PITTSBURGH STEELERS 16, TENNESSEE TITANS 6
1. The Steelers saw
enough out of Ben Roethlisberger before shutting him down early in the second quarter.
Roethlisberger played three series and completed an efficient 11 of 18 passes
for 114 yards and a touchdown, all without wide receiver Antonio Brown (quad) and running back Le'Veon Bell, who hasn't signed his $14.5 million
franchise tag. On the
scoring play, Roethlisberger connected with wide receiver Justin Hunter on a gorgeous 32-yard pass over the top of the Titans'
cornerback and safety. Roethlisberger isn't likely to see action in the final
preseason game, but he looked more than prepared for the season opener against
the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 9.
2. Steelers rookie
running back Jaylen Samuels, the team's fifth-round pick made the most of his opportunities in the
second half with 77 total yards (41 rushing). Samuels had a touchdown catch
negated by a holding penalty, but he showcased versatility out of the backfield
as a receiver, hauling in four catches for 36 yards on five targets. Given his
skill set, Samuels provides depth at running back position and could eventually
carve out a niche in the offense.
3. While
Roethlisberger had a good outing, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was on the opposite end of the judgment scale. Mariota struggled in
four series, completing 5 of 8 passes for 43 yards with an interception, which
was snared by rookie Terrell Edmunds, the Steelers'
first-round pick. Mariota also was sacked twice and saw his first-team offense
get shut out in the first half. With most teams around the league resting
starters next week in the final preseason contest, it wouldn't surprise if the Titans took
the same approach, which would prevent Mariota from entering the regular season
with momentum.
CHICAGO BEARS 27, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 20
1. Patrick Mahomes didn't connect on a deep bomb this week, but the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback came out of the gate looking good, connecting on his
first seven passes for 111 yards and a TD. The second-year signal-caller
displayed growth on his touchdown pass, recognizing a Bears'
blitz and finding his hot read, Kareem Hunt, in the flat for a 19-yard touchdown. Mahomes got all his weapons in
play, hitting Sammy Watkins on a 15-yard dart on the opening drive, and completing each of his
10 targets to Tyreek Hill (8) and Travis Kelce (2). Under siege behind a struggling offensive line, Mahomes
utilized his athleticism to avoid negative plays versus Bears'
blitzes. After the quick start, the Chiefs offense sputtered against Bears backups,
going three-and-out on their final three possessions of the first half. Mahomes
returned to play the first series of the third quarter, leading an impressive
drive that stalled in the red zone. He finished 18-of-24 for 196 yards and 1 TD
for a 112.5 passer rating. Playing against Chicago's second-unit doesn't
provide much information on Mahomes or the Chiefs first-string
offense. However, Saturday's tilt once again displayed that the QB is a
playmaker who is growing each start.
2. The Chiefs will
need Mahomes and the offense to carry the team this season because the
first-team defense did not look good Saturday. K.C.'s D allowed former Chief
QB Chase Danielto pick them apart (REVENGE GAME!). The Bears second-string
offense scored on four of its five possessions (not including an end-of-half
kneel) in the first half for 24 points. Kansas City's secondary particularly
struggled, allowing Daniel, a career backup, to pick them apart for 198 yards
and two touchdowns on 15 completions (149.5 QB rating). Corners David Amerson and Orlando Scandrick, newly signed, each got burned. With several starters sitting, Kendall Fuller was the only DB who stood out Saturday. The Chiefs defensive
front barely sniffed the quarterback early, generating zero sacks and zero QB
hits in the first half (one sack was nullified by a questionable penalty call).
The reworked defense could be an issue all season for Andy Reid in 2018.
3. Kevin White finally put one on the board. The former first-round pick scored
his first career NFL touchdown, preseason or regular season. White burned
Scandrick on a nice stutter-and-go move for a 29-yard TD in the first quarter.
Matt Nagy sat most of his starters on Saturday, utilizing the third preseason
game to evaluate position battles. White needed a good week to push for playing
time and keep his roster spot. The TD will help. However, seventh-round
rookie Javon Wims looked more impressive hauling in a 54-yard catch, a 44-yard grab
and a beautiful toe-tapping TD. White and Wims are battling for snaps behind
starters Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and rookie Anthony Miller.
LOS ANGELES RAMS 21, HOUSTON TEXANS 20
1. Coach Sean McVay
elected to bench his offensive starters again, likely meaning we won't
see Todd Gurley, Jared Goff, etc. before Week 1. Of the backups, sixth-round running back John Kelly looked like a baller yet again. Kelly put his stamp on the L.A.
roster. It would be a surprise at this point if the Rams risked
trying to sneak him through waivers.
While the offense
sat, the Rams'
defense did play its starters briefly. Wade Phillips' group looked like one of
the best units in the NFL on two short drives. The Rams badgered Deshaun Watson, forcing a 3-and-out and an interception by safety Lamarcus Joyner. Ndamukong Suh made his debut in a Rams jersey and destroyed Watson on the
INT. Two Rams defenders
coming back from long injury-related absences stood out. Dominique Easley played for the first time since 2016. Phillips is trying out Easley
as an edge rusher/OLB, a place L.A. is thin. On early snaps, the pass-rusher
looked good, getting pressure on Watson and forcing a hold. Veteran
corner Sam Shields also returned after missing almost all the past two seasons.
Shields looked great jumping a route to pick off Brandon Weeden. The 30-year-old looks spry, seemingly running the route for the
wideout. With Shields providing depth behind Aqib
Talib and Marcus Peters, the Rams could
boast a shut-down corner group to rival any in the NFL.
2. Speaking of
defensive players getting back on the field, the Houston Texans were happy to see J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney earn preseason work. Watt, coming off a devastating knee injury,
recorded a tackle on the opening drive. Clowney, who underwent a knee scope
this offseason, swatted one pass that should have been intercepted. The duo
lined up all over the formation, something we expect to see more of when the
regular season starts. It was just a brief outing, but it was good to see the
difference-making pocket-pushers on the field. If each stays healthy, the Texans could
boast the best defensive front in the NFL.
3. Keeping with the
theme of players coming back from season-ending injuries, quarterback Deshaun Watson played three series, two against Rams first-stringers.
Constantly under pressure, Watson didn't have much time to make plays. He
finished with 3-of-6 passing for 15 yards and a deep interception, which worked
as an arm-punt. It was a far cry from the efficient performance we saw last
week, but the stats aren't the takeaway here. The second-year quarterback,
playing without a brace on his surgically repaired knee, looked mobile and
popped up from each shot taken. Saturday's game was a reminder that Watson
could be running for his life on a weekly basis behind an offensive line that
might be one of the worst in the NFL. Watson proved he was healthy this
preseason, which was the main goal for Coach Bill O'Brien. Now it's on Houston
to find the QB some protection.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 23, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 17
1. It's been a long
and arduous journey, but the pilgrimage to discover Andrew Luck's readiness for the upcoming season has yielded encouraging results.
Assuming coach Frank Reich doesn't need further reassurances in the durability
of his starting quarterback's surgically-repaired shoulder, Luck is poised to
end the preseason completing 20 of 32 passes for 204 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT and a
83.1 passer rating over three games. Against the 49ers,
Luck completed 8 of 10 passes for 90 yards -- he also had four rushes for 27
yards. Those number sets don't set the NFL world on fire, but they should leave
the Colts thoroughly convinced that the quarterback position is the least
of their offensive worries. Luck looked sharper Saturday than he did against
the Ravens in
Week 2. His 15-yard, lobbing TD strike to a stretched out Eric Ebron showcased Luck's rejuvenated arm strength and his ability to
immediately cut through defenses when coverage gaps emerge.
2. The biggest
concern for Reich and the Colts has
to be the one-dimension nature of the team's offense. The offensive line hasn't
played well and the running game is virtually non-existent. Until Jordan Wilkins got a bunch of late-game carries against the 49ers'
reserve and roster-spot hunter squadrons, Luck was the team's leading rusher.
The offensive line's struggles have been the catalyst for the stillborn running
game that has giving Indy a very one-dimensional look. Denzelle Good's early exit because a knee injury certainly didn't help the cause
against San Francisco. No one has stood out among the running backs so far. Too
bad Alfred Morris is no longer a free agent.
