NFL preseason Week 2 takeaways: Rookies Bryce Young, Bijan Robinson see action with different results

The second week of preseason video games for the 2023 NFL season kicked off Thursday night time with a matchup between the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles and the Cleveland Browns.

On Friday, the New York Giants hosted the Carolina Panthers and the Cincinnati Bengals have been on the highway towards the Atlanta Falcons.

There are 11 video games on Saturday and one every on Sunday and Monday. The Saturday slate has a number of attention-grabbing video games, together with Jacksonville at Detroit, Buffalo at Pittsburgh, and New England at Inexperienced Bay. The motion wraps up on Monday night time on ESPN with Baltimore at Washington.

Listed below are the largest takeaways from the primary three video games, together with the remainder of the Week 2 preseason schedule.

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Friday’s video games

Bengals: It isn’t simply the 2 preseason video games which have left the Joe Burrow-less offense missing sharpness. After Burrow went down within the second apply of coaching camp with a strained proper calf, the offense has sputtered.

On Friday, backup quarterback Jake Browning (16-of-22 for 140 yards) fared higher than Trevor Siemian (7-of-14 for 62 yards) who began in his flip within the rotation. However the Bengals did not rating an offensive landing within the first two preseason video games till the ultimate 50 seconds Friday, and the passing sport is not solely accountable. The run sport has been inefficient and penalties have ruined drives.

Except the Bengals get some enchancment or maybe discover another choice at backup quarterback, Cincinnati cannot afford to have Burrow injured through the common season.

The Bengals trotted out their first-team protection for a short stint towards the Falcons. We’ll see if the Bengals observe go well with for the preseason finale towards Washington. — Ben Child

Subsequent sport: at Commanders (6:05 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug 26)

Falcons: Atlanta obtained a little bit little bit of every little thing in its lone offensive drive with the starters within the sport. Quarterback Desmond Ridder appeared sharp, finishing 7 of 9 passes, and although the drive resulted in an interception, it was a tipped-ball choose by Joseph Ossai.

Rookie operating again Bijan Robinson was as marketed, making defenders miss, exhibiting high-level pace and looking out precisely as he had all through coaching camp. He has the traits of a particular participant with 4 carries for 20 yards. The largest concern was 4 penalties from the primary offensive unit, together with two holding calls on guard Chris Lindstrom, who had one penalty mixed in his first 4 NFL seasons.

Atlanta performed the overwhelming majority of its starters one collection on all sides of the ball towards the Bengals. Whereas it is potential Atlanta performs some starters Thursday towards Pittsburgh within the preseason finale, it will be stunning to see nearly all of them in motion once more earlier than Week 1 towards Carolina on Sept. 10. — Michael Rothstein

Subsequent sport: vs. Steelers (7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug 24)

Panthers: Rookie quarterback Bryce Younger wants some assist.

He wants it from his offensive line, which for the second straight week allowed the No. 1 general choose of the draft to take a few vicious hits (e.g., left deal with Ikem Ekwonu was crushed twice) and continued to make expensive penalties (e.g., a maintain on rookie proper deal with Chandler Zavala negated a 15-yard, third-down catch).

He wants it from his large receivers, who proceed to be sloppy with route operating. Final week Laviska Shenault Jr. ran too deep on a third-down play. Rookie Jonathan Mingo stopped his route quick Friday night time on a third-down throw that ought to have been accomplished.

The excellent news is Younger hasn’t misplaced his cool or made expensive errors. He accomplished 3 of 6 passes for 35 yards on two collection (17 performs) and led a 15-play, 62-yard drive for a discipline aim. Progress, however these round Younger aren’t enjoying successful soccer. — David Newton

Subsequent sport: vs. Lions (8 p.m. ET Friday, Aug 25)

Giants: Take into account this a dream preseason end result for the Giants’ starters, who coach Brian Daboll mentioned he wished to see sooner or later within the preseason. Quarterback Daniel Jones, making his first look since signing a four-year deal in March, appeared like a $160 million participant. He was near good in his one and solely drive, finishing 8 of 9 passes (together with three to new tight finish Darren Waller) for 69 yards and a landing.

Offseason addition large receiver Parris Campbell had two receptions on the drive, leaving everybody feeling good. Second-year outdoors linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux had a sack and a stress whereas enjoying into the second quarter, and rookie large receiver Jalin Hyatt, a third-round pick of Tennessee, used his blazing pace to attach on a deep ball for a 33-yard landing from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

All in all, the Giants obtained virtually every little thing they might have hoped for from their beginning group in restricted motion towards the Panthers. It is unlikely we see most of them in sport motion once more earlier than the Sunday night time season opener Sept. 10 towards the Dallas Cowboys.— Jordan Raanan

Subsequent sport: vs. Jets (6 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug 26)

Thursday’s sport

Eagles: Linebacker Nakobe Dean supplied some hope that the center of the protection is in good palms. One of many solely projected starters to see motion for Philadelphia, Dean generated a turnover close to the Eagles’ aim line when he shot into the backfield and hit operating again John Kelly Jr., knocking the ball free. Security Ok’Von Wallace recovered it for a Philly takeaway. The Eagles face uncertainty at linebacker after the departures of starters T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White in free company. Dean, the second-year participant out of Georgia, is predicted to safe the MIKE linebacker spot, the place he’ll be charged with relaying the calls and getting the protection set. He has been coping with an ankle damage and has had a fairly quiet summer time so far, however flashed a number of the playmaking means Thursday that made him a star for the nationwide champion Bulldogs. — Tim McManus

Subsequent sport: vs. Colts (8 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 24)

Browns: Rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson continued his standout preseason with one other spectacular efficiency towards Philadelphia. Taking part in the primary half in his first profession professional begin, Robinson-Thompson accomplished 13 of 25 passes for 164 yards. He additionally rushed for 18 yards on 4 carries. He led the Browns on three drives contained in the Philly 25-yard line. The previous UCLA star has positioned himself to change into Cleveland’s long-term backup QB of the long run behind starter Deshaun Watson. DTR most likely would be the No. 3 QB this season behind Watson and Joshua Dobbs. However he is on observe to change into the No. 2 QB by 2024. — Jake Trotter

Subsequent sport: at Chiefs (1 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 26)

NFL preseason video games on Saturday

Jacksonville Jaguars at Detroit Lions: 1 p.m. ET, NFL Community

Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans: 4 p.m. ET, NFL Community

Buffalo Payments at Pittsburgh Steelers: 6:30 p.m. ET

Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts: 7 p.m. ET, NFL Community

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets: 7:30 p.m. ET

New England Patriots at Inexperienced Bay Packers: 8 p.m. ET

Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings: 8 p.m. ET

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals: 8 p.m. ET

Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers: 8:30 p.m. ET

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams: 9 p.m. ET

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks: 10 p.m. ET, NFL Community

NFL preseason sport on Sunday

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers: 7:05 p.m. ET, NFL Community

NFL preseason sport on Monday

Baltimore Ravens at Washington Commanders: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN