What We Saw Roundup – Preseason Week 2

A new format including all the Preseason Week 2 nuggets and nuance from around the NFL – Here's What We Saw!

Brett Ford
What We Saw 4 Hours Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends

AFC

Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson (BAL): Did not play

Tyler Huntley (BAL) vs. MIN: 5/8 passing, 63 yards, 87.0 passer rating | 3 carries, 10 yards

Joe Fagnano (BAL) vs. MIN: 15/20 passing, 123 yards, 1 TD, sacked 1 time for 9 yards, 106.9 passer rating | 2 carries, 10 yards

Austin Reed (BAL) vs. MIN: 1/2 passing, 7 yards, 58.3 passer rating | 2 carries, -1 yard

Unsurprisingly, LJax didn’t play in the game, and sugar-free Lamar Jackson Huntley played as expected and remains the unquestioned QB2. If the Ravens carry a third quarterback on the active roster, Fagnano appears to have done enough to earn that honor over Reed. Fagnano looked poised during a 3rd quarter drive where he threw the game’s only touchdown to break a 3-3 tie and put Baltimore up for good.

 

Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen (BUF): Did not play

Kyle Allen (BUF) vs. CLE: 10/12 passing, 128 yards, 1 TD, sacked 1 time for 9 yards, 138.9 passer rating

Shane Buechele (BUF) vs. CLE: 5/10 passing, 111 yards, 1 TD, 123.3 passer rating | 3 carries, 3 yards, 1 TD

Kyle Allen completed 83.3% of his passes against the Browns and is locked in as the backup to Josh (unrelated). Buechele scored once through the air and once on the ground, hitting Ja’Mori Maclin with a 71-yard BOMB…kinda.

Buechele likely sticks around on the Bills practice squad and could end up as the QB2 somewhere in the future.

Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow (CIN): Did not play
Joe Flacco (CIN): ELITE Did not play

Josh Johnson (CIN) vs. CHI: 15/23 passing, 156 yards, 2 TD, 113.7 passer rating | 1 carry, 7 yards

Sean Clifford (CIN) vs. CHI: 10/15 passing, 126 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 87.1 passer rating | 4 carries, 11 yards

Johnson and Clifford are battling for the right to backup the backup, and Johnson (who holds the NFL record for playing on 14 different NFL franchises) holds the edge in his second stint with the Bengals.

 

Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson (CLE) vs. BUF: 5/12 passing, 36 yards, 1 INT, 14.6 passer rating | 2 carries, 13 yards

Shedeur Sanders (CLE) vs. BUF: 9/11 passing, 74 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, sacked 1 time, 87.1 passer rating | 1 carry, 2 yards

Dillon Gabriel (CLE) vs. BUF: 1 passing attempt, 39.6 passer rating

Sanders converted a 3rd and 15 late in the 2nd quarter, hitting Luke Floriea for a 23-yard connection and what would be his longest completion of the day. Sanders also threw an ugly pick to Damar Hamlin, underthrowing fifth-string tight end Jermain Terry, causing the ball to pop up for easy pickings.

Watson was horrendous after taking over in the third, and neither did much to secure the starting job, although Watson’s post-game remarks certainly didn’t help his cause. However, it seems that nothing he does on or off the field will impact his role as the team’s starter, as he was awarded the job on Monday. Good luck, Browns fans.

Denver Broncos

Bo Nix (DEN) vs. GB: 6/9 passing, 76 yards, 1 TD, 129.9 passer rating

Nix completed two-thirds of his passes against Green Bay, with both his drives ending in scores. He hit RJ Harvey for a 21-yard touchdown, dropping the ball right in his breadbasket on a wheel route. Nix looked good his first game back from his broken ankle, and I expect he’ll be rising up my QB ranks in version 2.0 of my Top 300.

Jarrett Stidham (DEN) vs. GB: 9/15 passing, 82 yards, 1 INT, 47.1 passer rating | 3 carries, 12 yards | 1 fumble

Sam Ehlinger (DEN) vs. GB: 2/2 passing, 10 yards, sacked 2 times for 13 yards, 87.5 passer rating | 2 carries, 7 yards | 1 fumble

Neither Stidham nor Ehlinger did anything particularly well, but Stidham remains the favorite to backup Nix once again.

 

Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud (HOU) vs. LVR: 4/6 passing, 27 yards, 76.4 passer rating

Stroud led Houston to a touchdown on his only drive of the night, completing four short passes with just a single 10+ yard completion. The most intriguing moment of his night came before the game.