3. Speaking of
Morris, the veteran running back flashed signs of his ol' workhorse
ball-carrier self, churning out 84 yards on 17 carries. The performance should
help 49ers fans
feel a little bit better about what a mostly green -- and a little black and
blue -- running back corps. Jimmy Garoppolo didn't have the greatest performance in his two-plus quarters of
work. He completed 9 of 19 passes for 135 yards and seemed to be a tentative,
at times, with his decision-making. Still, his receivers dropped five passes
and the 49ers'
offensive line -- like other O-line units this preseason -- struggled to
consistently stay in front of Indy's pass rush. But let's not get too Jaylen
Ramsey here about Jimmy G's play. Richard Sherman had a relatively quiet 49ers debut,
but he successfully broke up a pass from Luck to Ryan Grant the first time he was targeted. Second-year linebacker Reuben Foster suffered a concussion in the second half and cornerback Jimmie Ward left in the first half with an ankle injury.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 17, ATLANTA FALCONS 6
1. Blake Bortles had another inconsistent performance in what has turned out to be a
very shaky preseason for the fifth-year signal caller. Bucking the growing
trend of not using the third game of the preseason as a Week 1
dress rehearsal, Coach Doug Marrone gave Bortles two-plus quarters of work
under center. Bortles responded with a two-faced performance, completing 17 of
23 passes for 204 yards and two interceptions. The picks were concerning, but
the missed throws also weren't good. It was, for the most part, what Jaguars fans
are probably used to at this point with Bortles: a couple wow moments mixed in
with some head-scratching ones. Leonard Fournette had a strong game, slicing and dicing his way to 57 yards and a TD
on 10 carries. Cody Kessler looked good in backup duty, completing 7 of 7 passes for 79 yards.
In a much more serious development, wide receiver Marqise Lee was carted off the field in the first quarter after suffering a
knee injury. Lee went down after taking an illegal low helmet hit from Falcons safety Damontae Kazee. If Lee misses significant playing time, it'll be a blow to the Jaguars'
offense in 2018.
2. Matt Ryan and the Falcons had
difficulty taming the Jaguars'
prolific Sacksonville pass rush. Ryan was held scoreless in his stint,
completing just 5 of 12 passes for 57 yards as Atlanta's offensive line
struggled to keep pressure off him. Again, the Falcons didn't
have all of their offensive weapons deployed in this one, with Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones set to sit out until Week 1. Mohamed Sanu's spectacular one-handed catch was probably the highlight of the night
for the offense, which also benefited from Tevin Coleman's 38 yards on seven carries. Atlanta's defense was inconsistent at times
-- especially when it came to corralling Leonard Fournette. Rookie Isaiah Oliver's trial by fire continued when he got torched by Donte Moncrief for 37 yards. Damontae Kazee had another strong game despite his illegal hit on Lee.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 36, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 7
1. As he did in 2017
when he played five series in the third preseason game, Saints quarterback Drew Brees' time in Saturday night's third exhibition matchup against the Chargers proved
relatively short. Brees saw action in three series, completing 7 of 9 passes
for 59 yards with an interception, which he threw on the Saints'
first offensive possession. If Coach Sean Payton sticks with the pattern of
recent years, Brees isn't likely to touch the field in the final preseason game
next week. The Saints'
signal-caller didn't play in the exhibition finale in 2017, saw action on one
series in 2016, and did not play in 2015 and 2014. But if there's a veteran
quarterback who doesn't need extended preseason action, it's definitely Brees,
whose 70,445 career passing yards ranks third all-time in NFL history.
2. The Saints'
defense had a good glimpse into the future with first-round pick Marcus Davenport, the 14th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. Davenport missed a chunk of training camp
with an undisclosed injury and did not play in the first two preseason games.
He more than made up for lost time, however, by being a disruptive force in
the Chargers'
backfield. Davenport's box score reads three total tackles (two solo) and half
sack, but his impact went beyond statistics. The rookie defensive end
consistently applied pressure or helped cave the pocket from his spot on the
right side of the defensive line. With defensive end Cameron Jordan anchoring the left side, the Saints'
ability to affect the opposing quarterback in 2018 is ready for takeoff with
Davenport in the rotation.
3. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers saw limited action, completing 7 of 9 passes in two series before
putting on a baseball cap. Rivers will be fine for the regular season despite
the lack of snaps Saturday night, of course. As for a starting running back,
the Chargers were
without Melvin Gordon, who was absent for a family matter, and turned to backup Austin Ekeler. The second-year pro quickly made an impact and gashed the Saints'
starting defense on the Chargers'
first offensive possession, accounting for 54 of the team's 59 total yards on
the drive, including runs of 21 and 12 yards. He finished the game with 50
yards rushing on six carries and 13 yards receiving on three catches. The Chargers are
in a good place with Eckler should Gordon ever miss time during the regular
season.
BALTIMORE RAVENS 27, MIAMI DOLPHINS 10
1. The Ravens got
a small preseason growth spurt from Lamar Jackson, who put up the strongest performance of his budding NFL career.
