Week 1 takeaways: Baker Mayfield, Browns off to picture-perfect begin
Final week’s Corridor of Fame sport was a style, however this week marks the complete return of soccer, albeit of the preseason selection. Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns began sizzling, as did each younger quarterbacks enjoying for the New York Giants and New York Jets.
All that and extra within the largest takeaways and fantasy soccer nuggets of the preseason’s opening week from NFL Nation:
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The Colts haven’t got a timetable on when Andrew Luck (calf) will return to follow, however they’re working beneath the expectation that the quarterback shall be prepared for the beginning of the common season. Till that occurs, although, Jacoby Brissett will stay the beginning QB. The offense had no success with Brissett on the sphere for the primary three sequence Thursday. The Colts totaled simply 22 yards with just one first down whereas Brissett was within the sport. Brissett continues to have his passes knocked down on the line of scrimmage, and he completed 2-of-5 for 21 yards. The Colts are anticipated to offer their subsequent replace on Luck’s standing as soon as the crew returns to follow Saturday. — Mike Wells
The Payments’ prime two picks up to now draft acquitted themselves properly. Ed Oliver held his personal in opposition to All-Professional guard Quenton Nelson, whereas Cody Ford was used at each proper guard and proper sort out all through Buffalo’s first few sequence. Josh Allen (6-for-11, 66 yards) confirmed the restraint the Payments want for him to develop, however he nonetheless took 4 pictures downfield — finishing one. Buffalo’s defensive depth regarded sturdy, albeit in opposition to a closely depleted Colts offense, and Devin Singletary (27 dashing yards, 21 receiving yards) is likely to be a PPR star within the making. The Payments’ offensive line, whereas improved on paper, nonetheless must jell because it battles by accidents. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
1:18
Daniel Jones finds Bennie Fowler at the back of the tip zone for a landing, finishing a 5-for-5 drive.
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It was just one sequence, however QB Sam Darnold displayed the traits that make you imagine he could be a franchise quarterback. He moved properly within the pocket, shopping for time and discovering his second and third reads — which he did so properly on the finish of his rookie season. Darnold (Four-for-5, 68 yards, one TD) nearly threw an interception on his first go, however he rebounded properly. This was an encouraging begin for Adam Gase’s offense, which did not have its two most completed gamers: working again Le’Veon Bell and middle Ryan Kalil. — Wealthy Cimini
Daniel Jones appears like the true deal. OK, it was solely the primary preseason sport. It was just one drive by which he was on the sphere. It would not matter. What the signal-caller did — 5-for-5 passing for 67 yards and a landing — in his solely drive was spectacular. Jones made some throws into tight home windows and did not flinch beneath the highlight in his first foray right into a stay NFL sport setting. — Jordan Raanan
The Redskins’ quarterback competitors remained in impartial. Colt McCoy did not play, however he additionally did not lose any floor. Dwayne Haskins confirmed that he’s not able to be a Week 1 starter — which the crew already knew. Case Keenum, who performed with largely backups as three-fifths of the beginning line sat, didn’t distinguish himself. He accomplished Four of 9 passes, with 46 of his 60 yards on one landing completion. Keenum did not have a lot time to throw on some performs due to the offensive line, so it is exhausting to precisely decide, however he did not separate himself from the pack. Keenum nonetheless is studying the offense; he’ll want a stronger displaying in subsequent weeks to earn the job. — John Keim
Baker Mayfield performed just one sequence, however what a sequence it was for the second-year quarterback. Using a hurry-up, no-huddle tempo, Mayfield took the Browns 89 yards down the sphere in solely 2 minutes, 13 seconds, finishing 5 of 6 passes and capping the breakneck drive with a 21-yard landing strike to Rashard Higgins. Mayfield did it with out Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, as each star receivers sat out. Mayfield regarded moderately snug working out of tempo, which he performed in nearly completely at Oklahoma. In Beckham, Landry and Higgins, Mayfield has the weapons. A persistently aggressive, hurry-up element might make Mayfield and the Cleveland assault all of the extra, properly, harmful. — Jake Trotter
zero:23
N’Keal Harry makes an influence in his first sport in a Patriots uniform, getting up for a two-handed seize from Brian Hoyer.
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First-round choose N’Keal Harry, who surprisingly performed after showing to tweak one thing in his proper leg on Tuesday, made two wonderful catches earlier than limping off and getting checked out by the athletic coaching and medical workers. Harry did not return. Each catches mirrored how his measurement (6-foot-Three, 225 kilos) and physicality might assist the Patriots this season, as fellow huge receiver Maurice Harris has in contrast Harry’s physique sort to that of former NFL nice Anquan Boldin. However Harry’s damage standing bears watching. It’s commendable that he needed to play by damage within the preseason opener, though now the choice might sideline him if the damage lingers. — Mike Reiss
The excellent news for the Lions is it may possibly’t get a lot worse. It is preseason. Most starters did not play. However make no mistake about it, the Patriots’ 31-Three annihilation of the Lions raised critical issues in regards to the depth of the roster, and it is likely to be tough sufficient that basic supervisor Bob Quinn ought to a minimum of have a look at the waiver wire. Backup tackles Tyrell Crosby and Andrew Donnal struggled all evening lengthy in opposition to whoever the Patriots lined up in opposition to them. The offensive line allowed 9 sacks — a quantity greater than the seven passes Detroit quarterbacks accomplished. The secondary was routinely crushed on routes by New England’s receivers. And the backup quarterback state of affairs might be worrisome. — Michael Rothstein
1:16
In his first look with the Dolphins, Josh Rosen goes 13-for-20, throwing for 191 yards with an interception.