Davis Mills (HOU) vs. LVR: 11/15 passing, 93 yards, sacked 1 time for 7 yards, 89.0 passer rating | 2 carries, 2 yards

Brett Rypien (HOU) vs. LVR: 6/10 passing, 44 yards, 1 INT, sacked 2 times for 16 yards, 30.8 passer rating | 2 carries, 7 yards | 2 fumbles (1 lost)

Mills doesn’t have to stick his neck out to earn the backup job ahead of Rypien; he’s locked it down.

 

Indianapolis Colts

Daniel Jones (IND): Did not play

Riley Leonard (IND) vs. ATL: 7/14 passing, 62 yards, 62.2 passer rating | 1 carry, 2 yards | 1 fumble

Anthony Richardson Sr. (IND) vs. ATL: 3/9 passing, 24 yards, sacked 2 times for 7 yards, 42.4 passer rating | 3 carries, 15 yards

Indiana Jones didn’t play as expected, while Leonard and Richardson battling to back him up is about as exciting as a water sandwich.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence (JAX): Did not play

Nick Mullens (JAX) vs. CAR: 6/7 passing, 65 yards, sacked 1 time for 8 yards, 105.4 passer rating | 1 carry, 3 yards

Joey Aguilar (JAX) vs. CAR: 9/10 passing, 130 yards, 1 TD, 152.1 passer rating

Carter Bradley (JAX) vs. CAR: 6/13 passing, 51 yards, 1 INT, 24.8 passer rating

Both Aguilar and Mullens played well, but Mullens is expected to open the season as the backup to TLaw. Aguilar’s strong preseason has likely earned him the QB3 spot over Bradley.

 

Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes (KC): Did not play

Justin Fields (KC) vs. TB: 9/12 passing, 64 yards, sacked 2 times for 23 yards, 86.8 passer rating | 1 carry, 15 yards | 1 fumble

Garrett Nussmeier (KC) vs. TB: 9/17 passing, 74 yards, 64.3 passer rating

Chris Oladokun (KC) vs. TB: 5/6 passing, 15 yards, 1 INT, 39.6 passer rating | 1 carry, 5 yards

Fields is locked in as the backup and incumbent starter until Mahomes is able to return from injury. The rookie Nussmeier failed to score himself, but was able to lead two scoring drives and should secure the third quarterback spot over Oladokun.

 

Las Vegas Raiders

Kirk Cousins (LVR): Did not play

Fernando Mendoza (LVR) vs. HOU: 8/15 passing, 86 yards, 1 INT, sacked 1 time for 11 yards, 42.6 passer rating

Aidan O’Connell (LVR) vs. HOU: 15/24 passing, 166 yards, 83.0 passer rating | 2 carries, 1 TD

Mendoza threw an 80-yard touchdown pass in his first game as a pro. The problem is it was to the other team. AOC’s best plays came on the final drive of the night, hitting Brandon Johnson for a 33-yard completion that set up O’Connell’s game-winning rushing touchdown with 14 seconds left. All inconsequential, however. Cousins likely starts the season as the Raiders starter, with the first overall pick Mendoza eventually taking the reins.

 

Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert (LAC) vs. SF: 1/2 passing, 9 yards, 62.5 passer rating

DJ Uiagalelei (LAC) vs. SF: 7/15 passing, 80 yards, 1 TD, sacked 1 time for 1 yard, 85.4 passer rating | 1 carry, -5 yards

Trey Lance (LAC) vs. SF: 10/16 passing, 73 yards, 73.2 passer rating | 2 carries, 42 yards

Herbert played the opening drive, and that’s it, completing one of his two pass attempts. Lance (lol) is expected to back up Herbert again this season, despite Uiagalelei being the only quarterback to throw a touchdown in the contest.

 

Miami Dolphins

Malik Willis (MIA): Did not play

Quinn Ewers (MIA): Did not play

Cam Miller (MIA) vs. NYG: 6/11 passing, 60 yards, sacked 2 times for 9 yards, 70.3 passer rating | 2 carries, 18 yards

Mark Gronowski (MIA) vs. NYG: 2/5 passing, 1 yard, 47.9 passer rating | 2 carries, 9 yards | 1 fumble

Ewers is the QB2 on this team when healthy, and neither Miller nor Gronowski did much of anything to separate themselves in the battle for QB3 duties.