Jackson, a Florida native, looked comfortable at The Rock, completing 7 of 10
passes for 98 yards and a touchdown in addition to rushing for 39 yards -- most
of which came on a goal-line diving, 19-yard TD run. He effectively showcased
his speedy, hybrid skill set that makes him a challenge for defenses. It wasn't
a perfect game, but it's the kind of game that should definitely lock in
his Joe Flacco backup status. Robert Griffin III also had a decent game, connecting on 9 of 15 passes for 66 yards.
Griffin likely will see plenty of playing time next week against the Redskins,
but it remains to be seen if he'll make the 53-man roster. At the very least,
Griffin's performances could pique interest among coaches not happy with their current backup
options.
2. The Dolphins showed
flashes of the dynamic offense that might just be waiting to break the surface
and leap through the flaming ring that is the AFC East. Ryan Tannehill and the first-team offense finally found the end zone and looked
decisive doing it. He completed 11 of 16 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown
-- a 16-yard strike to Danny Amendola. It was encouraging performance that showcased what Miami might accomplish
through its passing game; even it did come against a reserve-laden Ravens defense.
Running back Kenyan Drake also performed well, tallying 32 yards on four carries -- most of
which came on a 30-yard sideline scamper. He also caught a 36-yard pass. With
the talent the Dolphins have
in their receiving corps and Drake poised to springboard off the impressive
numbers he posted last season, there's reason for optimism in South Beach
CAROLINA PANTHERS 25, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 14
1. Cam Newton opened
the tilt with a 16-play, 77-yard field goal march that chewed nearly 10 minutes
off the clock. It was a relief to see Ace Boogie finish the drive after
Carolina's starting passer briefly left the field after crashing helmet-first
into the ground on a diving 10-yard scramble to move the chains. After visiting
the blue tent for a spell, Newton bounced back to finish 11-of-17 passing for
142 yards. Cam showed chemistry with his targets, hitting Devin
Funchess on a 28-yard bullet and a wide-open Curtis Samuel for
28 yards of his own. Greg Olsen came
on late with a pair of huge grabs to set up a field goal that ended the first
half. On the ground, Christian McCaffrey piled
up 64 total yards off 14 touches and looked great ripping off a physical
18-yard run down the sideline. He's a stronger specimen this time around, one
bound for a fascinating campaign.
2. We won't see Julian
Edelman until October, but the slot man looked spry on a pair
of chain-moving grabs for the Patriots.
He also dropped a ball he should have had along the sideline. While Rob
Gronkowski wound up catch-free off two drives, Tom Brady made
solid use of Phillip
Dorsett and Cordarrelle
Patterson. Both players add an element of speed to the attack, but
the Patriots were
forced into a field goal on their second march thanks to a handful of
phenomenal stops by Panthers All-Pro
linebacker Luke Kuechly near
the goal line. Not sure it means much, but we saw receiver Riley
McCarron take the field before Eric Decker for
New England.
3. It's fair to wonder what Carolina's line will look like
come Week 1. Right tackle Jeremiah
Sirles was carted off and quickly ruled out with a hamstring
injury. Typically a guard, Sirles was filling in for Taylor Moton,
who previously shifted over to replace banged-up bookend Matt Kalil.
For what it's worth, reserve tackle Blaine
Clausell was the next man up on the right side.
DENVER BRONCOS 29, WASHINGTON REDSKINS 17
1. Broncos general
manager John Elway has come under fire for shaky quarterback play and a
dilapidated offensive line of late, but his rookie class is poised to deliver a
shot of redemption. First-round pass rusher Bradley Chubb combined
with Von Miller for
a sack. Second-round wideout Courtland
Sutton showed an impressive catch radius and leaping ability on
a sideline catch over Pro Bowl cornerback Josh Norman.
Third-round running back Royce Freeman found
the end zone for the third straight week. Don't sleep on undrafted
scatback Phillip
Lindsay, who converted a third-and-3 with an 18-yard catch-and-run
on a wheel route to extend the opening drive. Lindsay has played well enough
not only to make the team, but also to carve out a role as a change-of-pace
option and a jitterbug mismatch out of the backfield.
2. Not to be outdone by the fresh faces, veteran
wideout Emmanuel
Sanders looks rejuvenated after a disappointing 2017 campaign.
At one point late in the second quarter, explosive Sanders touched the ball
four times on five Denver plays for 82 yards and a touchdown.
