The NFL preseason is finally underway, signaling the start of football activities leading up to the regular season. Last week, the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears kicked off the preseason action, marking the beginning of a series of games for fans and teams to assess their players and strategies. Over the last four days, the rest of the league joined in, bringing a wave of excitement and a plethora of standout performances.
Caleb Williams made his much-anticipated season debut against the Buffalo Bills. Despite his limited playtime, Williams managed to show his potential by playing 18 snaps and completing 4 of 7 pass attempts for 95 yards. On the ground, he added another 13 yards, giving fans a glimpse of his dual-threat capabilities.
Bo Nix, who did not start the game, was another quarterback in the spotlight. It was Jarrett Stidham who took the initial snaps, but Nix made his mark when he stepped onto the field. Nix completed 15 of his 21 pass attempts, accumulating 125 yards and one touchdown. He also contributed 17 rushing yards, bolstering his performance. With an average of 5.4 yards per attempt, as noted by TruMedia, Nix demonstrated both efficiency and efficacy in his play.
J.J. McCarthy also had a noteworthy outing, completing 11 of 17 pass attempts for a striking 188 yards. His two touchdowns showcased his ability to find the end zone, although he did throw one interception late in the game, picked off by Jack Jones.
Meanwhile, Michael Penix Jr. put up solid numbers, connecting on 9 of 16 pass attempts for 104 yards. His performance, although not spectacular, was steady and showed promise for future games.
On a different note, Jayden Daniels had a brief but impactful appearance. Completing 2 of 3 pass attempts for 45 yards, Daniels also had a screen pass that overshot the intended receiver. Nonetheless, he made up for it by rushing into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown, showcasing his versatility as a quarterback.
Drake Maye had a quieter outing, completing 2 of his 3 pass attempts for 19 yards. While it wasn't a standout performance, every snap in the preseason counts as valuable experience for the young quarterback.
The preseason also saw three first-year running backs making an impression by finding the end zone: Bucky Irving, Audric Estime, and Jaylen Wright. Their ability to score early in their professional careers hints at the potential roles they may play in their respective teams.
On the defensive side, several players made significant impacts. Dominick Puni started at right guard for the San Francisco 49ers, holding his ground well. Austin Booker, representing the Bears, made his presence felt with 2.5 sacks, underscoring his potential as a disruptive force. Dallas Turner registered his first professional sack for the Minnesota Vikings, marking a milestone for the rookie. In Cincinnati, Josh Newton snagged an interception, a bright spot in their defensive lineup.
Unfortunately, not all news was positive. Kirk Cousins was sidelined due to an injury, providing an opportunity for other quarterbacks to step up but also causing concern for the team and their fans.
Among the offensive highlights, Will Shipley and Jermaine Burton both caught touchdowns, adding to the scoresheet and confirming their places as reliable targets for their quarterbacks.
As the preseason continues, these performances are just the beginning. Each snap, each throw, and each touchdown is a building block towards the regular season, where the stakes will be significantly higher. The preseason is a crucial period for players to prove their worth, and so far, several have taken full advantage of the opportunity.