-
NFL Nation, ESPN
Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams seemed sturdy Saturday towards the Cincinnati Bengals within the second week of the 2024 NFL preseason. The remainder of the league continued matchups on Saturday and can wrap up Sunday (full schedule beneath).
Week 2 of the preseason usually serves as a gown rehearsal for the common season. Our NFL Nation reporters let you know what you must know from every recreation as we head towards cut-down day on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Saturday’s Video games
Ravens: Trenton Simpson is able to substitute Patrick Queen at inside linebacker. Simpson made influence performs everywhere in the area and stopped the Falcons’ first three drives. He recorded a quarterback hit on third down of the opening collection, made an open-field sort out of quarterback Taylor Heinicke on third down of the second drive and broke up a cross 10 yards downfield on third down of the third possession.
A 3rd-round choose from a 12 months in the past, Simpson has gone from a query mark at first of the offseason to one of many group’s prime performers this summer season. He solely performed a complete of 46 defensive snaps final 12 months as a result of he was behind Queen, who made his first Professional Bowl final season. Now, after Queen signed with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, Simpson is one in all two new starters on a protection that ranked first within the NFL in fewest factors allowed (16.8), most sacks (60) and most takeaways (60). Whether or not it has been a preseason recreation or a coaching camp observe, Simpson has been quick and aggressive, turning into a dependable playmaker subsequent to center linebacker Roquan Smith. — Jamison Hensley
Subsequent recreation: at Inexperienced Bay (Saturday, Aug. 24, 1 p.m. ET)
Falcons: The Falcons did not swimsuit up round 40 gamers, together with all their starters and plenty of of their key second-team gamers — like rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. That left a bunch of younger gamers making an attempt to impress for a backup position or a spot on the 53-man roster.
The largest impressions made had been by Atlanta’s rookie defensive linemen: Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus. Each have needed to work onerous in observe to get extra reps and Orhorhoro has began to get constant runs with the second group, whereas Dorlus has began to make appearances there, as properly. On Saturday, Orhorhoro had an enormous sack within the first quarter and Dorlus was hustling everywhere in the area, with a fumble restoration and a sort out for a loss. That is encouraging for a group that instantly has a number of optimism up entrance on protection with the addition of edge rusher Matthew Judon. Huge receiver Chris Blair and cornerback Natrone Brooks had huge video games, too, making a case for themselves to grow to be a Falcon — or discover a spot elsewhere after Aug. 27. — Marc Raimondi
Subsequent Recreation: vs. Jaguars (Friday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m. ET)
Bears: It took Caleb Williams and Chicago’s beginning offense properly into the second quarter to get right into a groove after starting with three consecutive three-and-outs. Rookie Rome Odunze obtained issues shifting on a 16-yard end-around after veteran broad receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen exited the sport.
Williams then drew a 43-yard defensive cross interference when focusing on Tyler Scott on a deep ball, which obtained the Bears their first journey to the purple zone, leading to a area purpose.
After connecting with Williams on a 45-yard dime, Odunze arrange the Bears contained in the purple zone on the offense’s fifth drive. Had Odunze saved his toes in bounds, the No. 9 general choose would have recorded his first NFL landing on a fantastic thing about a throw from Williams within the nook of the tip zone.
Two performs later, Williams confirmed off his capability to scramble and hold his eyes down area whereas working in a 7-yard landing, his first of the preseason after 23 snaps towards the Bengals.
Defensively, Chicago took no mercy on Cincinnati’s backups by drawing up 10 blitzes towards Bengals third-string quarterback Logan Woodside — together with three nook blitzes from Kyler Gordon, Josh Blackwell and Reddy Steward with the latter two serving to produce two interceptions for the Bears protection. — Courtney Cronin
Subsequent Recreation: at Chiefs (Thursday, Aug. 22, 8:20 p.m.)
Bengals: The beginning cornerback battle was imagined to be essentially the most compelling side of Saturday’s preseason recreation towards the Bears. However DJ Turner and Dax Hill — the 2 combatants for the beginning job reverse exterior cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt — did not get an opportunity to make a play on the ball.
Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams did not goal both of them earlier than Turner and Hill had been changed.
Rookie Josh Newton, a fifth-round draft select of TCU, had a very good and dangerous second early within the recreation. He had a giant cross deflection on a ball supposed for Bears broad receiver DJ Moore, who simply signed a $110 million extension. However later within the recreation, he was whistled for defensive cross interference on a deep ball supposed for Chicago’s Tyler Scott.
Newton may push for a beginning job finally, however the battle nonetheless seems to be between Hill and Turner. — Ben Child
Subsequent Recreation: vs. Colts (Thursday, Aug. 22, 8 p.m.)
Thursday’s recreation
Eagles: Quarterback Jalen Hurts and the remainder of the offensive starters obtained the night time off. A handful of regulars noticed motion on protection, in the meantime, as defensive coordinator Vic Fangio continued to type by the competitors at a few key spots, together with linebacker and cornerback. A number of linebackers helped their trigger towards the Patriots. Zack Baun, who has seen a lot of the first-team reps this summer season alongside Devin White, confirmed good pursuit to cease working again Rhamondre Stevenson for no achieve early within the first quarter. Nakobe Dean spent a lot of his night time within the New England backfield and completed with a team-high 5 tackles.
There have been optimistic developments at edge rusher as properly. Nolan Smith Jr., a first-round choose in 2023, registered his second sack of the preseason. Free agent acquisition Bryce Huff was principally a cross rush specialist throughout his time with the Jets, creating uncertainty as as to whether he might be a three-down participant. Time will inform on that, however he made a very good learn to close down a brief cross to the precise aspect within the first quarter and recorded three tackles in restricted motion. — Tim McManus
Subsequent recreation: vs. Vikings (Saturday, Aug. 24, 1 p.m. ET)
Patriots: Rookie quarterback Drake Maye performed in 4 collection over two quarters — totaling 25 snaps — and the outcomes (albeit towards Eagles backups) sparked hope for the Patriots’ future. After taking part in only one collection final week, Maye helped lead the offense to 10 factors — a 51-yard Joey Slye area purpose after which a 4-yard TD run from himself. He entered at first of the second quarter rather than starter Jacoby Brissett (3 collection, 3-of-7 for 17 yards, 1 interception).
Maye’s stat line — 6-of-11 for 47 yards, along with 15 yards on 4 carries — did not essentially replicate the calmness of his efficiency as he patiently went by his progressions. For instance, he delivered a pinpoint deep ball within the third quarter to diving rookie broad receiver Javon Baker that was dropped. Had that connection been made — and Maye could not have thrown it any higher — it could have been a headline play. — Mike Reiss
Subsequent recreation: at Commanders (Sunday, Aug. 25, 8 p.m. ET)
Saturday video games
New York Giants at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET
Detroit Lions at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, 4 p.m. ET
Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns, 4:25 p.m. ET
Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans, 7 p.m. ET
Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts, 7 p.m. ET
Washington Commanders at Miami Dolphins, 7 p.m. ET
Buffalo Payments at Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 p.m. ET
New York Jets at Carolina Panthers, 7 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Chargers, 7:05 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Jaguars, 7:30 p.m. ET
Dallas Cowboys at Las Vegas Raiders, 10 p.m. ET
Sunday video games
Inexperienced Bay Packers at Denver Broncos, 8 p.m. ET
New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers, 8 p.m. ET