3. Before signing Adrian
Peterson to bolster a banged-up backfield, Redskins coach
Jay Gruden insisted Rob Kelley was
entrenched as the starter. Friday night's game suggested the situation is more
fluid, as Peterson followed up with an impressive
debut after wowing the
Redskins in a workout early this week. Former Washington star Clinton
Portis, operating as the Redskins'
sideline reporter, stated twice that Peterson is already the favorite to handle lead-back duties because
he's on the only runner on the roster who can get downhill in a hurry rather
than hesitating at the line of scrimmage. Starter or not, Peterson figures to
have a significant role in Gruden's backfield.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS 21, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 20
1. In his first game action since tearing his ACL early last
October, running back Dalvin Cook carried
the ball twice for 1 yard on the Vikings'
opening possession. Slated for just one series to knock off the rust after a
long layoff, Cook assured sideline reporter Ben Leber, "It felt great to
get banged around, tossed around. ... I'm ready." Cook is slated to open
the season as the starter, with veteran Latavius
Murray and impressive undrafted rookie Mike Boone also
in the mix.
2. Just days after cutting veteran Kai Forbath,
Coach Mike Zimmer is already stressing over replacement kicker Daniel
Carlson. Asked if he was concerned after the rookie missed a pair of
field goals in the first half, Zimmer replied, "Yes, yes.
Definitely."
3. If Brandon
Marshall's roster spot was in jeopardy, Friday night's first half
might have removed all doubt. Marshall led the first-team offense with three
receptions for 34 yards, including a pair of catches versus physical Pro Bowl cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
Keep an eye on 2017 seventh-round pick David Moore,
who shined for the second straight week. After catching a go-ahead touchdown in
the fourth quarter Friday night, Moore returned a punt 75 yards for another
score only to have it wiped out by penalty.
The reason venerable punter Jon Ryan was
released earlier this week? Hotshot rookie Michael
Dickson, who booted five balls for 268 yards (53.6 yards per punt),
including a pair of punts that bounced inside the 5-yard line, took hard right turns
at Albuquerque and rolled out of bounds near the goal line. The
Texas Bowl MVP is going to be fun to watch in Seattle.
NEW YORK GIANTS 22, NEW YORK JETS 16
1. The offseason certainly hasn't dampened Eli Manning's
chemistry with his receiving corps. The veteran passer looked sharp in his
first-half foray against the Jets,
completing 17 of 23 passes for 188 yards. He wasn't finicky in whom he targeted
as the whole wide receiving corps got involved -- except for Odell Beckham,
who didn't play. Sterling
Shepard caught seven passes for 78 yards. Unfortunately, tight
end Evan Engram left
in the first half after suffering a concussion. While there was plenty to like
about the offense, running back Jonathan
Stewart's struggles continued. The veteran was supposed to be a lock
for the No. 2 RB position behind rookie Saquon
Barkley, but a lost fumble coupled with another dire ground-pounding
effort (minus-7 yards on three carries) won't help his cause. Gallman and Jhurrell
Pressley did a better job.
2. Did Sam Darnold do enough to win the Jets' starting QB job? Jets Coach
Todd Bowles isn't one to announce big decisions without having time to stew
over the evidence, so don't expect an imminent decision. Darnold, based on his
playing time Friday in combination with a solid overall effort, appears to be
the favorite. He completed 8 of 16 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown over
nearly three full quarters of play. Teddy
Bridgewater also put in a steady effort in what was a much
smaller observation window against Giants reserves. He completed 11 of 15
passes for 104 yards, but couldn't punch it into the end zone late. Bridgewater
could see significant playing time next week as the Jets try
to figure out their biggest preseason question. Outside of the QB duel,
the Jets'
special teamers need to learn to hold onto the ball. Turnovers and fumbles on
special teams devastated their chances at a win. Thirteen penalties also didn't
help.
DETROIT LIONS 33, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 30
1. Following a highly ponderous weather delay, the Bucs
and Lions tussled
on a rain-soaked field in Tampa. I left this tilt concerned about Detroit's
starting defense. Commentator Bruce Arians complimented Ryan
Fitzpatrick's ability to throw a wet football -- that was part of it
-- but Tampa's starters simply rolled through Detroit, with runner Peyton Barber shredding
Matt Patricia's gang for 34 yards on an opening drive capped by the back's
14-yard scoring gallop. With the Saints, Eagles and Steelers on
tap during Jameis Winston's
suspension, the Bucs want to pound the ball to help Fitzpatrick. The old vet
can still wing it, though, unfurling a beautiful 37-yard rope to rookie Ronald Jones and
finishing with 6-of-7 passing for 87 yards on the night.
