Week Three preseason takeaways: Browns may need the defensive muscle to match their offense
It is Week Three of the NFL preseason, once we’re presupposed to get essentially the most critical take a look at groups earlier than the common season begins. Except, in fact, you are enjoying on an 80-yard subject in Winnipeg — because the Oakland Raiders and Inexperienced Bay Packers did Thursday — and also you sit nearly all of your starters. Elsewhere, the Cleveland Browns’ first-team protection had 5 sacks and pitched a first-half shutout, Daniel Jones continues to impress for the New York Giants, Tom Brady confirmed off his “velocity” for the New England Patriots and Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers was sidelined after an damage to his left foot.
We’ve all of that and extra within the largest takeaways and fantasy soccer nuggets of the preseason’s third week from NFL Nation:
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NYG-CIN | WSH-ATL | CAR-NE | BAL-PHI | GB-OAK | JAX-MIA
TB-CLE | BUF-DET
Friday’s video games
Regardless of a staff that options Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland coach Freddie Kitchens maintains that the power of his squad is definitely alongside the defensive position. That was on full show in Tampa, because the Browns beginning entrance sacked Bucs QB Jameis Winston 5 occasions whereas pitching a shutout within the first half earlier than giving approach to the reserves. With Mayfield and OBJ, amongst others, Cleveland figures to have the offensive firepower to attain with anybody within the league. If its defensive entrance dominates prefer it did Friday, too, look out. — Jake Trotter
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The Bucs had safety points in Week 2, however this was a nightmare, with the first-team offensive line surrendering 5 sacks of Jameis Winston within the first half. Final week’s points have been extra a perform of busted protections and failing to account for additional rushers, however this week, the group was bodily overpowered. This was one of many worst video games in latest reminiscence for each beginning tackles Demar Dotson and Donovan Smith, and Alex Cappa didn’t stay as much as the reward the teaching workers and entrance workplace bestowed on him in camp. Final week, it appeared like the difficulty was with depth. Now it is clear that this complete group, aside from Ali Marpet, is struggling. Granted, they could not face a entrance seven nearly as good as this one within the common season, however it’s turning into increasingly clear this might be their Achilles’ heel. — Jenna Laine
Zero:38
Lions center linebacker Jarrad Davis is carted off with a proper foot damage and middle Frank Ragnow is helped off the sector with a proper leg damage.
Let’s begin with the positives. The Payments gave LeSean McCoy (six carries, 37 yards) and Frank Gore (eight carries, 57 yards) loads of run within the first preseason sport during which each backs have been lively. Isaiah McKenzie and Duke Williams every scored and have separated themselves as the ultimate two receivers price 53-man roster consideration. However you may’t ignore the negatives. Tre’Davious White and Quinton Spain each left the sport with quad and ankle accidents, respectively, the Payments’ protection allowed the primary beginning quarterback it is confronted this season to finish 12-of-19 passes for 137 yards and a landing, and Josh Allen turned in his worst sport of the preseason — highlighted by an across-his-body interception graciously negated by a defensive penalty. The ultimate roster is all however set, with troublesome selections coming at offensive line, linebacker, defensive finish and broad receiver. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Matthew Stafford appeared sharp in what is probably going his lone look this preseason (12-19-Zero-137, 1 TD), however any reduction over how he performed is overshadowed by what the Lions may need misplaced. Center linebacker Jarrad Davis was carted off the sector with what seemed to be a proper foot/ankle damage and could have an MRI on the foot Saturday, based on a supply. Heart Frank Ragnow appeared to injure his proper knee and went straight to the locker room. The pair of former first-round picks have been the anchors of the staff’s linebacking corps and offensive line — two of the shakier teams Detroit has. If both one misses vital time, it may trigger issues for your complete unit due to their particular person roles. Detroit must regulate — and quick — if both damage finally ends up being one that may maintain them out to begin the common season. — Michael Rothstein
Thursday’s video games
Zero:35
Daniel Jones connects with Brittan Golden and Darius Slayton to arrange the Giants’ landing, then hits Golden once more earlier than the half.
