The NFL preseason officially kicked off last week, beginning with a clash between the Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears. These early matchups mark the return of professional football, setting the stage for the main event come regular season. The rest of the league followed suit over the past four days, offering plenty of talking points and standout performances.
Rising Stars and Rookie Performances
Los Angeles was buzzing with intrigue as Caleb Williams made his season debut against the Buffalo Bills. The young quarterback played 18 snaps and completed 4 of his 7 pass attempts, racking up an impressive 95 yards. Demonstrating his dual-threat capability, Williams also added 13 yards on the ground.
Meanwhile, Bo Nix, another highly-anticipated rookie, didn’t start the game but showed his potential once given the opportunity. Jarrett Stidham initially took the snaps, but Nix soon took over, completing 15 of his 21 pass attempts for 125 yards and securing one touchdown. His rushing game was also on point, adding 17 more yards to his stats. Notably, TruMedia highlighted his consistent performance, noting an average of 5.4 yards per attempt.
Quarterback Showdown
In another notable game, J.J. McCarthy took center stage, completing 11 out of 17 pass attempts for a total of 188 yards. His two touchdowns were slightly overshadowed by a late-game interception, skillfully picked off by Jack Jones. The anticipation around McCarthy has been palpable, and despite the interception, his performance carried more positives than negatives.
Michael Penix Jr. had a respectable outing, connecting on 9 of his 16 attempts for 104 yards. In contrast, Jayden Daniels' performance was brief but impactful, completing 2 out of 3 pass attempts for 45 yards. Though one of his screen passes sailed over the receiver's head, he made up for it by rushing into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown.
Drake Maye also made a brief appearance, completing 2 out of 3 passes for 19 yards, leaving fans wanting to see more of his potential in future games.
Ground Game Electrifies the Field
The first preseason games often serve as a testing ground for emerging talent, particularly in the running back position. This season, three first-year running backs managed to make their mark. Bucky Irving, Audric Estime, and Jaylen Wright all found the end zone, hinting at a promising future for their respective teams.
Defensive Prowess
Defensively, some standout performances included Austin Booker, who made a significant impact for the Bears with 2.5 sacks. For the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Turner registered his first professional sack, an encouraging start to his NFL career. Josh Newton added to the defensive highlights, snagging an interception for Cincinnati.
Missing in Action
On a less positive note, Kirk Cousins was notably absent, sidelined due to an injury. His absence was felt, although it opened the door for other players to step up and showcase their abilities.
Offensive Highlights
The wide receiver corps also had its moments. Will Shipley and Jermaine Burton each caught a touchdown, adding excitement and flair to their teams' offensive plays. These performances will likely keep their names in the spotlight as we move closer to the regular season.
Offensive Line Insights
Dominick Puni's start at right guard for the San Francisco 49ers added a layer of solidity to their offensive line, an area often under scrutiny in preseason games. His performance will be closely watched as the team prepares for the challenges ahead.
As the preseason continues, fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate how these early performances will translate once the regular season starts. So far, the blend of rookie enthusiasm and veteran strategy is offering a promising glimpse of what's to come in the 2023 NFL season.