 

New England Patriots

Drake Maye (NE): Did not play

Tommy DeVito (NE) vs. PHI: 8/15 passing, 151 yards, 1 TD, sacked 3 times for 25 yards, 110.7 passer rating | 3 carries, 44 yards

Behren Morton (NE) vs. PHI: 13/17 passing, 129 yards, 1 TD, sacked 1 time for 7 yards, 117.0 passer rating | 1 carry, -1 yard

Tommy Cutlets tossed a dime to Kyle Williams as he ran past the DB for a for a 69 yard touchdown and has all but locked up the backup job in New England. DeVito chipped in 44 rushing yards on three carries.

 

New York Jets

Geno Smith (NYJ) vs. PIT: 7/7 passing, 65 yards, 1 TD, 144.9 passer rating

Cade Klubnik (NYJ) vs. PIT: 10/14 passing, 75 yards, sacked 2 times for 13 yards, 83.9 passer rating | 1 carry, 16 yards

Bailey Zappe (NYJ) vs. PIT: 6/8 passing, 68 yards, 100.0 passer rating | 1 carry, -3 yards

Brady Cook (NYJ) vs. PIT: 1/2 passing, 31 yards, 1 TD, 135.4 passer rating

Yes, you read that right. Four different quarterbacks took snaps for the Jets this weekend. Smith completed all seven of his pass attempts and continues to play like the best quarterback to play for the Jets since Geno Smith. He missed the Jets preseason opener due to a sore ankle, but looked healthy. Klubnik and Zappe are in a battle for the QB2 spot, although nobody really cares.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaron Rodgers (PIT): Did not play
Mason Rudolph (PIT): Did not play

Drew Allar (PIT) vs. NYJ: 11/23 passing, 110 yards, sacked 3 times for 29 yards, 61.9 passer rating | 1 carry, 4 yards

Will Howard (PIT) vs. NYJ: 10/15 passing, 74 yards, 2 INT, sacked 1 time for 11 yards, 38.6 passer rating

Rodgers and Rudolph took the night for some R&R, while Allar and Howard should have done the same. Both came back to earth after helping the Steelers score four touchdowns last week, failing to lead Pittsburgh to any sort of score.

 

Tennessee Titans

Cam Ward (TEN) vs. SEA: 8/12 passing, 69 yards, sacked 1 time for 6 yards, 81.6 passer rating | 1 fumble

Mitchell Trubisky (TEN) vs. SEA: 7/9 passing, 49 yards, sacked 1 time for 7 yards, 89.4 passer rating

Hendon Hooker (TEN) vs. SEA: 2/2 passing, 35 yards, 118.8 passer rating | 3 carries, -2 yards

Will Levis (TEN) vs. SEA: 4/9 passing, 15 yards, sacked 1 time for 6 yards, 51.6 passer rating | 4 carries, 15 yards

Another team that had four QBs take snaps! Ward played a little, but the play calling was vanilla. Trubisky continued his solid play and should backup Ward. Hooker didn’t have much of an opportunity, but Levis could be playing himself right off this roster.

 

NFC

Arizona Cardinals

Jacoby Brissett (ARI): Did not play
Carson Beck (ARI): Did not play

Gardner Minshew II (ARI) vs. DAL: 19/23 passing, 177 yards, 1 INT, sacked 1 time for 8 yards, 80.6 passer rating | 2 carries, 4 yards

Kedon Slovis (ARI) vs. DAL: 2/7 passing, 30 yards, sacked 1 time for 9 yards, 44.9 passer rating | 1 carry, 11 yards

Minshew looked pretty much like he always does. He’ll be Brissett’s backup to open the season, with injury keeping Beck from pushing for the job against the Cowboys.

 

Atlanta Falcons

Tua Tagovailoa (ATL): Did not play
Michael Penix (ATL): Did not play

Jack Strand (ATL) vs. IND: 12/17 passing, 212 yards, 1 TD, sacked 1 time for 1 yard, 132.5 passer rating | 9 carries, 22 yards, 1 TD

Cooper Rush (ATL) vs. IND: 10/11 passing, 86 yards, 99.2 passer rating | 1 carry

Granted, neither team played many of their starters, but Strand tossed for 212 yards and a touchdown on just 12 completions. Rush had just one incompletion on 11 attempts, but failed to score a touchdown. With Penix cleared to start practicing, this QB room is wide open for both the starter and QB3 positions.

