NFL preseason Week 1 takeaways: Jordan Love impressive for Packers

August 12, 2023 ndowd

NFL Nation, ESPNAug 11, 2023, 11:50 PM ET

The first week of the 2023 NFL preseason continued Friday night, with the Cincinnati Bengals hosting the Green Bay Packers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Detroit Lions hosting the New York Giants, the Miami Dolphins hosting the Atlanta Falcons and the Cleveland Browns hosting the Washington Commanders. The Arizona Cardinals closed out the night with a comeback win over the Denver Broncos.

Several of Friday’s matchups gave glimpses of quarterback battles, including Baker Mayfield showing signs of progress for the Bucs and Jake Browning emerging as the possible No. 2 to Joe Burrow.

On Thursday, the New England Patriots hosted the Houston Texans and the Seattle Seahawks welcoming the Minnesota Vikings.

No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud got his first NFL reps in a start for the Texans, going 2-for-4 for 13 total yards and an interception before coach DeMeco Ryans turned to incumbent starter Davis Mills.

Mills went 9-of-12 for 99 yards and a touchdown before Case Keenum took over under center.

On the other sideline, Patriots fans will have to wait at least another week to see how quarterback Mac Jones has adjusted to Bill O’Brien’s new offense.

The Seahawks’ Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith watched as backup Drew Lock took the start. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the second of Seattle’s two first-round picks, got his first NFL action Thursday night, along with Vikings first-rounder Jordan Addison.

Here are the biggest takeaways from each game so far, along with the rest of the Week 1 preseason schedule.

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NFL preseason games on Friday, Aug. 11

Packers: It didn’t take Jordan Love long to get going, and he didn’t stay in the game long, either. But the Packers should be encouraged by what they saw in their new starter’s two series. He completed 7 of 10 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown and connected with five different pass-catchers, including Romeo Doubs for the touchdown (a contested 9-yard fade) and for his longest completion (a 12-yard crosser). He was 4-for-5 for 28 yards on play-action. The only thing missing was a deep connection. He overthrew a wide-open Luke Musgrave to end the first series. One play earlier, his pass for Christian Watson got broken up. Love was never pressured on his 10 dropbacks even without his blind-side protector, David Bakhtiari, who likely won’t play in any preseason games. “I thought he looked poised, it looked like he was in total command,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said at halftime on the TV broadcast. “Obviously on that first series he’d love to have the throw back to Musgrave, but all in all I thought it was a very productive day for him.” Now, the Packers have to decide if that’s enough exhibition work for Love or if they’ll play him again next week. Rookie backup QB Sean Clifford led four scoring drives (three TDs and a field goal) in relief. — Rob Demovsky

Next game: vs. Patriots (8 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 19)

Bengals: Could there be frontrunners in a couple of interesting position battles? Jake Browning, last year’s third-string quarterback, played the entirety of the first half with the rest of the second-team offense, while new signee Trevor Siemian played in the second half. Over at right tackle, Jonah Williams got the night off while Jackson Carman played in the game. Browning ran with the starters in the joint practice with Green Bay and had the favorable reps on Friday. As for the offensive-line tussle, between Friday’s participation (or lack thereof) and comments from assistant coach Frank Pollack earlier in training camp, Williams is the clear favorite to cement the right edge of the line. — Ben Baby

Next game: at Falcons (7:30 p.m. ET, Friday, Aug. 18)

Lions: All eyes were on wide receiver Jameson Williams during his first preseason game as he experienced a few highs and lows. As promised, Lions head coach Dan Campbell gave the 2021 No. 12 overall pick a ton of reps while he serves a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. He delivered on a one-handed, two-point conversion reception after a 95-yard punt return touchdown by Maurice Alexander in the third quarter. However, on Detroit’s opening possession, backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld was picked off on a deep right pass intended for Williams by Giants safety Jason Pinnock. Sudfeld also tried to find Williams on another deep play in the first quarter, but they were out of sync as Williams cut to the middle of the field as the pass was thrown up the left side. Overall, Williams was targeted seven times, with two catches for 18 yards, including a deep-ball drop at 5:50 in the first quarter that prompted light boos from the stands. After a couple of joint practices with Giants during the week, the Lions rested many of their starters including quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson. — Eric Woodyard

Next game: vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, NFL Network, Saturday, Aug. 19)

Giants: Almost all of the Giants’ veteran starters were kept out of the preseason opener after joint practices earlier in the week. That left their draft class in the spotlight, and the results were a mixed bag. Third-round wide receiver Jalin Hyatt had one catch for minus-four yards on 16 offensive snaps. His speed had opened eyes from teammates at camp, with veteran cornerback Adoree Jackson even comparing his stride to being “like a Usain Bolt.” Aside from Hyatt being a non-factor in his first NFL game, first-round cornerback Deonte Banks had his ups and downs with a pass breakup while also benefitting from Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams dropping a deep pass. Meanwhile, center John Michael Schmitz, a second-rounder out of Minnesota, fared better while playing the entire first half, and sixth-round cornerback Tre Hawkins had mostly good moments (several passes defended) aside from a missed tackle. — Jordan Raanan