Daniel Jones retains checking packing containers. The rookie confirmed bodily toughness and moxie in his first street preseason sport. He misplaced a fumble on a sack, however adopted it up by making some powerful throws on a landing drive. The rookie took over the offense after one Eli Manning collection. Manning went Four-of-Eight passing for 41 yards, which resulted in a subject purpose. Jones one-upped him. He was 9-of-11 passing for 141 yards. He has accomplished a powerful 25 of 30 passes for 369 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions via three preseason video games. — Dianna Russini
It was a powerful night time for a number of notable members of the Bengals’ draft class. Quarterback Ryan Finley (fourth spherical) accomplished 14 of 20 passes for 155 yards. Rodney Anderson (sixth spherical) starred in his Bengals debut. He caught all 4 of his targets for 51 yards. And Michael Jordan (fourth spherical) began at left guard and seems to be the front-runner to carry that spot when the common season begins. Regardless that first-round decide Jonah Williams will seemingly be out for the season due to a shoulder damage, Thursday confirmed causes to be optimistic about this yr’s draft class. — Ben Child
The Redskins’ offense obtained a lift from second-year again Derrius Guice and the protection appeared robust once more. However the first three preseason video games haven’t engendered loads of confidence within the quarterback place. The Redskins simply do not feel rookie Dwayne Haskins is shut; he appears sharp on some throws — and the long-range potential is clear — however they need him to grasp extra of the offense and the nuances of the place. That is fantastic. The issue is, Case Keenum hasn’t appeared sharp. At occasions he strikes the offense, however he typically forces performs that result in errors. If Colt McCoy returns to full well being, he’d seemingly get the job. However no person is aware of when that may occur. Keenum must show he is a worthy starter. — John Keim
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The Falcons seem to have a kicking downside. Giorgio Tavecchio, whom the staff turned the kicking duties over to after saying goodbye to dependable Matt Bryant, missed a 39-yarder on his first try towards the Redskins on Thursday night time. It won’t have been a priority had Tavecchio not missed two from 52 yards towards the New York Jets final week, one among which was blocked and the opposite which sailed broad left. Tavecchio, who additionally missed a 54-yarder brief within the Corridor of Fame sport towards Denver, took possession for the misses towards the Jets and vowed to appropriate the issue. It is honest to surprise if it is price bringing the 44-year-old Bryant again for one final run after he made 20 of 21 subject objectives final season, together with a season-long 57-yarder. Tavecchio is because of make $645,000 this season. Bryant made $Three.5 million complete final season with a base wage of $1.1 million. Of us across the league count on Bryant to be on some staff’s roster after Week 1, because the veteran’s wage in Week 1 can be totally assured. Possibly the Falcons will revisit after the season opener at Minnesota, if it is not addressed now. — Vaughn McClure
Zero:49
Cam Newton suffers a foot damage after being sacked in his preseason debut towards the Patriots, then leaves Gillette Stadium in a strolling boot.
This begins and ends with quarterback Cam Newton’s left foot. Sure, quite a bit went unsuitable for the Panthers in Thursday’s loss to New England. The road gave up three first-half sacks, generated two first downs and 29 yards within the first half and 63 yards after three quarters. Rookie deal with Greg Little left within the fourth quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. Some issues went proper too, particularly first-round decide Brian Burns choosing up his third and fourth sacks of the exhibition season. However Newton leaving after a sack on the finish of the primary quarter of his preseason debut with a foot damage is the headline. Backup quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Will Grier are inexperienced. The success of the Panthers will depend on Newton, solely now add a foot damage to the priority over whether or not his surgically repaired proper shoulder will maintain up. The damage did not seem critical, however the 2015 NFL MVP did not return to the sector after leaving beneath his personal energy. He has a historical past along with his left ankle, which he had surgically repaired in 2014. Is Newton turning into fragile at 30? Are the 1,221 hits he has taken since 2011, greater than any quarterback throughout that span, beginning to take their toll? Coach Ron Rivera mentioned earlier within the week he’d be holding his breath if Newton received hit. He must be holding his breath hoping that Newton is all proper. — David Newton
Zero:40
Tom Brady methodically works the Patriots down the sector to the top zone as they take a 7-Zero lead over the Panthers.