 

Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young (CAR) vs. JAX: 5/6 passing, 49 yards, 100.7 passer rating

Kenny Pickett (CAR) vs. JAX: 15/25 passing, 137 yards, 1 TD, 88.2 passer rating

Kyle Trask (CAR) vs. JAX: 4/4 passing, 52 yards, 1 TD, 158.3 passer rating

Young bounced back from a tough outing against Buffalo last week, and Pickett continued his stellar preseason play, tossing a gorgeous touchdown in the third quarter against the Jags. He’s likely locked up the backup spot over Trask.

 

Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams (CHI) vs. CIN: 2/5 passing, 28 yards, 58.8 passer rating

Case Keenum (CHI) vs. CIN: 9/17 passing, 119 yards, 75.4 passer rating

Miller Moss (CHI) vs. CIN: 13/21 passing, 103 yards, sacked 2 times for 14 yards, 74.1 passer rating | 1 carry, 5 yards

Williams played the opening series, and Keenum made his case (ba-dum-tiss) to remain the backup for the Bears. Moss isn’t a threat.

 

Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott (DAL): Did not play

Joe Milton III (DAL) vs. ARI: 9/13 passing, 179 yards, 2 TD, 151.4 passer rating | 3 carries, 2 yards, 1 TD

Sam Howell (DAL) vs. ARI: 7/10 passing, 65 yards, 1 INT, sacked 1 time for 6 yards, 47.9 passer rating | 1 carry, 7 yards

Milton thoroughly outplayed Sam Howell in the battle to be the backup in big D, tossing two tuddys and rushing for another. Howell didn’t look awful, but threw an ugly pick in the end zone with about eight minutes left in the game.

 

Detroit Lions

Jared Goff (DET): Did not play

Luke Altmyer (DET) vs. WSH: 9/13 passing, 86 yards, sacked 4 times for 35 yards, 87.3 passer rating | 3 carries, 3 yards

Joshua Dobbs (DET) vs. WSH: 7/12 passing, 74 yards, 1 INT, sacked 1 time for 15 yards, 41.7 passer rating | 2 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD | 1 fumble (1 lost)

Dobbs took a fake handoff to the house for a 50-yard rushing touchdown, but failed to throw a passing touchdown as Altmyer looked spry and a legit threat to overtake Dobbs on the Detroit depth chart.

 

Green Bay Packers

Jordan Love (GB) vs. DEN: 5/7 passing, 56 yards, 1 TD, 134.5 passer rating

Love completed 5/7 passes (including a play action strike to Matthew Golden on fourth and inches to extend a drive that would end with a touchdown pass to Marshawn Lloyd. Love looks ready to roll in Week 1.

Kyle McCord (GB) vs. DEN: 12/19 passing, 118 yards, sacked 1 time for 10 yards, 80.6 passer rating | 1 carry, 2 yards

Tyrod Taylor (GB) vs. DEN: 4/8 passing, 17 yards, 1 TD, 95.8 passer rating | 2 carries, 7 yards

After another solid preseason performance, McCord may shockingly take the backup job from the veteran Taylor, who’s struggled in two games with Green Bay. McCord impressively ended both halves against the Broncos by leading the Packers in two minute drills that ended in field goals.

 

Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford (LAR): Did not play

Stetson Bennett IV (LAR) vs. NO: 19/31 passing, 181 yards, 77.5 passer rating | 2 carries, 9 yards, 2 TD

Ty Simpson (LAR) vs. NO: 8/12 passing, 73 yards, 83.0 passer rating | 3 carries, 10 yards

The 57-year-old Bennett scored twice on the ground and looked the part as the backup for the Rams for at least one more season. Simpson came in the game late in the second half and played well, but nothing stood out.

 

Minnesota Vikings

Kyler Murray (MIN): Did not play

Max Brosmer (MIN) vs. BAL: 11/17 passing, 98 yards, 1 INT, sacked 2 times for 14 yards, 55.5 passer rating | 1 carry, 4 yards

Carson Wentz (MIN) vs. BAL: 9/11 passing, 92 yards, sacked 2 times for 17 yards, 101.5 passer rating

J.J. McCarthy (MIN) vs. BAL: 5/10 passing, 81 yards, sacked 1 time for 6 yards, 77.5 passer rating

Will JJ stick on this roster if he continues to play like this? NEIN! McCarthy played poorly, completing a mere 50% of his passes and once again looked in over his head. Wentz was solid yet unspectacular, and looks like the favorite to backup Murray at this point.