Next game: vs. Panthers (7 p.m. ET, NFL Network, Friday, Aug. 18)

Falcons: On a night where the Falcons sat nearly all their offensive and defensive starters, the biggest thing to pick up on was conceptually. This was clear on defense where Atlanta was clearly aggressive in the first half. Atlanta shut Miami out, 6-0, in the first half with a red-zone interception from safety DeMarcco Hellams and two other stops inside the Falcons’ 10-yard-line. In the regular season those would have been field goal attempts, but it’s still a good sign for the type of defense coordinator Ryan Nielsen wants to run. Hellams, the Falcons’ seventh-round pick fighting for a roster spot, was around the ball throughout the first half. In totality, Atlanta intercepted Miami’s quarterbacks three times, had five sacks and nine quarterback hits — a dominant display of the type of defense Nielsen would like. — Michael Rothstein

Next game: vs. Bengals (7:30 p.m. ET, Friday, Aug. 18)

Dolphins: The backup quarterback battle went nowhere. Mike White got the start and played the entire first half, completing 9 of 14 passes for 85 yards. He led a pair of trips to the red zone but threw an interception in the end zone on Miami’s opening drive before failing to convert on fourth down in the other. Skylar Thompson wasn’t any better, connecting on 10 of 16 attempts for 104 yards, two interceptions and a lost fumble. The quarterback play as a whole was uninspiring Friday night, and while White remains ahead in the race, neither player did much to help their case. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Next game: at Texans (4 p.m. ET, NFL Network, Saturday, Aug. 19)

Steelers: In his pregame press conference, coach Mike Tomlin was quick to say second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett needed more preseason reps than a veteran quarterback might, but Pickett and the Steelers’ first-team offense only played one series in the win against the Bucs. Pickett excelled in his short stint, going 6-for-7 for 70 yards and a touchdown — and his lone incompletion was a throw away to avoid a sack. Pickett showed composure as he worked through his progressions, including an 11-yard completion to Diontae Johnson to convert 3rd-and-10 and a 33-yard touchdown to George Pickens on 3rd-and-8. The Steelers’ offense wasn’t as efficient without Pickett, but Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph‘s units also showed glimpses at explosiveness that was lacking a year ago. In the third quarter, Rudolph hit second-year wide receiver Calvin Austin for a 67-yard touchdown. A year ago, the Steelers’ longest pass play was a 57-yard completion from Pickett to Pat Freiermuth. It’s just the preseason, but the early offensive returns are promising. — Brooke Pryor

Next game: vs. Bills (6:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 19)

Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield struck first in the Bucs’ quarterback competition, getting the start and completing 8 of 9 passes for 63 yards and a 10-yard touchdown to Trey Palmer. Most importantly, he took care of the football, with no turnovers, which is the No. 1 thing he needed to show after throwing nine picks in 12 practices. Kyle Trask needed to show some playmaking downfield and did so with a 23-yard completion to David Moore, but he was intercepted on that very same drive on a pass intended for Moore. He went 6-of-10 for 99 yards and an interception. Mayfield was the better passer Friday night, and we’ll see if that continues next week when Trask gets the start at the Jets.— Jenna Laine

Next game: at Jets (7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19)

Kenny Pickett throws 33-yard TD pass to George Pickens

George Pickens jukes out the defender for a TD after a 33-yard pass from Kenny Pickett.

Commanders: Washington should be pleased with quarterback Sam Howell‘s preseason start. He wasn’t spectacular, but he was solid. Yes, the offense started slow, with two bad series in large part because of the offensive line. They allowed too much pressure, right tackle Andrew Wylie in particular, and created no running lanes. The result: 10 yards in two series. But Howell and the offense finished strong with a touchdown in its third and final series. Howell (9-for-12, 77 yards) used his legs and arm to generate yards. He extended plays and they also called sprint roll-outs to move the pocket. They’ll need to do a lot of that this season. The line has a lot to prove — they weren’t facing end Myles Garrett, who didn’t play. But Howell did not force any throws and capped the last drive with a 26-yard pass to Jahan Dotson. That could be a productive combination this season. — John Keim

Next game: vs. Ravens (8 p.m. ET on ESPN, Monday, Aug. 21)

Browns: In his preseason debut, quarterback Deshaun Watson was crisp during his one series. Out of a one-hour weather delay, Watson completed all three of his passes for 12 yards, and more impressively, rushed for 20 yards on three carries. Cleveland wound up getting stuffed at the goal line on fourth down to end the drive. But it was an encouraging appearance from Cleveland’s franchise quarterback, especially coming off the shaky six games he started for the Browns last season. Watson likely won’t play in Cleveland’s preseason game in Philadelphia next week following the joint practices with the Eagles. But coach Kevin Stefanski has indicated that Watson will get another tune-up in the preseason finale in Kansas City leading into the start of the regular season. — Jake Trotter

