by Michael Carter.
Throughout the game, Tune continued to impress, finishing a subsequent drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tony Jones Jr., bringing his tally to 163 yards and a touchdown on 15 of 24 passing. Despite Tune's efforts, the Cardinals narrowly fell to the Saints 16-14. Desmond Ridder also took snaps for the Cardinals, playing the entire first half but managing just four of nine passes for 43 yards.
Rookie Quarterbacks Struggle
Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. encountered mixed fortunes, completing nine of 16 passes for 104 yards in the Cardinals' subsequent game against the Miami Dolphins, where they lost 20-13. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons faced a setback when DeMarcco Hellams was carted off due to a left leg injury, adding to their preseason woes. Additionally, veteran quarterback Taylor Heinicke struggled, completing just four of 11 passes for 11 yards.
Defensive Bright Spots and Kicking Decisions
On the defensive end, first-round rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins of the Baltimore Ravens put up a commendable performance by allowing only two completions for a mere eight yards. However, the Ravens suffered a narrow defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, losing 16-13. Head coach John Harbaugh made a notable decision by opting for a 21-yard field goal on fourth-and-goal, a critical choice in the game's context.
Mixed Outcomes for Teams Across the League
The Buffalo Bills experienced a hefty loss to the Chicago Bears, with a final score of 33-6. Notably, rookie Caleb Williams for the Bears looked promising, completing four of seven passes for 95 yards. On the opposite spectrum, the New England Patriots secured a convincing 17-3 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins made their return for the Cincinnati Bengals, who narrowly lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-14. The Cleveland Browns faced defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers, where Jamari Thrash managed three catches for 43 yards.
The Denver Broncos edged out the Indianapolis Colts in a high-scoring affair, winning 34-30. Bo Nix stood out for the Broncos, accumulating 125 yards and a touchdown on 15 of 21 passing.
Contract Highlights
One of the significant off-field highlights involved Jordan Love signing a lucrative four-year, $220 million contract with the Green Bay Packers, which included a substantial $75 million signing bonus.
Ups and Downs for Greater NFL Landscape
Elsewhere, the New York Giants triumphed over the Detroit Lions with a 14-3 victory, while the Houston Texans bested the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-12. In another notable game, the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 26-13.
The Las Vegas Raiders encountered a nail-biting close contest with the Minnesota Vikings, ultimately losing 24-23. The Seattle Seahawks secured a decisive 16-3 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers, demonstrating their defensive prowess.
The Los Angeles Rams clinched a narrow 13-12 win over the Dallas Cowboys, rounding off a preseason marked by close contests and strategic evaluations.
In a revealing broadcast moment, Derek Carr shared during the game that “New Orleans didn’t game plan at all, and that he didn’t know who was playing with him until just before kickoff,” highlighting the spontaneity and adaptability required during the preseason.
As teams continue to refine their rosters and strategies, these preseason games have provided a glimpse into the potential and areas for improvement heading into the regular season.