Friday, May 3, 2024

The good, bad and ugly from each NFL team’s preseason game: Cowboys rookie RB shines, Broncos O-line struggles



rewrite this content material with complete period and stay HTML tags The NFL preseason is not about wins and losses. Participation trophies are passed out like formative years sports activities on the finish of the three-game run, 4 video games for the 2 groups that play within the Hall of Fame Game. However, the ones “trophies” come within the type of 53-man roster spots in addition to follow squad slots. It’s arduous to overreact after your workforce performed only one recreation. With that during thoughts, here is a take a look at how each NFL team’s first analysis exhibition went in addition to the notable moments as we spotlight the nice, bad and ugly for all 32 golf equipment in Week 1 of the 2023 preseason. Arizona Cardinals (defeated Denver Broncos 18-17)The just right: Fifth-round rookie quarterback Clayton Tune settling down after a shaky begin to end with 135 yards and a landing after a couple of bad misses and an interception on 13-of-23 passing. The extra Tune performs, the simpler he’s going to most likely appearance, and seeing him end sturdy needs to be encouraging for first-year head trainer Jonathan Gannon and his team of workers. The Cardinals protection additionally constantly pressured Broncos quarterbacks, recording the perfect power price (50%) in all of the NFL in Week 1 of the preseason.  The bad: Allowing Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson to overcome them for a 21-yard landing on fourth-and-4. Wilson, who had by means of a long way the worst yr of his profession in 2022, had struggled mightily as much as that time within the exhibition recreation because the Cardinals had deflected two passes on the line of scrimmage and sacked him two times. Arizona, who generated power on 50% of the Broncos’ dropbacks — the perfect price within the league in Week of the preseason — felt they had to all-out blitz Wilson at the play, permitting Jerry Jeudy to prepare dinner the protection within the slot. If they run a extra conservative protection, the Cardinals most definitely get house anyhow, forcing a turnover on downs.  The ugly: Tune’s interception used to be ugly the entire method round. His supposed goal, Rondale Moore, fell down as Tune used to be getting set to throw, however the go gave the impression find it irresistible would were extensive to the left of Moore anyhow. Broncos cornerback Essang Bassey ran in a directly line with a purpose to haul within the simple interception. This used to be without a doubt the lowlight of the Cardinals’ night time.  Atlanta Falcons (defeated Miami Dolphins 19-3)The just right: The Falcons’ new-look defender beneath first-year defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen shined. Sixth-round rookie protection DeMarcco Hellams, an Alabama alum, used to be their brightest famous person on Friday, racking up a team-high seven tackles and a crimson zone interception of Miami backup quarterback Mike White.  Dee Alford’s 79-yard punt go back landing served as the one landing of the second one part, and it used to be electrical as Alford broke more than one tackles earlier than reducing the entire method around the box for the rating. The bad and the ugly: It would were great for the Falcons to have mustered multiple offensive landing. Yes, most effective their backups took the sphere offensively, however you favor higher offensive brotherly love, particularly in the second one part. Atlanta punted (thrice) or had a turnover on downs (as soon as) on all 4 in their offensive drives in the second one part, except for the tip of the sport kneel down ownership. Baltimore Ravens (defeated Philadelphia Eagles 20-19)The just right: Baltimore’s backup quarterback state of affairs. Lamar Jackson has overlooked 10 of the Ravens’ closing 22 video games together with the playoffs after no longer lacking any in his profession on account of harm from 2018-2020. Both longtime backup Tyler Huntley (88 passing yards, one passing landing on 8-of-11 passing) and journeyman Josh Johnson (45 passing yards, one passing landing — seven yards — on 8-of-12 passing) carried out smartly. The Ravens are in a cast spot will have to anything else occur to Jackson. Also, All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker nonetheless has the juice at 33 years previous. He proved that by means of draining a 60-yard box purpose very easily.  