With the NFL preseason in full swing, players across the league are finally getting the rust off of their gears as they prepare for the gauntlet of the regular season ahead. It’s also a great time to assess a team’s overall depth and talent while the games essentially don’t really matter at this point.
Read on as we feature two contrasting matchups in Week 2 of the preseason. This Thursday, the Buffalo Bills visit the Cleveland Browns in a battle between two pedestrian teams looking to break out of their timeless funks. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers will greet the Green Bay Packers in Heinz field on Sunday in a clash of AFC and NFC titans.
Line: Buffalo Bills (+2.5) vs. Cleveland Browns (-2.5); total: 40.0 – view all NFL lines
The good news for Buffalo: all three quarterbacks vying for the starting job performed well in the first game of the preseason last week against the Carolina Panthers. Matt Cassel was efficient, going 7-for-8 for 45 yards in two series as the starter; EJ Manuel completed four of his eight passes plus a touchdown and finished with 77 yards; and Tyrod Taylor showed his dual-threat game by going 5-for-8 for 49 yards in the air and rushing for 47 yards in six carries.
[sc:NFL240banner ]The bad news? With the way that all three playmakers adequately performed in Week 1, the Bills’ QB controversy may still be far from over. More preseason games will give head coach Rex Ryan a clearer picture of who earns the starting job, and the upcoming game against a rather formidable Browns defense will give the trio a nice test.
Embattled linebacker IK Enemkpali also made a nice debut for the Bills. Enemkpali, who was released by the New York Jets after sucker-punching quarterback Geno Smith, registered two tackles (one for loss) as a part of the second-string team of Buffalo’s defense.
Over in Cleveland, all eyes were once again fixed on Johnny Manziel this past Friday as he and the Browns took on the Washington Redskins. Johnny Football had a dynamic 12-yard run for a touchdown and wasn’t too shabby in the air as well, making seven of his 11 passes for 42 yards.
However, projected starting QB Josh McCown reminded the Browns that the offense still goes through him first after connecting on all five of his passes for 33 yards and a two-yard touchdown pass to wideout Travis Benjamin.
It might be a long shot at this point, but Manziel could still win out the starting job before Week 1 of the regular season if he continues to put on a good showing in preseason. Going up against a tough Buffalo defense should give him some fits, but he would need to impress against a quality D like this to merit a bit more credibility in his performances.
Writer’s Prediction
Buffalo wins its first preseason game, 21-17.
Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
When: Sunday, August 23, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Green Bay Packers (+2.5) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5); total: 41.0 – view all NFL lines
Even during the preseason, it seems as if Green Bay truly is the team to beat. The Packers – now the clear-cut +550 favorite to win Super Bowl 50 – mustered up 406 yards of total offense and had no turnovers in their 22-11 victory over the New England Patriots last week.
Aaron Rodgers certainly didn’t look like he has any hangover from the past season as he went 11-of-19 for 117 passing yards this past Thursday. His backup, Scott Tolzien, was equally impressive with 107 yards in 10-of-16 passing. Tolzien also had one of the team’s touchdowns in the game with his 26-yard throw to Jeff Janis in the second quarter.
The Packers look to be in tip-top form indeed, but the Pittsburgh Steelers may change their preseason outlook. Ben Roethlisberger made quick work of his first and only series as the starting QB in Friday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was a perfect 3-for-3 in the air for 59 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown pass to Martavis Bryant less than four minutes into the game.
Bryant’s fellow wideout, Sammie Coates, had a terrific outing as well. The rookie out of Auburn led all Steelers receivers from Week 1’s preseason action with his 11 targets and five receptions, and finished with 52 receiving yards. Kicker Garrett Hartley, who was acquired by the Steelers after Shaun Suisham got injured, converted all two of his field goals (one being a 48-yarder) in his first game with the team.
Sunday’s match between these two perennial playoff contenders will definitely showcase a lot of firepower as both the Packers and Steelers want to show that they are already geared up and finely tuned for the regular season.
Writer’s Prediction
Green Bay wins in in a shootout, 31-28.
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