Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams appeared robust Saturday in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals within the second week of the 2024 NFL preseason. The remainder of the league continued matchups on Saturday and can wrap up Sunday (full schedule beneath).
Week 2 of the preseason typically serves as a gown rehearsal for the common season. Our NFL Nation reporters inform you what it’s essential know from every recreation as we head towards cut-down day on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Saturday’s Video games
Bears: It took Caleb Williams and Chicago’s beginning offense nicely into the second quarter to get right into a groove after starting with three consecutive three-and-outs. Rookie Rome Odunze bought issues shifting on a 16-yard finish round after veteran vast receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen exited the sport.
Williams then drew a 43-yard defensive go interference when concentrating on Tyler Scott on a deep ball, which bought the Bears their first journey to the pink zone, leading to a subject objective.
After connecting with Williams on a 45-yard dime, Odunze arrange the Bears contained in the pink zone on the offense’s fifth drive. Had Odunze saved his toes in bounds, the No. 9 decide would have recorded his first NFL landing on a great thing about a throw from Williams within the nook of the tip zone.
Two performs later, Williams confirmed off his potential to scramble and hold his eyes down subject whereas operating in a 7-yard landing, his first of the preseason after 23 snaps in opposition to the Bengals.
Defensively, Chicago took no mercy on Cincinnati’s backups by drawing up 10 blitzes in opposition to Bengals third-string quarterback Logan Woodside — together with three nook blitzes from Kyler Gordon, Josh Blackwell and Reddy Steward with the latter two serving to produce two interceptions for the Bears protection. — Courtney Cronin
Subsequent Sport: at Chiefs (Thursday, Aug. 22, 8:20 p.m.)
Bengals: The beginning cornerback battle was alleged to be essentially the most compelling side of Saturday’s preseason recreation in opposition to the Bears. However DJ Turner and Dax Hill — the 2 combatants for the beginning job reverse outdoors cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt — did not get an opportunity to make a play on the ball.
Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams did not goal both of them earlier than Turner and Hill had been changed.
Rookie Josh Newton, a fifth-round draft pick of TCU, had an excellent and unhealthy second early within the recreation. He had a giant go deflection on a ball supposed for Bears vast receiver DJ Moore, who simply signed a $110 million extension. However later within the recreation, he was whistled for defensive go interference on a deep ball supposed for Chicago’s Tyler Scott.
Newton might push for a beginning job ultimately, however the battle nonetheless seems to be between Hill and Turner. — Ben Child
Subsequent Sport: vs. Colts (Thursday, Aug. 22, 8 p.m.)
Texans: The Texans protection stole the present — to the purpose that they restricted the offense’s reps — because the starters solely performed the primary quarter. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. began the sport with an nearly interception return for a landing however dropped Daniel Jones’ go. The following defensive possession nevertheless, security Jalen Pitre did what Stingley nearly did and intercepted Jones and returned it for a rating. The following drive, the Giants’ offense crossed mid-field however Stingley ended the possession with an interception. The Texans’ beginning offense did not rating however quarterback C.J. Stroud was environment friendly going 7-for-10 for 88 yards. The unit solely bought one drive and reached the six-yard line however Stroud threw an incompletion ending their sole full drive. General, each models flashed what might make them potent within the season. — D.J. Bien-Aime
Subsequent Sport: vs. Rams (Saturday, Aug. 24, 1 p.m.)
Giants: Nothing that unfolded early in Daniel Jones’ first preseason motion — since tearing his ACL final November — will make the Giants really feel higher about their beginning quarterback, particularly contemplating they appeared for his potential substitute this offseason. Jones threw two interceptions on his first three drives, together with an ill-advised decide six from his personal finish zone. He was really fortunate it wasn’t three for 3 as a result of his first go hit cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. within the chest. Maybe it was rust. Or nerves. Or just that is why the Giants had been on the lookout for his substitute. At the least Jones and the Giants had been capable of depart with a greater style of their mouths after they performed a a lot better second quarter. Jones hit Darius Slayton deep down the proper sideline for a 44-yard acquire and led a pair of scoring drives. He appeared wholesome and moved nicely when essential, which might be most essential of all. Vast receiver Malik Nabers additionally confirmed the hype with 4 catches for 54 yards in an up-and-down afternoon for the beginning offense. — Jordan Raanan
Subsequent Sport: at Jets (Saturday. Aug. 24, 7:30 p.m.)
Ravens: Trenton Simpson is able to exchange Patrick Queen at inside linebacker. Simpson made impression performs everywhere in the subject and stopped the Falcons’ first three drives. He recorded a quarterback hit on third down of the opening collection, made an open-field deal with of quarterback Taylor Heinicke on third down of the second drive and broke up a go 10 yards downfield on third down of the third possession.
