The only important takeaways from Week 2 of the preseason
Despite limited starters in action, we did get a few hints that mattered from this weekend's NFL action
As we covered last week, there’s not a lot you can takeaway from preseason games – especially when few, if any, starters are playing...like happened across much of the league this past weekend.
That being said, when starters do play, particularly at key positions, there are some things you can learn. Here are the few things we learned this past weekend about the NFL season to come:
Caleb Williams is still the future. Two weeks in, and we’re are officially excited to see what Caleb Williams can do on the live stage against NFL starters as week 1 approaches. So are the Bears. His week 2 performance against the Bengals showed off the same tantalizing talent that his week 1 debut did, including a RIDICULOUS rolling out to the left, 45-yard dime to Rome Odunze, and a bob & weave, duck-under a few rushers, avoid the rush for 8-seconds to scramble out of the pocket and walk-in for an easy touchdown that left even the likes of Tyreek Hill comparing him to a certain quarterback who has won two straight Super Bowls. Williams has a long ways to go and much to prove…but man we’re excited to see what he delivers. Either way, we’re pretty sure it WON’T be boring to watch.
The Steelers might be in trouble. As excited as Chicago is about their future signal-caller, the fanatics in Pittsburgh might be equally as terrified. Two weeks in to an open quarterback competition, let’s just say – it still remains open. In Russell Wilson’s first pre-season action coming off an injury he looked like he did for much of the last two years in Denver – unsure in the pocket, holding onto the ball too long, taking 3 sacks in limited time. When Justin Fields came in, he promptly did Justin Fields things. Made plays with his legs, scrambled around to make one ridiculous throw, and missed players wide-open downfield. It turns out these two quarterbacks ”are who we thought they we’re, and we let ‘em off the hook.” (Special thanks to Coach Dennis Green for that). There’s a reason that both of these quarterbacks we’re essentially free this offseason. Now Pittsburgh might be finding out why.
The Texans look like the Young Challengers to the Chiefs. The Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls, 3 out of 5, been the AFC Championship game each of the last 6 years, and won 4 of them. Quite frankly, we’re tired of them beating up on the Bills, Bengals and Ravens, and we need some new blood in the AFC. Enter the Houston Texans. The Texans on Saturday, in the limited time we saw their starters, look like the young upstart we all expect them to be. Everyone expects C.J. Stroud to take a year 2 leap, and they have surrounded him with dynamic playmakers in Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell. But what perhaps has us more excited about the trajectory of this team is Demeco Ryans young defense. Now, granted they faced off against Daniel Jones (who couldn’t have looked much worse), but their secondary looks young and dynamic with interceptions from both Dereck Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre on Saturday, and with the addition of Danielle Hunter off the edge and Azeez Al-Shaair in the middle, this defense could be formidable. And if you pair a formidable defense with that offense, look out AFC.
Speaking of the Giants. Is it possible that the Daniel Jones’ 4-year, $160 million contract will go down as one of the worst decisions in the history of the NFL? It sure looked like it on Saturday in Jones’ debut, as he haplessly threw three balls directly to Houston Texans defenders. Mercilessly, only two of them were actually picked off. Despite Malik Nabers’ promise, it could be another long year for Giants fans. The only positive? Do we have some Tommy Cutlets (and more importantly his agent) in our future?
And finally, the PLANNED behind the back pass. While Jones was throwing forward facing passes directly to the other team, two-time reigning Super Bowl MVP Pat Mahomes was throwing behind the back passes for third down conversions to his favorite Hall of Fame tight-end. I do not think this is noteworthy, other than feeling the need to refute the bit that Mahomes and Kelce put on afterwards. There is NO WAY that play wasn’t planned. I get it – Mahomes and Kelce are often bored in the regular season, so they are DEFINITELY bored in the preseason, and trying to have a little fun. But don’t try to convince us that a perfectly executed behind the back pass that hit Kelce in stride for a first down conversion wasn’t planned. Come on – just tell us you’ve been practicing toying around with the rest of the league (similar to the ring around the rosy play against the Raiders in 2022) and get on with it. We get it. Also, Travis, we know you’re funny, dating the world’s biggest Megastar, and awesome at football. You don’t have to rub it in.
I think that’s all from week 2. I wouldn’t say there was really anything else important of note. BUT, we are one week closer to the regular season, which is good news for all of us.
Only 17 (!!) days til football season. As always, we look forward to the conversation, debate and your feedback. Hit us at @fieldvisionmi on X, @fieldvisionsports on Instagram, or on our website www.fieldvisionsports.com.
