Must watch games of Week 3 preseason: Patriots, Bears, Commanders, Steelers
The first full week of the preseason is in the books and now it’s time to take a look at this weekend’s games, starting with Eagles vs Patriots on Thursday.
During the NFL’s preseason you have to pick and choose the games you want to watch. There is a lot of football stretched out over three or four days. While you may be a football fanatic, it’s hard to watch each and every quarter of each and every game of preseason.
QBs spotlighted in Week 2
This preseason, just like most preseasons, are centered around quarterbacks. Rookie quarterbacks usually dominate headlines in these exhibitions and there are plenty of rookies to share the spotlight over the next few weeks.
Some teams have quarterback competitions that will be decided by the three preseason games. Coaches take a look at how each of their gun slingers handle game situations that can’t be replicated in practice and come to their decisions before Week 1.
This week we will get another chance to take a look at some of these rookie quarterbacks, and see how the QB competitions are playing out. Obviously for coaches, their focus will be on more than just QBs, but the average NFL fan will be keeping the focus on those under center for the next few weeks. Here are the headline games coming into the weekend.
Eagles vs. Patriots Thursday, August 15th @ 7:00 p.m. ET
After a disappointing season in 2023, the Eagles will want to get the kinks worked out as soon as possible. They have new coordinators on both sides of the ball, and in Week 1 Philly’s defense looked in midseason form. We didn’t see Jalen Hurts last week, but may see him in the second game of the Eagles preseason tour, but really this is a must watch game for the quarterbacks on the other side of the ball.
New England continues to search for their successor to Tom Brady at the QB position. Just in case they didn’t hit it right on the head with their first round pick, Drake Maye, they took another QB in the sixth round. Joe Milton had the best rookie showing of anyone last week, and I can’t wait to see what the former Tennessee Volunteer has in store for the primetime game against the Eagles.
Bears vs. Bengals Saturday, August 17th @ 1:00 p.m. ET
Surprisingly enough, Joe Burrow put the pads on and took a few snaps in the Bengals preseason opener in the against the Buccaneers. He hadn’t played since mid November when he tore a ligament in his wrist. He played the first game, so expect to see just as much if not more of Burrow who went 5/7 for 51 yards and a TD.
Chicago fans, and the rest of the world, got a chance to see their No. 1 pick that they have been drooling over since they secured the top spot in the draft at the end of the season. He played two series against the Bills, leading Chicago on two field goal drives while showing great pocket presence and mobility. Let’s see how much time coach Eberflus gives his rookie QB in game #2.
Giants vs. Texans Saturday, August 17th @ 1:00 p.m. ET
The Texans will be playing in their third game of the preseason after kicking off their exhibition tour in Canton against the Bears. While none of DeMeco Ryans starters played in the first game, they did play over the weekend against the Steelers. CJ Stroud was under center and we saw him connect with his old buddy Tank Dell on a 34 yard TD pass.
New York trembled after watching their franchise quarterback go down with a season ending ACL injury in November. Despite signing a four year contract, Daniel Jones has never been a fan favorite especially with undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito becoming the King of New York for a few weeks last season. Jones is set to make his return this week against the Texans.
Bills vs. Steelers Saturday, August 17th @ 7:00 p.m. ET
There is one question the Bills have to answer this season: has their Super Bowl window closed after shipping off key guys on both sides of the ball during the offseason? Josh Allen played just one series last week against the Bills, but should get a few more snaps as he tries to expedite the bond with his receivers, most of them new to the team.
The Steelers have one of the most interesting quarterback situations in the league. They brought in Justin Fields and Russell Wilson in a matter of days back in the offseason, and now both QBs are going to duke it out for the starting gig. Fields got the start against the Texans as Wilson sat the game out with a calf injury.
Commanders vs. Dolphins, Saturday August 17th @ 7:00 p.m. ET
No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels made his long awaited debut last week against the Jets. He was a virtual lock for the starting gig once Week 1 comes rolling around, and even more so after his first game in a Commanders jersey. He played one drive, had a 42 yard dime and had a three yard TD run as he showed a lot of potential in a very short amount of time. We are certain to see a bit more of him this week against a Dolphins.
Miami might give us our first glimpse of Tua and Tyreek this season after resting their starters in the first game. They have a couple of rookie receivers that will be battling for a spot on the roster.