Huge receiver Russell Gage continues to point out up. He’s making powerful catches down the sphere and working sharp routes, as he confirmed in Miami. He has displayed nice fingers, even making grabs out of bounds. Why is that this vital? Properly, Gage is enjoying the identical function that star Julio Jones could be enjoying, however Jones is rehabbing a foot damage and awaiting a brand new contract. Jones will not play within the preseason. And if the contract would not get resolved by Sept. Eight, there’s an opportunity Jones will not be on the sphere in opposition to the Vikings within the opener. Gage must be able to contribute. Even when Jones is again on the sphere for the common season, because the Falcons count on, having one other succesful goal equivalent to Gage could be a pleasant asset. — Vaughn McClure
Josh Rosen is displaying continued progress in his bid to search out Ryan Fitzpatrick and win the Dolphins’ beginning quarterback job. We noticed a (largely) good model of Rosen on Thursday as he overcame poor safety to guide a number of sturdy drives down the sphere. He completed 13-of-20 for 191 yards and a foul interception. However he will get a thumbs-up for making sufficient flashes out of his six drives within the second and third quarters. Fitzpatrick received the beginning and regarded OK in restricted motion (two drives, 2-of-5, 20 yards). Rosen’s day provides much more intrigue to a tightening QB battle. — Cameron Wolfe
zero:29
Panthers rookie Brian Burns comes up with two sacks in opposition to Bears’ quarterback Chase Daniel in his first NFL sport.
First-round draft choose Brian Burns was spectacular. The Panthers chosen the previous Florida State edge rusher with the 16th choose to shore up a protection that completed 27th within the league in sacks final season. Burns continued to point out his effectiveness as a velocity pass-rusher in opposition to Chicago with two sacks; he used a pleasant spin transfer to register his first and his velocity to tally his second. Marquis Haynes additionally had two sacks because the Panthers debuted their Three-Four base protection. — David Newton
Since Bears coach Matt Nagy opted to relaxation a lot of the starters (those who did play noticed solely temporary motion), the eye at Soldier Discipline centered on — you guessed it — the kicker battle. The evening belonged to Elliott Fry, who whipped the group right into a frenzy when he hit from 43 yards — the identical actual distance and route as Cody Parkey’s double-doink miss in final season’s playoff loss to Philadelphia. Fry additionally made his lone PAT try. Then again, Eddy Pineiro had an uneven Bears preseason debut, crusing a 48-yard try huge left earlier than connecting on a 23-yard chip shot. — Jeff Dickerson
Backup quarterback Ryan Tannehill was sharp in his debut with the Titans. He ended the day having accomplished 12 of his 16 go makes an attempt for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Tannehill’s greatest throws got here on a crisp go to Kalif Raymond on a submit route for a 19-yard achieve and a superbly positioned drop shot to Anthony Firkser on a seam route. He might have added a 3rd landing however underthrew Taywan Taylor, who dropped the go in the long run zone after slowing down. The Titans needed to improve their backup quarterback place. Judging from Tannehill’s debut, they’ve completed their mission. — Turron Davenport
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The damage to Nate Sudfeld’s non-throwing wrist places the Eagles quarterback state of affairs behind Carson Wentz in a state of flux. Sudfeld, the previous sixth-round select of Indiana, was in line to switch Nick Foles because the No. 2 QB, however he left the sphere carrying an air forged. That backup submit has proved very important for Philly over the previous two years and stays vital given Wentz’s damage historical past. If Sudfeld is sidelined for an prolonged time frame, search for the Eagles so as to add competitors to a quarterback room that additionally contains Cody Kessler and rookie Clayton Thorson. — Tim McManus
zero:16
Lamar Jackson concludes his preseason reps with a 10-yard landing to Willie Snead IV within the first quarter.
