The NFL preseason continues to serve its primary purpose of developing talent and fine-tuning rosters, and this year's series of games has been no different. Teams are keenly evaluating young players and those on the edge to finalize their 53-man lineups. Several notable performances and intriguing storylines have emerged over the past week.
Cardinals' Quarterbacks Under the Microscope
In Arizona, the Cardinals' second-year backup quarterback, Clayton Tune, demonstrated his potential during a matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Jonathan Gannon chose to rest many starters, giving Tune an opportunity to shine. Tune capitalized, completing four of his five passes during a nine-play, 70-yard drive that culminated in a Michael Carter 11-yard touchdown run. On another drive, Tune threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tony Jones Jr., finishing the game with 163 yards and a touchdown on 15 of 24 passes. Despite Tune's solid performance, the Cardinals fell to the Saints 16-14.
Desmond Ridder started for the Cardinals but had a more modest showing. Playing the entire first half, Ridder completed four of nine passes for 43 yards. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. also saw action, completing nine of 16 throws for 104 yards in a subsequent game where the Cardinals lost to the Miami Dolphins 20-13.
Injuries and Defensive Highlights
In other developments, DeMarcco Hellams was carted off the field due to a left leg injury, while Taylor Heinicke struggled, completing just four of 11 passes for 11 yards. However, there were bright spots on the defensive side as well. First-round rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins allowed only two completions for a mere eight yards, showcasing his potential future value.
Ravens and Eagles Battle
The Baltimore Ravens clashed with the Philadelphia Eagles, ultimately losing 16-13. Head coach John Harbaugh opted for a 21-yard field goal on fourth-and-goal, a decision that might have cost them the game.
Around the League
Other notable preseason results included the Buffalo Bills’ 33-6 loss to the Chicago Bears. Rookie Bears quarterback Caleb Williams completed four of seven passes for 95 yards, offering a glimpse of his potential. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots triumphed over the Carolina Panthers 17-3.
Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins made their return for the Cincinnati Bengals, who narrowly lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-14. The Cleveland Browns faced defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers, with Jamari Thrash recording three catches for 43 yards. The Denver Broncos edged out the Indianapolis Colts 34-30, thanks in part to Bo Nix's impressive performance with 125 yards and a touchdown on 15 of 21 passing.
Elsewhere, the New York Giants won over the Detroit Lions 14-3. Meanwhile, Jordan Love secured a significant four-year, $220 million contract with the Packers, which includes a hefty $75 million signing bonus. The Texans emerged victorious against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a score of 20-12, and the Jaguars defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 26-13.
Tight Contests and Unexpected Outcomes
The Las Vegas Raiders narrowly lost to the Minnesota Vikings in a nail-biting finish, 24-23. The Seattle Seahawks won against the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3, and the Rams eked out a victory over the Dallas Cowboys with a final score of 13-12.
Derek Carr's Revelation
During the broadcast of the Saints-Cardinals game, Derek Carr revealed, "New Orleans didn't game plan at all, and that he didn't know who was playing with him until just before kickoff." This statement underscores the unique challenges and unpredictability of the preseason.
As teams continue their evaluations and final adjustments, the NFL preseason showcases both emerging talents and strategic decisions that could shape the season ahead. Each game offers a blend of promise and uncertainty, setting the stage for what football fans hope will be an exciting NFL year.