If four straight days of football from the first week of the preseason wasn’t enough, try Week 2’s five-day slate on for size.
After all the action from Week 1, all 32 teams from the NFL now have a first-hand look at all their moving parts. It’s make-or-break time for some of the aspiring talents as rosters cuts are fast approaching. Not to mention that starting and backup jobs are still on the line as well as the preseason rolls on.
Read on as we cover and make a prediction for one key matchup in each day of NFL preseason action this week. Links to our in-depth previews for some of the games on the Week 2 preseason schedule can also be found below.
College football season is about to kick-off as well, so head on over to our special features on the best freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors in the NCAA this 2015-16 season.
[sc:Football ]NFL Preseason Week 2 Preview and Predictions
Detroit Lions vs. Washington Redskins
Where: FedExField, Landover
When: Thursday, August 20, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Detroit Lions (+2.5) vs. Washington Redskins (-2.5); total: 40.0 – view all NFL lines
With running back Joique Bell sidelined due to an injury, and with Reggie bush now playing for the 49ers, the Detroit Lions have got to be thrilled about their second-round pick’s performance in Week 1 of the preseason. Ameer Abdullah had seven carries for 67 yards – including a 45-yarder – and could very well earn a starting job in the backfield if he keeps his preseason production up.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Detroit wide receiver Greg Salas was also impressive this past Thursday. Salas, who played for the Jets for the past two seasons, had five receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown against his former team. He’ll resume making his way up the Lions’ deep receiver depth chart this Thursday.
The Washington Redskins, meanwhile, failed to score a receiving touchdown in their Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns. They got yet another lackluster outing from Robert Griffin III, who went 4-for-8 for 36 passing yards in the Redskins’ first two possessions of the game. If RG3 doesn’t pick up his slack, third-string backup Kirk Cousins (sitting behind Griffin and Colt McCoy in the QB depth chart) could be back under center for the ‘Skins come regular season.
Cousins had a terrific showing in Week 1, connecting on 12 of his 14 passes for 154 yards. He’s in a contract year right now too, so expect him to make the most out of his preseason reps.
Writer’s Prediction
Detroit manhandles the shallow Washington roster, 27-9.
Predictions for the Other Week 2 Games on Thursday, August 20
Buffalo Bills 21, Cleveland Browns 17
Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
When: Friday, August 21, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Atlanta Falcons (+1.5) vs. New York Jets (-1.5); total: 39.0 – view all NFL lines
It’s only the preseason, and the New York Jets already look lifeless. New York’s offense only mustered up 123 yards against Detroit this past week; 56 yards in the air and 67 on the ground to be exact. Ryan Fitzpatrick, the team’s new starting QB after Geno Smith’s broken jaw kerfuffle, played just one drive – the Jets’ lone scoring drive that led to mere a field goal – going 2-for-3 for 16 yards.
Fitzpatrick’s backup, Bryce Petty, played more snaps in Week 1. However, he couldn’t get anything going himself either. Petty finished with 50 yards on 10-of-18 passing, and not one of the rookie’s passes went for more than eight yards. The Jets have got to fix their problems at QB, and fast.
Meanwhile, Atlanta’s tandem of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones provided a quick glimpse of what they have in store for the regular season. Ryan was a perfect 6-for-6 for 86 passing yards in the Falcons’ opening scoring drive against the Tennessee Titans last Friday. Jones was the recipient of Ryan’s touchdown pass in that possession, ending with four receptions for 61 yards, before he and Ryan sat out the rest of the game.
With the offense seemingly in tune, the Falcons have now got to work on protecting the football against a seemingly formidable Jets defense. Atlanta had six fumbles (and only half of those were recovered) in last week’s game against Tennessee. All the first-game jitters should’ve been shaken off last week, so the Falcons won’t likely cough-up as many footballs in the succeeding preseason games.
Writer’s Prediction
New York’s offense continues to sputter. Atlanta wins, 21-6.
Predictions for the Other Week 2 Games on Friday, August 21
Kansas City Chiefs 19, Seattle Seahawks 13
Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans
Where: Reliant Stadium, Houston
When: Saturday, August 22, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Denver Broncos (+3) vs. Houston Texans (-3); total: 41.0 – view all NFL lines
With 39-year old Peyton Manning already in his 18th season in the league, it’s time for his backup, Brock Osweiler, to make a name for himself as the Denver Broncos’ next starting quarterback. Osweiler was off on the right foot, going 15-of-20 for 151 yards and a touchdown for the entire first half of the Broncos’ 22-20 win over Seattle last Friday. He finished the game with a 112.7 passer rating as well.
Denver’s new, patch-worked offensive line also came up big in that game. They helped the Broncos running backs bust through for a total of 101 yards on the ground in the first half alone, and Osweiler only absorbed one sack from the Seahawks’ second-team D.