Next game: at Eagles (7:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 17)

Cardinals: No one knew what to expect from the Cardinals’ defense heading into Friday night, but it put a unit on display that may exceed expectations this season. Yes, it’s the first preseason game but the way the front seven got pressure on Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson isn’t likely to subside going forward. Defensive lineman L.J. Collier had a batted pass, linebacker Dennis Gardeck sacked Wilson, and the Cardinals’ starting defense had three quarterback hurries, including one on the play right after Gardeck’s sack, all before the second unit took the field. And, at one point, outside linebacker Zaven Collins, who made a position switch this offseason, dropped a massive hit in the first quarter. The depth the second team showed gives hope that this Cardinals’ defense could help anchor this team while Kyler Murray works to return. — Josh Weinfuss

Next game: vs. Chiefs (8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19)

Broncos: The Broncos have continued to see depth issues appear during training camp and they crept up in their preseason opener Friday night. The projected regulars exited the game in the second quarter with the Broncos leading 10-0 and in control. What followed were difficulties from the reserves, including a blocked field goal by the Cardinals, four penalties by reserve offensive linemen and a wobbly outing from backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham (5-of-15 passing with an interception). Defensive lineman Elijah Garcia (two sacks), safety Delarrin Turner-Yell and rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin were notable exceptions among the reserves — McLaughlin scored a 4-yard touchdown with 1:30 to play — but overall what has been one of the team’s biggest concerns coming into training camp is still just that. — Jeff Legwold

Next game: at 49ers (8:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19)

NFL preseason games on Thursday, Aug. 10

Texans: C.J. Stroud struggled in his first preseason start, which could allow the quarterback competition with Davis Mills to linger. Stroud played two series and went 2-for-4 for 13 yards with an interception. Mills went 9-for-12 for 99 yards with a touchdown. Stroud appeared to be separating in the competition as coach DeMeco Ryans gave Stroud all the first-team offensive reps in practice as he showed better command of the offense. But in his first NFL action, he was tentative, took a sack and threw an interception that led to a Patriots’ field goal. He didn’t have excellent protection, as he was under pressure on 60% of his dropbacks. On the other hand, Mills led the Texans to their only points of the first half with a touchdown throw to rookie receiver Tank Dell. — DJ Bien-Aime

Next game: vs. Dolphins (4 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 19)

Patriots: On a night that most starters didn’t play, second-round draft pick Keion White turned in an impressive debut. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound defensive end out of Georgia Tech started on the edge and was disruptive and consistently around the ball. He finished with three tackles, including smothering running back Dare Ogunbowale on a loose exchange with quarterback Davis Mills that linebacker Calvin Munson recovered for a turnover. White’s performance, combined with first-round pick Christian Gonzalez starting at cornerback, infuses youth into an already strong defense that returns every player except Devin McCourty. The Patriots lead the NFL in terms of defensive retention. — Mike Reiss

Next game: at Packers (8 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 19)

C.J. Stroud completes first pass in the NFL

C.J. Stroud links up with Nico Collins for his first NFL completion, and Collins puts a nice hit on a defender.

Seahawks: Drew Lock has yet to put it all together over four NFL seasons, but he showed Thursday night why the Seahawks continue to believe that he’s a starting-caliber quarterback. With Geno Smith and most of Seattle’s veteran first-teamers getting the night off, Lock started against Minnesota and played into the fourth quarter, in large part because the Seahawks want to get him as many reps as possible this preseason after he didn’t play a single snap in last year’s regular season. At times, he looked like he was shaking off rust from almost a calendar year on the bench. But he mostly showed off the tools that made him a second-round pick and a player Seattle badly wanted to acquire in the Russell Wilson trade. Lock completed 17 of 24 passes for 191 yards, two touchdown passes and a tough-luck interception on a throw that was tipped at the line of scrimmage. — Brady Henderson

Vikings: Running back Ty Chandler took advantage of an extended look Thursday night as he competes for the No. 2 job behind starter Alexander Mattison. Playing for almost the entire first half, Chandler rushed for 41 yards on 11 carries, while also catching four passes for another 29 yards. Along the way, he demonstrated his ability to make the first defender miss. And he did so, coach Kevin O’Connell said at halftime, on some plays that were not blocked well. With Kene Nwangwu sidelined by injury for most of camp and rookie DeWayne McBride struggling, Chandler has a clear path to the No. 2 job at this point. — Kevin Seifert

Next game: vs. Titans (8 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 19)

Next game: vs. Cowboys (10 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 19)