The bad and the ugly: Wide receiver James Proche wishes a stellar efficiency this preseason to stay a Baltimore Raven after the workforce signed Odell Beckham Jr. in loose company and drafted Zay Flowers within the first around of the 2023 NFL Draft. He did the other of that Saturday, muffing a punt go back on particular groups whilst additionally most effective securing one catch for unfavourable one yards on 3 goals as a receiver.  Buffalo Bills (defeated Indianapolis Colts 23-19)The just right: Damar Hamlin made his go back to NFL soccer. He started the sport at the kickoff workforce earlier than taking part in 20 defensive snaps and 4 particular groups snaps in overall. He registered 3 tackles.”It for sure felt like a little weight off my shoulders,” Hamlin mentioned when speaking about making his first take on. “I think it’ll be like that probably every game. But even before my situation it’s kind of like that, we all get butterflies until we get that first contact. That’s universal for being an athlete, that just lets you know you’re human, that just lets you know you live in the moment.”  The bad and the ugly: The two turnovers. Backup quarterback Kyle Allen noticed his extensive receiver display screen go dropped and deflected into the Colts’ arms for a pick out six.  The 2nd one used to be a misplaced fumble after a of completion for a primary down from backup quarterback Matt Barkley to tight finish Jace Sternberger. Both of the giveaways have been preventable, basic issues that may be tweaked and corrected. However, each have been ugly moments for the victorious Bills. Carolina Panthers (defeated 27-0 by means of New York Jets)The just right: Quarterback Bryce Young, the primary total pick out within the 2023 NFL Draft, survived. The 5-foot-10, 204-pound passer who used to be closely scrutinized for his stature right through the pre-draft procedure absorbed one sack and two hits. He did a pleasant activity getting the ball out on time, finishing 4 of his six passes for 21 yards, given the consistent power he used to be beneath on Saturday.”Obviously, we had a little too much pressure at times,” Panthers head trainer Frank Reich mentioned postgame on Saturday. “Bryce was accurate, he got rid of the ball quickly. We had to try to overcome some bad field positions, which we did not do. We got our second drive, we’re backed up there, pretty much. Those are great situations, we talk about this all the time. Let’s get the tough situations in and put ourselves to the test. We had a couple of those today. We didn’t pass those tests, but those are good to learn from.”   The bad and the ugly: The beating used to be worse for backup Matt Corrall, who used to be sacked 4 instances and hit two different instances. That efficiency ended in offensive take on Cameron Irving and the offensive line jointly taking the blame for the Panthers’ offensive struggles in opposition to the Jets.”We had to keep it real with each other,” Erving said postgame Saturday, via ESPN. “The s— wasn’t just right sufficient. Top to backside, regardless of if it is preseason, common season, the s— used to be no longer just right sufficient. Any degree, from any place, myself incorporated, particularly my f—–g self. All we will do is attempt to regroup and repair it.”Erving used to be additionally complimentary of his rookie quarterback’s resilience during the sport. “Poise, man. The kid’s poised,” Erving said. “He lives within the second. That’s all you’ll ask from a quarterback. He has a non permanent reminiscence. He did the whole thing he used to be meant to do. He processed the whole thing. But us as an O-line, we need to do higher.”Chicago Bears (defeated Tennessee Titans 23-17)The just right: Quarterback Justin Fields’ best possible passing day: 3 for three with 129 passing yards and two passing touchdowns — a 62-yarder to new best wideout DJ Moore and a 56-yarder to operating again Khalil Herbert. Both got here by the use of display screen passes, which is why Fields’ air yards overall is minus-6 as his completions have been at the back of the road of scrimmage. It’s great to look him get conversant in new starters in his offense early. The Bears protection additionally registered 8 sacks, essentially the most of any workforce this preseason. Defensive lineman Trevis Gipson’s 8 quarterback pressures lead all gamers this preseason. Yes, the Titans had offensive line problems closing season, however it is an encouraging signal for closing season’s worst go rush.  The bad and the ugly: Turnovers. The offense struggled with out Fields and the starters within the recreation, committing two turnovers (an interception and a fumble misplaced) with the backups operating the display. Velus Jones Jr.’s muffed punt used to be ugly given he may just’ve let the…

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