NFL preseason Week 1: Jets' Zach Wilson injury scare, Panthers QB competition is no-brainer
NFL preseason Week 1 is in the books, are here are the key developments as teams returned to action for the first time ahead of the 2022 regular season:
- Winners and losers from opening weekend of preseason play.
- The Jets had an injury scare with second-year quarterback Zach Wilson.
- Second-year QB Trey Lance showed why the 49ers are moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo.
- The decision in the Mayfield vs. Darnold QB competition should be a no-brainer for the Panthers.
- Packers backup QB Jordan Love threw three interceptions against the 49ers, but Matt LaFleur was still pleased with the performance.
- Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett was the hero of his team's preseason win.
- "Freakish" second-year player could be a pass-rushing revelation for the Broncos.
- After starring in the season premiere of "Hard Knocks," Lions rookie Aidan Hutchinson showed off his pass-rushing moves in his NFL debut.
NFL preseason Week 1 must-see moments
- Bills rookie Matt Ariaza – nicknamed "Punt God" in college – booted an 82-yard punt against the Colts.
- Chiefs safety Justin Reid – a former soccer player – kicked an extra point against the Bears.
- Steelers rookie WR George Pickens celebrated his first touchdown by mimicking Antonio Brown's dance.
- Two Colts players had jerseys that read "French" and "Fries."
- Cardinals QB Kyler Murray didn't play in the preseason opener, but did make himself useful as a waterboy for his teammates.
- Titans rookie QB Malik Willis had a touchdown run and a couple nice throws in his debut.
NFL news, notes and analysis
- 22 former first-rounders on thin ice: Six quarterbacks are among those players who were picked in the first round who are embarking on a pivotal 2022 season.
- 40 training camp standouts you need to know: Several young players are making a name for themselves at NFL camps.
- 'Cleveland against the world'? A Browns player downplayed the reaction on the road to quarterback Deshaun Watson.
- Soldier Field not up to snuff? NFLPA president JC Tretter tweeted that the Soldier Field turf was not up to NFL standards. This was days after Bears kicker Cairo Santos revealed that he trains on poorly maintained park fields to simulate Soldier Field's turf.
- Penalties continue to be Cowboys' bugaboo: Dallas committed 17 penalties in its preseason loss to Denver. This comes after the team had 14 penalties in a wild-card playoff loss to the 49ers.
NFL preseason Week 2
(All times Eastern)
Thursday
Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Friday
Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots, 7 p.m. (NFL Network)
New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers, 8 p.m.
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams, 10 p.m. (NFL Network)
Saturday
Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. (NFL Network)
Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs, 4 p.m. (NFL Network)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tennessee Titans, 7 p.m. (NFL Network)
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars, 7 p.m.
Las Vegas Raiders at Miami Dolphins, 7 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers, 10 p.m. (NFL Network)
Sunday
Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. (NFL Network)
Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants, 7 p.m. (NFL Network)
Baltimore Ravens at Arizona Cardinals, 8 p.m. (FOX)
Monday
Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Fantasy football: Prepare for your draft
Fantasy football drafts are coming soon, too.
To help you dominate your league this season, Paste BN Sports Weekly has unleashed its first player rankings.
- One fantasy football sleeper from each team
- One fantasy football bust from each team
- The 13 best (that we could print) fantasy football team names
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