Three of the Jaguars’ prime 5 draft picks didn’t play due to accidents, however the two that did had been actually spectacular. Defensive finish Josh Allen, the crew’s first-round choose, beat the block of tight finish Nick Boyle to sort out working again Gus Edwards for a 2-yard loss on his first NFL snap. Allen additionally received a stress on QB Lamar Jackson earlier than being taken out. It was good to see Allen flash in his restricted enjoying time. Working again Ryquell Armstead (fourth spherical) ran exhausting and in addition confirmed some elusiveness with a nifty transfer to keep away from an unblocked linebacker within the backfield. Armstead’s numbers weren’t nice (eight carries for 22 yards), but it surely was the way in which he ran — bodily, breaking some tackles — that’s encouraging. The Jaguars are hoping Armstead (who left the sport and was evaluated for a concussion) can turn out to be the first backup to Leonard Fournette. — Mike DiRocco
Lamar Jackson carried the momentum from a robust coaching camp into Thursday’s preseason opener. Counting on his arm and never his legs, Jackson accomplished Four of 6 passes (66.7%) for 59 yards and one landing whereas trying no runs. His greatest throw got here when he hit Chris Moore for 30 yards alongside the sideline. It’s the kind of go that Jackson generally overthrew final season. In main Baltimore to scores on two of his three sequence, Jackson put collectively a efficiency that confirmed he’s very a lot in control of the offense. “Lamar was calm, collected, poised and had nice management on the market,” offensive sort out Ronnie Stanley mentioned. “Simply directing the offense, he is aware of what to do. He has full confidence in himself and in our teammates.” — Jamison Hensley
The Texans did not make it out of their preseason opener unscathed. Slot receiver Keke Coutee needed to be helped off the sphere in Inexperienced Bay after he was tackled to the bottom in the course of the second quarter after catching a go. The 2018 fourth-round choose instantly grabbed his leg and didn’t return to the sport. Coutee later tweeted after which deleted, “Minor setback, nothing main.” Coutee confirmed flashes of excellence final season however missed all however six video games attributable to accidents to each of his hamstrings. Earlier within the week, receiver DeAndre Hopkins referred to as Coutee “one of the vital improved gamers on this offense.” And quarterback Deshaun Watson mentioned he has observed that the slot receiver has realized easy methods to learn defenses and “do precisely what the offense has been wanting him to do.” — Sarah Barshop
A complete of 26 gamers sat out Thursday evening — 16 of them had been possible starters — so there wasn’t a lot to guage on the prime of the roster. However should you’re searching for one thing constructive, there’s this: Two issues the Packers did not do final season — take the ball away and make performs on particular groups — went their approach Thursday evening. They got here up with two first-half interceptions (one by rookie sixth-round choose Ka’dar Hollman and one other by second-year cornerback Chandon Sullivan) and a special-teams landing when Equanimeous St. Brown recovered a muffed punt in the long run zone. DeShone Kizer quarterbacked the Packers within the first half with first rate numbers — Eight-of-13 for 102 yards and a landing — however at this level, there’s not a lot distinction between Kizer and third-stringer Tim Boyle (who threw two landing passes). — Rob Demovsky
With Melvin Gordon lacking his crew’s preseason opener attributable to a contract dispute, the remainder of the working again group picked up the slack. The Chargers completed with 179 dashing yards on 28 makes an attempt (6.Four per carry) in opposition to the Cardinals. Rookie QB Easton Stick led the cost with 51 dashing yards, together with an explosive, 31-yard scramble for a rating. Justin Jackson additionally had a powerful run, bowling over an Arizona defender on his method to a Four-yard rating. With Gordon’s holdout presumably lasting into the common season, the Chargers will proceed to seek for efficient choices at working again to assist fill the void till the Wisconsin product returns. — Eric D. Williams
1:06
Kyler Murray runs his first drive in an NFL uniform, which leads to a Cardinals’ punt.
Despite the fact that he did not rating and even get the ball previous midfield, rookie quarterback Kyler Murray regarded crisp, sharp and environment friendly. He formally went 6-for-7 for 44 yards, spreading the ball all around the subject and evading stress utilizing an unmatched escapability. However for nearly as good as Murray regarded, the first-team protection regarded dangerous, letting the Chargers transfer down the sphere with relative ease. However the story for the Cardinals was Murray’s displaying in his first NFL motion. — Josh Weinfuss
When Vic Fangio was employed by the Broncos, he emphasised the significance of avoiding “dying by inches” — the little errors and flaws in fundamentals that trigger groups to lose video games. Two video games into the preseason, the Broncos have watched not inches, however misplaced yards, price them dearly. After eight penalties within the Corridor of Fame sport, the Broncos had been flagged 15 occasions within the loss to the Seahawks, with 11 of these penalties being accepted. The beginning offense, led by quarterback Joe Flacco, put collectively a 12-play scoring drive to open the sport. The Broncos’ go rush on protection additionally had its moments, however the flags ultimately overwhelmed their efforts. They actually will not agree with all the penalties, however with three preseason video games nonetheless to play, the Broncos should not the essentially sound operation Fangio desires. — Jeff Legwold
The Seahawks’ backup quarterback competitors is nearer than it appeared a day in the past. Earlier than Seattle’s preseason opener, it will have been tough to think about Paxton Lynch beating out Geno Smith based mostly on how every has regarded two weeks into coaching camp. However Lynch closed the hole a minimum of somewhat with a robust evening in opposition to his former crew, going 11-of-15 for 109 yards with a passing and dashing landing. He was decisive and largely correct, save for a misfire on his first try. In the meantime, Smith went Three-of-9 throughout a nondescript first half and is now headed for surgical procedure to take away a cyst in his knee, which the crew hopes will solely preserve him out for a couple of week. That’ll give Lynch a chance to make up extra floor as the 2 vie for the lone backup spot behind Russell Wilson. — Brady Henderson