As for the Houston Texans, quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett had good outings to support their respective bids for the starting job. Hoyer made a 58-yard pass to Cecil Shorts III for a touchdown (and even connected with DeAndre Hopkins right after for a successful two-point conversion), while Mallett went 10-of-11 for 90 passing yards in four of Houston’s possessions this past Saturday against San Francisco.
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said that Mallett will get the start this coming Saturday against Denver, and it looks like the QB controversy in Houston is far from over. What could be locked-up already is the starting running back spot, which Alfred Blue will likely take charge of before the return of injured Arian Foster. Blue tallied 52 yards in nine carries against the 49ers last week, including a 32-yard sprint.
Writer’s Prediction
Denver wins a close one, 21-20.
Predictions for the Other Week 2 Games on Saturday, August 22
Miami Dolphins 24, Carolina Panthers 15
Philadelphia Eagles 27, Baltimore Ravens 17
Indianapolis Colts 21, Chicago Bears 14
New England Patriots 24, New Orleans Saints 19
New York Giants 20, Jacksonville Jaguars 15
Minnesota Vikings 24, Oakland Raiders 17
Arizona Cardinals 21, San Diego Chargers 20
Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
When: Sunday, August 23, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Dallas Cowboys (+3.5) vs. San Francisco 49ers (-3.5); total: 40.5 – view all NFL lines
The search for DeMarco Murray’s replacement in the Dallas Cowboys’ backfield continues, as running back Darren McFadden will be all set for his first reps of the preseason after being taken off of the team’s PUP list this past weekend. McFadden may still have some competition for the job, though, as Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar have yet to take snaps this preseason.
Making a run for Jason Witten’s role as Dallas’ starting tight end is Gavin Escobar. The three-year pro was targeted seven times and grabbed five catches for 47 yards (one of those receptions being a 21-yarder) in the team’s Week 1 preseason game against the Chargers. Realistically, Escobar won’t overthrow made man Witten for the starting job, but he could very well end up as the second tight end option in the Cowboys’ single back formations come regular season.
With rookie wideout Jerome Simpson about to serve a six-game suspension at the start of the regular season, the San Francisco 49ers’ roster just keeps getting thinner and thinner. Luckily for them, former National Rugby League star Jarryd Hayne is turning out to be a promising pick-up. Hayne had five carries for 63 yards from San Fran’s backfield, and also had a 33-yard kickoff return in last Saturday’s game against the Texans.
Linebacker NaVorro Bowman will likely get his first preseason action against the ‘Boys this Sunday after head coach Jim Tomsula opted to have him sit out Week 1. Bowman should participate in this next game for him to get back into prime form after missing all of last season due to a torn ACL and MCL from the tail end of the 2013 season. He will now be the new heart and soul of the Niners D after the mass exodus of several of San Francisco’s vital defensive players.
Writer’s Prediction
The 49ers defeat their long-time rivals, 19-13.
Predictions for the Other Week 2 Games on Sunday, August 23
Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 28
St. Louis Rams 15, Tennessee Titans 12
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
When: Monday, August 24, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Cincinnati Bengals (+2) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2); total: 40.0 – view all NFL lines
All eyes will be fixated on Jameis Winston once again as he makes his home debut in the lone Monday night preseason game on the schedule. Winston should fare much better after a disappointing outing against the Vikings in Week 1. He only went 9-for-19 with 131 passing yards and one pick from a pass that was intended for standout wide receiver Mike Evans.
The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner did have a couple of highlights from his performance: a 40-yard completed pass to Vincent Jackson and an eight-yard rushing touchdown. It seems as though Winston’s mobility on his feet will come in handy come the regular season, as running back Doug Martin continues to struggle. Martin, whose first and last 1,000-yard season came in his rookie year back in 2012, only garnered 19 rushing yards on five carries.
Meanwhile, the starting offense of the Cincinnati Bengals appears to be in tip-top shape. Quarterback Andy Dalton and the rest of his starting lineup needed less than three minutes into Friday’s game against the New York Giants to go 3-for-3 for 31 passing yards and a touchdown pass to Mohamed Sanu. Running back Jeremy Hill was also efficient in that drive with two carries for 15 yards on the ground.
Even Dalton’s third-string backup, Josh Johnson, got in on the Bengals’ offensive festivities from last week. Johnson was in control for most of the game, throwing for 175 yards on 11-of-21 passing. If Johnson keeps it up this preseason, Dalton’s direct backup in AJ McCarron could be in a world of trouble. McCarron, a former standout for the Alabama Crimson Tide, sat out Friday’s game because of pulled muscles on one side of his torso.
Writer’s Prediction
Winston rebounds from his Week 1 (under)performance and puts on a show for the home crowd. Tampa Bay wins, 18-15.
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