The NFL preseason has begun, officially kicking off a period filled with anticipation and excitement for football fans everywhere. Last week, the Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears were the first to take the field, marking the commencement of preseason festivities. Over the past four days, the rest of the league joined the action, giving fans a taste of what's to come in the regular season.
Caleb Williams Takes Center Stage
One of the most notable performances came from Caleb Williams, who made his season debut against the Buffalo Bills. Williams played 18 snaps on Saturday, showcasing his potential by completing 4 of 7 pass attempts for an impressive 95 yards. He also demonstrated his dual-threat capability, adding 13 yards on the ground.
Bo Nix Makes an Impact
Bo Nix did not start the game, as Jarrett Stidham took the initial snaps. However, when Nix entered the game, he made the most of his opportunity, completing 15 of 21 pass attempts for 125 yards and throwing one touchdown. Nix also added 17 rushing yards to his stat line. According to TruMedia, his average yards per attempt stood at 5.4 yards. This performance certainly caught the eye of fans and analysts alike.
Mixed Results for McCarthy and Penix
J.J. McCarthy had a solid outing, completing 11 of 17 pass attempts for 188 yards, including two touchdowns and one interception. However, his late-game pass was intercepted by Jack Jones, which was a critical moment in the game.
On the other hand, Michael Penix Jr. connected on 9 of 16 pass attempts for 104 yards, putting forth a steady, albeit modest, performance.
Daniels and Maye Show Flashes
Jayden Daniels had a brief but notable appearance, completing 2 of 3 pass attempts for 45 yards. Despite a screen pass sailing over the intended receiver's head, Daniels managed to rush into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown.
Similarly, Drake Maye completed 2 of 3 pass attempts for 19 yards, showing glimpses of his potential in limited action.
Rookie Running Backs Shine
Three first-year running backs made a significant impact by finding the end zone. Bucky Irving, Audric Estime, and Jaylen Wright each crossed the goal line, making a strong case for their inclusion in the regular-season roster.
Noteworthy Individual Performances
Dominick Puni started at right guard for the San Francisco 49ers, while Austin Booker delivered an impressive performance with 2.5 sacks for the Bears. Dallas Turner also registered his first professional sack, playing for the Minnesota Vikings. Additionally, Josh Newton snagged an interception for Cincinnati, further highlighting the exceptional individual efforts seen across the league.
Key Absences and Touchdowns
In a notable absence, Kirk Cousins was sidelined due to an injury, which certainly raises questions about his availability moving forward. Meanwhile, Will Shipley and Jermaine Burton contributed to their teams' scoreboard by catching touchdowns, adding to the excitement of the preseason games.
As the NFL preseason continues, fans can expect to see more standout performances and critical moments that set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating regular season. The early displays of talent and the emergence of potential stars are just the beginning of the story this season.