A 3rd-round decide from a 12 months in the past, Simpson has gone from a query mark firstly of the offseason to one of many crew’s high performers this summer season. He solely performed a complete of 46 defensive snaps final 12 months as a result of he was behind Queen, who made his first Professional Bowl final season. Now, after Queen signed with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, Simpson is one in every of two new starters on a protection that ranked first within the NFL in fewest factors allowed (16.8), most sacks (60) and most takeaways (60). Whether or not it has been a preseason recreation or a coaching camp follow, Simpson has been quick and aggressive, changing into a dependable playmaker subsequent to center linebacker Roquan Smith. — Jamison Hensley
Subsequent recreation: at Inexperienced Bay (Saturday, Aug. 24, 1 p.m. ET)
Falcons: The Falcons did not swimsuit up round 40 gamers, together with all their starters and lots of of their key second-team gamers — like rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. That left a bunch of younger gamers trying to impress for a backup position or a spot on the 53-man roster.
The largest impressions made had been by Atlanta’s rookie defensive linemen: Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus. Each have needed to work arduous in follow to get extra reps and Orhorhoro has began to get constant runs with the second crew, whereas Dorlus has began to make appearances there, as nicely. On Saturday, Orhorhoro had an enormous sack within the first quarter and Dorlus was hustling everywhere in the subject, with a fumble restoration and a deal with for a loss. That is encouraging for a crew that immediately has a number of optimism up entrance on protection with the addition of edge rusher Matthew Judon. Vast receiver Chris Blair and cornerback Natrone Brooks had massive video games, too, making a case for themselves to change into a Falcon — or discover a spot elsewhere after Aug. 27. — Marc Raimondi
Subsequent Sport: vs. Jaguars (Friday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m. ET)
Thursday’s recreation
Eagles: Quarterback Jalen Hurts and the remainder of the offensive starters bought the evening off. A handful of regulars noticed motion on protection, in the meantime, as defensive coordinator Vic Fangio continued to kind by way of the competitors at a few key spots, together with linebacker and cornerback. A number of linebackers helped their trigger in opposition to the Patriots. Zack Baun, who has seen a lot of the first-team reps this summer season alongside Devin White, confirmed good pursuit to cease operating again Rhamondre Stevenson for no acquire early within the first quarter. Nakobe Dean spent a lot of his evening within the New England backfield and completed with a team-high 5 tackles.
There have been constructive developments at edge rusher as nicely. Nolan Smith Jr., a first-round decide in 2023, registered his second sack of the preseason. Free agent acquisition Bryce Huff was principally a go rush specialist throughout his time with the Jets, creating uncertainty as as to whether he might be a three-down participant. Time will inform on that, however he made an excellent learn to close down a brief go to the proper facet within the first quarter and recorded three tackles in restricted motion. — Tim McManus
Subsequent recreation: vs. Vikings (Saturday, Aug. 24, 1 p.m. ET)
Patriots: Rookie quarterback Drake Maye performed in 4 collection over two quarters — totaling 25 snaps — and the outcomes (albeit in opposition to Eagles backups) sparked hope for the Patriots’ future. After enjoying only one collection final week, Maye helped lead the offense to 10 factors — a 51-yard Joey Slye subject objective after which a 4-yard TD run from himself. He entered firstly of the second quarter rather than starter Jacoby Brissett (3 collection, 3-of-7 for 17 yards, 1 interception).
Maye’s stat line — 6-of-11 for 47 yards, along with 15 yards on 4 carries — did not essentially replicate the calmness of his efficiency as he patiently went by way of his progressions. For instance, he delivered a pinpoint deep ball within the third quarter to diving rookie vast receiver Javon Baker that was dropped. Had that connection been made — and Maye could not have thrown it any higher — it could have been a headline play. — Mike Reiss
Subsequent recreation: at Commanders (Sunday, Aug. 25, 8 p.m. ET)
Saturday video games
New York Giants at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET
Detroit Lions at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, 4 p.m. ET
Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns, 4:25 p.m. ET
Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans, 7 p.m. ET
Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts, 7 p.m. ET
Washington Commanders at Miami Dolphins, 7 p.m. ET
Buffalo Payments at Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 p.m. ET
New York Jets at Carolina Panthers, 7 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Chargers, 7:05 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Jaguars, 7:30 p.m. ET
Dallas Cowboys at Las Vegas Raiders, 10 p.m. ET
Sunday video games
Inexperienced Bay Packers at Denver Broncos, 8 p.m. ET
New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers, 8 p.m. ET
