The NFL preseason has reached the midway point with Week 2, which serves as the de facto “dress rehearsal” for starters to prepare for the beginning of the regular season — which is just three weeks away. For teams that don’t have joint practices this week, Week 2 of the preseason is critical.
The Saturday slate features eight games, with three in the afternoon, four taking place simultaneously in prime time, and the Cowboys and Chargers squaring off in the late window. The Broncos won’t play most of their starters in one of the two early games, but the Bills are set to give theirs — including Josh Allen — at least a little bit of run. Andy Reid indicated that the Chiefs’ starters will play the first half of their game against the Commanders, so we’ll get to see Patrick Mahomes and the new-look offense take the field again.
We’re likely to see at least some of Trey Lance against the Vikings later in the day, but San Francisco’s starters are not expected to see that much action. Tom Brady remains absent from the Buccaneers camp, so he won’t appear in the game against the Titans, but we should get another look at Malik Willis. Dallas and Los Angeles are two of the teams most aggressive about resting starters during preseason, so we should expect that game to be a battle of down-roster players fighting for spots on the team or in the rotation.
Below, we unveil all the must-see highlights from Friday’s action, the appetizer for the main course of games this weekend.
Schedule
Thursday
Bears 27, Seahawks 11 (Takeaways)
Friday
Patriots 20, Panthers 10 (Takeaways)
Packers 20, Saints 10 (Recap)
Texans 24, Rams 20 (Recap)
Saturday
Broncos at Bills, 1 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Lions at Colts, 1 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Commanders at Chiefs, 4 pm ET (Gametracker)
Steelers at Jaguars, 7 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Raiders at Dolphins, 7 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
49ers at Vikings, 7 pm ET (Gametracker)
Buccaneers at Titans, 7 pm ET (Gametracker)
Cowboys at Chargers, 10 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Sunday
Eagles at Browns, 1 p.m. ET (Game Tracker)
Bengals at Giants, 7 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Ravens at Cardinals, 8 p.m. ET (Game Tracker)
Monday
Falcons at Jets, 8 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Catch of the night!
The Houston Texans played their starters for the first half of this preseason contest against the Los Angeles Rams, and were able to take a 7-6 halftime lead thanks to this pinpoint catch by Nico Collins in the end zone. Collins just upstaged Derion Kendrick for the ball and came away with the score.
Collins is going to play a role in the Texans offense in 2022. Plays like this will get him more targets.
What makes this Etling touchdown run special? The play occurred during an interview with Aaron Rodgers on the Packers broadcast. Rodgers’ excitement with Etling scoring makes this play even more thrilling.
Jordan Love run
Love looked the part of an NFL quarterback on Friday night, finishing with 113 yards and a touchdown pass. He also showcased his running ability with this 11-yard run for a first down.
Chris Olave scores his first touchdown
Olave is giving Saints fans a preview of what’s to come when he lines up alongside Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry this fall. The first-round pick connected with Ian Book on a 20-yard touchdown with 12 seconds left in the first half — his first in a Saints uniform.
Olave had just one catch for four yards last week, but had two in the first half of this one.
Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe made a dangerous throw rolling to his left, and Hayes read the pass to take the ball the other way and tie the game. Zappe hasn’t been as sharp in his second outing this preseason, one in which Matt Patricia is calling plays.
Romeo Doub’s touchdown
There’s a spot for Doubs to earn snaps with the first team this year, and this touchdown catch from Jordan Love demonstrates why. Doubs came up with this impressive four-yard touchdown reception over Brian Allen to put the Packers up, 10-3, over the Saints in the second quarter. Love is starting to show confidence in the fourth-round rookie.
59-yard field goal from Wil Lutz
Lutz missed all of 2021 with a core muscle injury, as the Saints missed his reliability in the kicking department. He certainly looked like his old self with this 59-yard field goal to close out the first quarter.
Just 13 of 23 on 50-plus yard field goals in his career, Lutz hitting this kick is very encouraging.
Romeo Doubs making his case to move up the depth chart
Doubs was one of the young wide receivers Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers criticized during the week, so he was in the spotlight with the second teamers participating in the majority of this one. A 17-yard catch on the opening drive on a Jordan Love throw makes a strong impression, even if Doubs failed to corral a third-down pass earlier.
No longer a quarterback for the Saints, Hill has shifted his focus to tight end for the 2022 season. The No. 2 tight end in New Orleans, Hill made an early impact by catching a 10-yard pass from Ian Book. Hill adds an extra dimension to the Saints offense in his new role, and can still play wide receiver and running back in short-yardage situations.
The Patriots averaged just 1.9 yards per play in the first quarter with just 21 yards of offense, but Nelson Agholor changed that with this 45-yard catch on an impressive throw from Mac Jones. Going against a second-team defense or not, this is what Patriots fans want to see from their new-look offense.
New England scored a touchdown — a two-yard run from Ty Montgomery — three plays later.