Tom Brady made his preseason debut, and although he completed Eight-of-12 for 75 yards in three collection of labor, the spotlight really got here along with his legs. Brady joked this offseason about his gradual velocity ranking within the Madden online game, and the way he was sooner than he has been prior to now, then confirmed it (type of) by lumbering to transform a third-and-Three with a Three-yard rush to maneuver the sticks. That was a giant play to increase what became a 15-play landing drive, culminating in fullback James Develin’s 1-yard TD dive. Brady wasn’t throwing to his full arsenal of receivers, as Julian Edelman, Demaryius Thomas and Josh Gordon (non-football damage checklist) did not play, however he was environment friendly, as normal, main the assault. The following time Brady takes the sector will seemingly be the regular-season opener Sept. Eight towards the visiting Steelers. — Mike Reiss
Thursday night time made it clear — the Ravens will depend on rookie receivers this season. First-round decide Marquise “Hollywood” Brown caught three passes for 17 yards, however this efficiency went past the numbers. Brown, who was making his debut after being introduced again slowly from offseason foot surgical procedure, confirmed the flexibility to get constantly open and nice quickness in getting out and in of cuts. Miles Boykin, a third-round choice, continued a powerful summer season with a 44-yard catch. He used his dimension to interrupt a deal with and his velocity to burst up the sideline for additional yards. Beginning quarterback Lamar Jackson was held out the third preseason sport, however he received an up-close take a look at his playmaking targets. The Ravens’ high three broad receivers on the roster are Boykin, Brown and Willie Snead. — Jamison Hensley
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5 days out of retirement, 40-year-old quarterback Josh McCown received the majority of the snaps towards Baltimore in a weather-shortened sport and lit it up. He completed 17-of-24 for 192 yards with two touchdowns, together with a great thing about a cross down the proper sideline for rookie JJ Arcega-Whiteside that resulted in a 20-yard rating. Accidents to Nate Sudfeld and Cody Kessler this preseason prompted the Eagles to lure McCown out of retirement to, no less than quickly, again up Carson Wentz. Thursday’s efficiency suggests he is as much as the duty.– Tim McManus
First-year coach Matt LaFleur referred to as an audible and yanked his starters over subject situations in Winnipeg, the place the sport was performed on an adjusted 80-yard subject due to unhealthy spots ultimately zones the place the CFL goalposts are usually anchored. So any hope of seeing Aaron Rodgers in motion glided by the wayside. There is a good probability Rodgers will go into the Sept. 5 regular-season opener with none preseason motion. On the plus facet, he needs to be wholesome so long as the again tightness that saved him out of final week’s sport does not flare up. The star of the night time was WR/KR Trevor Davis, who made his preseason debut and did all of it with 5 catches for 78 yards and a landing, an 18-yard run on an end-around and a 17-yard punt return. Additionally, Tim Boyle made a strong bid for the No. 2 quarterback job with a pair of landing passes. — Rob Demovsky
Good luck to Jon Gruden, Mike Mayock & Co. in getting one thing helpful out of this tape. In addition to leaving 24 gamers again in Oakland, the Raiders who did play did so on a brief subject. Yeah, divots in the course of every finish zone, the place the CFL goalposts are positioned, made the sector unsafe. The enjoying floor was restricted to 80 yards, with every 10-yard line serving because the reconfigured purpose strains. Possibly it is good tape for the Enviornment League, however the Raiders have some onerous selections to make with their remaining cuts. Not less than Keith Smith, who missed most of camp recovering from a torn meniscus in his knee, scored a landing on a 15-yard catch and run, serving discover to undrafted rookie Alec Ingold to gradual his roll. And for what it is price, Nathan Peterman received nearly all of work at quarterback after Mike Glennon began and performed the primary quarter. — Paul Gutierrez
Rookie defensive finish Josh Allen overshadowed QB Nick Foles’ first sport snaps in a Jaguars uniform with a dominating efficiency. He led the Jaguars with 4 tackles (two for loss) and likewise had two QB hits. In the course of the first half he pressured Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick into a foul throw, beat veteran tight finish Dwayne Allen for a deal with for loss, hammered Fitzpatrick as he threw the ball to power an incompletion, pressured Fitzpatrick out of the pocket right into a sack by Dawuane Smoot and dropped into protection within the flat and tackled working again Kalen Ballage for a loss. He was the principle cause the Dolphins’ offense managed lower than 50 yards within the first half. Although Allen performed concurrently defensive ends Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue early within the sport, he did not have these guys on the sector with him within the second quarter and nonetheless made performs. If he is capable of play near this stage within the common season the Jaguars’ defensive entrance might be nearly as good or higher than it was in 2017, when Campbell, Ngakoue, Malik Jackson and Dante Fowler Jr. mixed for 26.5 sacks. — Mike DiRocco
Zero:27
Josh Rosen steps up within the pocket and completes a cross on the run to Isaiah Ford for a 39-yard achieve.
Ryan Fitzpatrick has been the chief within the clubhouse for the Dolphins’ quarterback battle all offseason, however Josh Rosen gave followers some cause for hope. He piloted a 99-yard landing drive within the second half during which he confirmed off his pocket presence, mobility, arm expertise and decision-making. The most important factor for Rosen is he is persevering with to enhance. Fitzpatrick had some struggles early however led a landing drive of his personal. Fitzpatrick may find yourself the Week 1 starter, however Rosen appears like he might be prepared before later. That is excellent news for Dolphins followers. — Cameron Wolfe