 

New Orleans Saints

Tyler Shough (NO): Did not play

Spencer Rattler (NO) vs. LAR: 14/23 passing, 141 yards, 1 INT, 60.2 passer rating | 5 carries, 21 yards

Zach Wilson (NO) vs. LAR: 6/12 passing, 55 yards, 1 INT, sacked 1 time for 8 yards, 28.1 passer rating | 4 carries, 19 yards

Rattler and Wilson are vying to backup Shough, and both looked exactly how you’d expect. Not great, Bob.

 

New York Giants

Jaxson Dart (NYG): Did not play

Jameis Winston (NYG) vs. MIA: 15/21 passing, 150 yards, 91.4 passer rating | 1 carry, 11 yards, 1 TD

Brandon Allen (NYG) vs. MIA: 13/18 passing, 101 yards, sacked 1 time for 9 yards, 85.6 passer rating

Jake Haener (NYG) vs. MIA: 3/3 passing, 15 yards, 87.5 passer rating | 3 carries, -3 yards

Winston remains the Giants backup and a national treasure.

 

Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts (PHI): Did not play

Tanner McKee (PHI) vs. NE: 16/22 passing, 173 yards, 2 TD, sacked 1 time for 8 yards, 125.8 passer rating

Andy Dalton (PHI) vs. NE: 3/10 passing, 44 yards, 45.4 passer rating

Cole Payton (PHI) vs. NE: 1/1 passing, 10 yards, sacked 1 time for 8 yards, 108.3 passer rating | 1 fumble (1 lost)

McKee tossed two touchdowns in this one, including a lead-changing passing score with 3:39 left in the game. McKee has outplayed Dalton this preseason and should currently be seen as the favorite for the right to hold the clipboard behind Hurts.

 

San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy (SF) vs. LAC: 4/6 passing, 29 yards, 77.8 passer rating | 1 carry, 3 yards

Mac Jones (SF) vs. LAC: 6/13 passing, 89 yards, 69.1 passer rating | 1 carry, 1 yard

Adrian Martinez (SF) vs. LAC: 8/17 passing, 57 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 35.3 passer rating | 4 carries, 10 yards, 1 TD | 1 fumble

Purdy is the starter. Jones is the backup. Now continue on your way.

 

Seattle Seahawks

Sam Darnold (SEA): Did not play

Drew Lock (SEA) vs. TEN: 12/14 passing, 103 yards, 1 TD, 121.1 passer rating | 2 carries, 8 yards

Jalen Milroe (SEA) vs. TEN: 6/11 passing, 52 yards, 2 INT, sacked 2 times for 21 yards, 27.7 passer rating | 1 carry, 16 yards

Pretty much a paint-by-numbers performance. Lock was decent and will open the season as Darnold’s QB2. Milroe showed he still has that motion, but tossed two picks and was sacked twice. He’s a long-term project.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield (TB) vs. KC: 2/4 passing, 10 yards, 56.2 passer rating

Jake Browning (TB) vs. KC: 8/11 passing, 84 yards, sacked 3 times for 22 yards, 94.5 passer rating | 2 carries, 14 yards | 1 fumble

Jalon Daniels (TB) vs. KC: 9/14 passing, 71 yards, 1 TD, 100.6 passer rating | 7 carries, 19 yards | 1 fumble

Mayfield started the game but didn’t even make it out of the first quarter before being pulled by expected backup Jake Browning. But Daniels isn’t just rolling over and continued a stellar preseason, leading the Bucs to three scoring drives.

 

Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels (WSH) vs. DET: 0/1, sacked 1 time for 10 yards, 39.6 passer rating

Marcus Mariota (WSH) vs DET: Did Not Play

Athan Kaliakmanis (WSH) vs. DET: 11/14 passing, 162 yards, 114.9 passer rating

Sam Hartman (WSH) vs. DET: 9/11 passing, 67 yards, sacked 1 time for 11 yards, 92.0 passer rating | 1 carry, 6 yards | 1 fumble

Not what you want to see if you’re a Washington or Daniels fan. Daniels was sacked on his only pass attempt. Kaliakmanis outplayed Hartman, tossing 162 yards and just three incompletions, but Mariota is the backup when healthy.

 

Series Navigation
Introduction
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends

Brett Ford

Writer, Editor and Podcast host for QBList.com, Ravens fan, Cool Dad