Analysis

8/22/22

28 min read

NFL Preseason Week 2: Scores, News, Analysis and Highlights

Desmond Ridder

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

Lance McCutcheon Continuing to Deliver Big Plays

Rams' undrafted wide receiver Lance McCutcheon has been impressing in camp and made himself a preseason darling with his play last week versus the Chargers. McCutcheon has continued where he left off in the Rams' Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans.

Chris Olave Scores First TD in the NFL

First-round wide receiver Chris Olave scored for the first time in the NFL in the Saints' preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.

USFL Alum Tae Hayes Records First NFL Interception

Tae Hayes, an undrafted free agent in 2019, has bounced around a couple of NFL teams before winding up in the USFL. Hayes played well for the Birmingham Stallions and signed back with the Carolina Panthers this offseason. Hayes made the most of playing time and recorded a pick-six off of Bailey Zappe against the Patriots.

Jordan Love Starting off Strong

Jordan Love has to impress the Packers and other teams this preseason, and so far to start their Week 2 game against the Saints, Love has thrown well.

Mac Jones Dealing Deep

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones took awhile to get started, but he led New England down the field on a nice scoring drive capped off by this 45-yard pass to Nelson Agholor. New England will need him to keep hitting on these deeper throws throughout the season.

P.J. Walker Set to Start for Panthers Tonight

With both Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold still entrenched in a battle to be the starting quarterback. After joint practices this week with the New England Patriots, they are going to be giving the reps to backup P.J. Walker, who gets the start tonight. With mostly 2's and 3's playing this evening, neither Mayfield nor Darnold gets the start.

 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18

Even in the Preseason, Seattle Bringing the Surprises

The drive didn't end in points (despite a highlight-reel effort from Aaron Fuller). But Seattle made things fun over the final couple minutes of its preseason game against Chicago. The Seahawks broke out a surprise onside kick down 27-11 with under two minutes to play, and got the recovery. An 11-play drive stalled out at the Chicago 4, though, and the score remained 27-11 for a Chicago victory. The Bears are 2-0 in the preseason, while Seattle falls to 0-2.

Thompson Gets the Seahawks to the End Zone

Too little, too late, but Seattle is putting together some good highlights to end Thursday's preseason game against Chicago. After a muffed punt by the Bears gave Seattle the ball at the Chicago 44, Seattle reached the end zone in nine plays. Darwin Thompson capped things off with an eight-yard touchdown. Thompson had just missed a touchdown earlier in the second half.

Something to Cheer About for Seattle

Thursday night's preseason game was decided many drives earlier, but Seattle continues to fight to the final whistle. Chicago crafted a 13-play drive down to the Seattle 1-yard line, but the Seahawks made a goalie stand on 4th and Goal to keep the Bears out. Seattle got a nice break-up on third down from rookie corner Coby Bryant, and then Iggy Iyiegbuniwe stacked up De'Montre Tuggle at the goal line on fourth.

Seattle Dodges a Shutout

There will not be a shutout to begin Week 2 of the preseason. Fueled by Jacob Eason and an electric hurdle from Darwin Thompson, Seattle got on the board late in the third quarter, with a field goal. Eason completed four passes on the drive to lead Seattle to the red zone for the first time all game. Seattle stalled out at the Chicago 4, and Jason Myers came on to knock a field goal through to make the score 24-3 Chicago.

Thompson earned himself a major highlight late in the drive with this carry, easily clearing a defender with an impressive hurdle during a 16-yard run down to the Chicago 3.

Chicago Just Keeps Piling On

Justin Fields began Week 2 of the preseason for Chicago by leading the Bears to a field goal. Trevor Siemian came on after that, and two drives later led the Bears to a touchdown. And now the third QB of the game for Chicago, Nathan Peterman, has completed a scoring drive of his own. Peterman was a perfect 3/3 for 46 yards on the Bears' first drive of the second half. He took Chicago to the one-yard line, where Darrynton Evans finished the drive with a touchdown. Chicago leads 24-0 early in the third, and are well on the way to a 2-0 record this preseason.

Seahawk Mistakes Continue to Add to Chicago's Lead

Elijah Hicks was the beneficiary of some unexpected points for the Chicago Bears just before halftime against Seattle. A Bears' punt was muffed by Seattle return man Cade Johnson, and Hicks was down there on the coverage unit to fall on the fumble in the end zone. The score came with 20 seconds left in the half, and put Chicago up 17-0. The play served as a good summation of the half for the struggling Seahawks. Pete Carroll lamented the errors made on defense, and the offense committed multiple penalties. Seattle had seven of those penalties in the first half, for 54 total yards.

