Your complete guide to Week 3 of the NFL preseason -- where jobs are on the line
Week 3 of the NFL preaseason kicked off with the upstart Cleveland Browns hosting the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. Paste BN Sports' Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) was at the game, and here are his three takeaways:
Growth under Williams
The Browns have garnered a lot of attention this preseason thanks to their quarterback situation, which features veteran Tyrod Taylor and rookie Baker Mayfield. But their defense just might be poised to make the biggest leap of all.
That’s because in Year 2 under Gregg Williams, the unit is playing faster and with more aggression. Now familiar with his schemes, there’s less thinking and more instinctual play.
Defensive players also say that Williams trusts them more and has stopped dialing up as many exotic blitzes. He’s just letting his guys up front pin back their ears and get after the quarterback, which they love.
But, most importantly, the Browns have adapted Williams’ ultra-aggressive mindset and quest for perfection. They relish the chance to impact games (setting the goal of generating more turnovers this year), and they aren’t satisfied, always considering what more they could have done.
How has Williams managed to instill this improved mindset?
“Well, he’s not very nice,” backup pass-rusher Chris Smith says with a squeak in his voice and then a laugh. “I love Gregg. He wants us to impose our will on everybody, and have that quest for perfection and we’re all buying into that.”
Progress for Wentz
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz didn’t play in the third preseason game, but he did display more signs encouraging signs that his rehab from last fall’s reconstructive knee surgery continues to progress. Wentz went through a rigorous pregame workout, dropping back, rolling out, sliding in the would-be pocket and delivering accurate throws.
Wentz’ workout followed a week in which he returned to 11-on-11 action. The fact that he was able to continue to perform such movements on back-to-back days rather than having to rest his surgically repaired knee is a good sign.
It still remains to be seen if Wentz will return by Week 1, but the Eagles remain focused on daily progress, and Thursday reflected a continuation.
Mayfield disappointed
Baker Mayfield unexpectedly got some first-team action Thursday night when Tyrod Taylor briefly left the game with a hand injury. But Mayfield didn’t play as well as he would have liked.
He completed two of five passes for 19 yards and was sacked once during two series with the starting offense. Mayfield wasn't happy with his game as a whole, saying, "Not my best game by any means."
He finished with eight completions for 76 yards and an interception on 12 attempts, with a quarterback rating of 49.3. The Browns didn't score a touchdown.
"Whenever you turn the ball over, it's not your best. We just have a ways to go. Disappointed in myself. I got in there with the first team and have to get the ball out quicker.”
MORE: Eagles, Browns don't resemble 2017 forms; that's good for one team
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This week's key storylines
- No changes to helmet rule: Buckle up.
The chorus of boos is growing louder, but the NFL’s competition committee said it won’t change anything about the league’s implementation of its new tackling rule. That also includes no additional instant replay, meaning expect more second (third?) guessing of the league’s zebras.
One possible consequence? As the league, its players, refs and coaches all adjust to the rule intended to promote player safety, one coach believes that it’s going to cost players jobs simply by demanding players change the way they’ve been tackling their whole lives.
- Anthem controversy continues: The story of the NFL, the national anthem, the kneeling and the president all began in 2016, and since that time, Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel wrote that we’ve all lost.
Kaepernick lost. NFL owners lost. NFL players lost.
Unsurprisingly, the issue is still simmering as President Trump continues to stoke the fire.
This week he lambasted ESPN for announcing it wouldn’t broadcast the national anthem — a practice no different than in years past. Then he started a petition, e-mailed to his supporters, “denouncing this spineless surrender” to the network.
CBS is taking the same approach as ESPN, and Fox Sports will only show the anthem for special broadcasts.
It seems we’ve moved the down markers about three yards since 2016.
As Paste BN’s Nancy Armour wrote, it shouldn’t take a white politician’s defense of NFL player protests for it to resonate with America. Beto O’Rourke’s message echoed what Kaepernick, Eric Reid, Malcolm Jenkins and others have said.
- Jets QB competition heats up: It’s early, but there’s a lot to like about Jets rookie QB Sam Darnold. That’s the early read on the USC product, especially if you take Jets GM Mike Maccagnan’s word for it. The organization has been so impressed with Darnold’s poise that the GM is already floating the possibility of carrying two QBs. Because Josh McCown is 39, it doesn’t take a genius to interpret that Teddy Bridgewater is available for the right price.
With that said, here are the 10 likeliest landing spots for Bridgewater in 2019.
Complete guide to preseason Week 3
Check out this complete guide to preseason Week 3 for *everything* you need to know heading into the action.
The third week of the preseason is considered the "dress rehearsal" for the regular season, as projected key players get extended playing time. Here are the national television games to watch:
Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Friday at 8 p.m. (CBS): With Jameis Winston suspended for the first three games of the regular season, expect Ryan Fitzpatrick to see extended playing time.
Green Bay Packers at Oakland Raiders, Friday at 10:30 p.m. (NFL Network): If one preseason series is any indication, the Aaron Rodgers-Jimmy Graham combo is going to be a handful for opposing defenses.
Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears, Saturday at 1 p.m. (NFL Network): First-round picks from last year's draft square off as the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes and the Bears' Mitchell Trubisky continue their development.
Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday at 4 p.m. (NFL Network): With Le'Veon Bell still not having signed his franchise tender, backup running back James Conner has looked impressive.
New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday at 8 p.m. (CBS): Drew Brees sat out the Saints' first two preseason games, but a national television audience will get to see one of the NFL's all-time leading passers make his preseason debut.
Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills, Sunday at 4 p.m. (FOX): Rookie Josh Allen gets a shot to prove he's worthy of starting in the Bills' season opener against the Ravens.
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys, Sunday at 8 p.m. (NBC): Newcomer Sam Bradford and rookie Josh Rosen have provided a promising start for a revamped quarterback position for the Cardinals.
Gone camping
Why is Chargers hype building despite drought? The Chargers haven't won the AFC West since 2009 and are an afterthought in their own market. So why such big expectations in 2018? Paste BN Sports' Jarrett Bell went to Chargers camp to check in on one of the sleeper teams of 2018.
Watson is even better than you remember: Texans QB Deshaun Watson was on a MVP-like tear before an ACL tear sidelined him for the year. Now he believes he's reached a new level in his second year. Paste BN Sports' Mike Jones hit up Texans camp to get an update on the status of one of the league's most promising young players.
Fantasy football draft tips
It's that magical time of year: Fantasy football draft season! Our panel of experts have valuable advice as you prepare for fantasy football domination this season.
- Top 200 rankings: Here's how the best players stack up for the 2018 fantasy football season.
- Best spots in draft: There are a few slots where you'll have a greater advantage than others.
- Studs, duds and sleepers: Steve Gardner and Trysta Krick break down the players you need to focus on in your fantasy football draft.
- Assessing the rookies: We'll all be focused on Saquon Barkley of the Giants. But what other rookies should you keep an eye on?
- All-Risk Team: Players who could make or break your team this season.
- All-Value Team: Players who should outperform their draft slot this season.
- Rankings by position: Breaking down the top options at every position.
- Too high or too low? Here are 10 players being drafted too high or too low.
- RB sleepers: Here are five possible unheralded running backs to target in drafts.
- Trend advantage: Recognizing these trends will help you ace your fantasy football draft.
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