2. In a still-awkward scenario, franchise arm Jameis
Winston again took the field after Fitzy. He made a string of
big plays, hitting DeSean
Jackson in stride on a beautiful 19-yard inside fade before
galloping for another first down. Winston capped that march with a well-placed
back-shoulder scoring dart to a leaping Chris Godwin.
The CBS broadcast team noted that Fitzpatrick called last year's version of
Godwin "the most professionally complete rookie receiver he's ever
seen." This offense has plenty of talent, but it's up to coach Dirk
Koetter to overcome Winston's suspension and make this operation sing. That
said, Fitzpatrick looked the part on Friday night.
3. Matthew
Stafford's two-plus quarters of work took shape when the Lions
starter masterfully escaped pressure to unfurl an on-the-mark deep shot
to T.J. Jones.
The ball fell incomplete, but drew a monster 53-yard pass-interference call on
rookie Jordan
Whitehead. That drive netted just a field goal, though, giving
Detroit a pair of first-half marches that died inside Tampa's 10-yard line. It
was concerning to see Detroit run for just 2.8 yards per carry in the first
half, perhaps one reason Patricia yanked the entire starting offense back onto
the field after the break. Running out of the no-huddle, Stafford saw a
pristine, third-down toss to Marvin Jones flitter
through his hands. More work to be done for the Lions.
4. Broadcasting note: Half a quarter in, new CBS addition
Bruce Arians feels like a gem, offering brilliant little details with every
formation and snap. "Something new for Detroit. I haven't seen them in
this three-tight end jumbo set in a long time," Arians, the ex-Cardinals coach
casually noted. Cliche-spewing analysts will slowly phase out as NFL viewers
demands more than tropes and observations a half-attentive grandmother could
make. Arians fits the bill.
5. Patricia was visibly annoyed after Matt Prater's
botched, 62-yard field goal attempt at the end of the half fell into the arms
of Tampa's Adam
Humphries, who weaved and bobbed through a host of dazed Lions for
the 109-yard kick-six touchdown. Play of the night.
OAKLAND RAIDERS 13, GREEN BAY PACKERS 6
1. Raiders coach
Jon Gruden must be pleased with the sackalicious performance he saw from his
Khalil Mack-depleted pass rush, even if it came against a relatively
nameless Packers O-line.
Defensive end Fadol Brown had
1.5 sacks, 3 QB hits and four tackles and linebacker Calhoun added a sack
and two tackles for a loss in Oakland's five-sack night. It was an encouraging
performance for a defense that needs to improve drastically in order be
competitive in the AFC West.
2. The Packers deployed
their virtual "worst-case scenario" offense, and all things
considered, it didn't go all that bad. Brett Hundley endured
two sacks and was frequently pressured playing behind an offensive line
featuring no projected starters. He then lost running back Ty Montgomery to
a foot injury, hastening his descent into what was another challenging night.
Hundley completed 8 of 17 passes for 78 yards and never reached the red
zone. DeShone Kizer,
who completed 8 of 18 passes for 93 yards, looked very unpolished at times in
taking three sacks against roster-spot hunters. Based on Friday's performances,
Hundley still leads the backup QB race in Green Bay.
3. Jaire
Alexander looks poised to be a star in the Packers'
secondary. In his second game since returning from a nagging groin injury, the
first-round pick recorded his first interception off quarterback Connor Cook on
a nicely executed read. Sure, it wasn't the best pass of Cook's career, but it
showcased the ball-hawking skills that made Alexander such a valuable commodity
in the draft. Along with fellow rookie Josh Jackson,
Alexander is spearheading a pass protection youth movement in Green Bay that
should be interesting to watch this season.
4. Derek Carr's
preseason debut started with a bang on a 49-yard pass to Amari Cooper that
had to have riled up the new Gruden Grinders section in the Black Hole.
Unfortunately, Carr's first drive of 2018 sputtered to an unimpressive end when
the QB narrowly fumbled away the ball on a red zone sack. The Raiders settled
for a field goal and Carr parked it for the night after connecting on 2 of 3
passes for 68 yards. Cook had another disappointing performance in trying to
prove his backup credentials and EJ Manuel didn't
fare much better (8-of-12 passing for 87 yards). When asked after the game by
reporters if the Raiders'
2018 backup QB is currently on the roster, Gruden responded, "I don't
know." The Raiders really,
really need Carr to stay healthy this season. Running back Chris Warren had
another solid game, tallying 54 yards and a TD on 14 carries.