Geno Dropping Dimes in Starting Audition

Geno Smith is getting more than a half of football Thursday night to make his case as Seattle's starter this season. With throws like this one, he may just beat out Drew Lock for the job under center. Smith dropped a throw in to Penny Hart for 41 yards on the Seahawks' fourth drive of the game. The throw almost doubled the total yards for Seattle so far in the game. Seattle was unable to score on the drive, however. Jason Myers missed a 47-yard field goal, and Seattle still trails Chicago 10-0 in the second quarter.

Seattle Loses Damien Lewis to Injury

The Seahawks have lost a key member of their offensive line after an injury during the second quarter of Thursday's game against Chicago. Guard Damien Lewis, a multi-year starter for the Seahawks who was expected to play left guard for them this season, was carted off the field in an air cast.

Seahawks' Struggles Continue on Defense

The Seahawks are hoping that what their defense has shown through five quarters of the preseason is not what they can expect to see come the regular season. Seattle allowed scoring drives on the first possessions for both Chicago quarterbacks Thursday night, putting them in a 10-0 hole early. Head coach Pete Carroll even voiced some concerns at the start of the second quarter, referencing poor tackling and blown coverages. The poor showing in Week 2 follows a Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where all three Pittsburgh quarterbacks put up strong showings. Combined, Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and Kenny Pickett went 26/37 for 224 yards and four touchdowns in the Steelers' win. Through three drives on Thursday, Chicago's Justin Fields and Trevor Siemian had combined to go 10/13 for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Chicago Keeping it Simple for Six

Trevor Siemian and Jake Tonges have Chicago in the end zone on the first play of the second quarter. Siemian found Tonges on a short toss to the flat for a two-yard touchdown and a 10-0 lead. It is the first catch of the preseason for Tonges, and the third touchdown pass for Siemian.

Velus Jones Nearly Houses One

There were no punt returns taken for touchdowns in the first week of the 2022 preseason. Chicago Bears' rookie Velus Jones nearly began Week 2 with the first one. The third-round pick out of Tennessee who shined as a return man and receiver in college nearly took a first-quarter punt back for a touchdown. Jones out-ran all but two players on a 48-yard return, getting forced out of bounds as he caught up to his own blocker and with one Seahawk to beat.

Fields Looking Good as Bears Take Early Lead

The Chicago Bears planned to play their starters about 10 snaps against Seattle on Thursday night, which means the first drive will be the only one for Justin Fields and the Bears' key players on offense. The second-year quarterback led a 10-play drive all the way to the Seattle 15-yard line before things stalled out, but Cairo Santos knocked through a field goal to put Chicago up 3-0. Fields showed his mobility throughout the drive to escape Seattle pressure, including on this pass to tight end Cole Kmet for a 19-yard gain. It was one of two passes to Kmet that resulted in a first down.

Geno Smith Getting Plenty of Time as Seattle's Starter Tonight

With Drew Lock out for Seattle's preseason game against Chicago tonight, Geno Smith will be getting a big opportunity to make his case to be the Seahawks' starting quarterback this season. Head coach Pete Carroll said that Smith could play into the third quarter against the Bears. That would be an increase in time for Smith, who played the first half of Seattle's Week 1 preseason game against Pittsburgh, before Lock came on for the second half.

Chicago's Starters Getting Limited Work vs. Seattle

The Chicago Bears will be playing their starters in Week 2 of the preseason tonight, but it will not be for long. Head coach Matt Eberflus is planning to limit many of his starters to 10 plays against Seattle, though some could get up to the 20-snap range before being pulled in favor of younger players fighting for roster spots. Chicago had only four days between tonight's game and their preseason opener, a win over Kansas City on Saturday.

Trubisky to Start Steelers' Second Preseason Game

The Pittsburgh Steelers are making an adjustment to their quarterback rotation for their second preseason game, but it will still be Mitch Trubisky beginning the game for the team. Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed on Thursday that Trubisky will start on Saturday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The free agent signing also started Pittsburgh's preseason opener against Seattle in Week 1. Kenny Pickett will replace Trubisky against Jacksonville, with Mason Rudolph the last of the team's three starting candidates taking the field. Rudolph was the second QB on in Week 1, with Pickett replacing him and playing the entire second half.

Watson, Now Suspended, Will Not Play Rest of Preseason

Deshaun Watson's next NFL game will now also be his return to Houston. The Cleveland Browns' quarterback will not be appearing in either of the team's remaining preseason games, according to Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski. The NFL and NFLPA earlier today reached an agreement on an 11-game suspension for Watson to begin the season. With Watson not appearing in the remainder of Cleveland's preseason schedule, his next NFL contest will come in Week 13 at the Houston Texans on Dec. 4. Watson was traded from Houston to Cleveland this offseason.


Click here for results from Week 1 of the preseason, and a schedule for this weekend's games.


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