It goes with out saying that attempting to glean an excessive amount of data from preseason is a idiot’s errand. Taking deep dives right into a staff’s efficiency and attempting to extrapolate that out to common season success will solely make you seem like a dope. For almost all of groups they’re working vanilla schemes, or attempting gimmick performs — generally each. That stated, what we are able to study from these video games is the 30,000 ft view, the massive image, seeing some traits that might be promising, or worrying relying on what facet of the coin you’re on.
Thursday evening gave us three video games all of which featured pretty stable groups who determine to both be contenders in 2025, or on the very least playoff hopefuls. Right here’s what we discovered from the video games, and the groups that took the sector final evening.
The Bengals get a giant ol’ grimacing face emoji
So right here’s the deal: The Bengals’ first staff offense regarded improbable. Joe Burrow was on level, Ja’Marr Chase lit issues up, and the whole lot was clicking. The issue is, they completely ought to have carried out that contemplating the Eagles rested all their starters.
The thought for Cincinnati was to make this an announcement recreation. It’s been a tumultuous offseason that’s nonetheless lingering with Trey Hendrickson sad together with his contract, and Shemar Stewart solely reaching an settlement on his rookie contract two weeks in the past. While you throw your starters out for vital time in Recreation 1 of preseason you’re attempting to promote a fanbase on hope, and if you lose that recreation it’s extraordinarily worrying.
What we discovered from the Bengals’ 27-34 loss is that the depth in Cincinnati stays a multitude. This staff falls off a cliff after its 1st staff is out of the image. When you can say that for many groups, the Bengals watched as their 1st staff was aggressive towards the Eagles’ 2s, then acquired dominated once they moved to backups towards Philly’s 3s — and so forth. Sure, we’re speaking concerning the Tremendous Bowl champions right here, however the vibes aren’t nice if you anticipated to come back out and run up the rating and simply dominate this recreation.
There isn’t a planet through which Tanner McKee ought to be capable to go 20-for-25, throwing for 252 yards and a couple of TDs towards your protection. Will Shipley averaging 6.9 yards-per-carry bodes poorly for the long run. All-in-all the Bengals seem to have the identical points they’ve for years now, the place exterior of Burrow, Chase, and Higgins there’s not so much to hold your hat on — particularly on protection.
It’s not like we are able to say Cincinnati aren’t going to compete primarily based off this one recreation, however we noticed in actual time how skinny they’re. Going deep within the playoffs inevitably means leaning on just a few key backups to hold the load, and primarily based on what we noticed Thursday, I’m undecided they’ve the expertise down the roster to do it.
I assume the Colts shall be high-quality
Indianapolis had an unpleasant recreation towards the Ravens, however I stay pretty bullish on Anthony Richardson regardless of the restricted reps he noticed on Thursday evening. What I noticed from Richardson was a way more condensed throwing movement, and much better choice making with the ball in his fingers. There wasn’t a whole lot of separation from his receivers, the vast majority of whom have been 2nd and third stringers, however he was nonetheless in a position to make performs.
There was one near-pick from Richardson on a 50/50 ball, which I are inclined to assume is extra attributable to an important play from DB Jalyn Armour-Davis, relatively than a real mistake on the a part of the quarterback. That stated, what I didn’t love was the Colts’ safety. There was far an excessive amount of edge stress coming via when Richardson was below middle, which is an even bigger drawback for the Colts than most groups on this place. Indy is within the means of attempting to rebuild Richardson and take away his pocket jitters which are inclined to make him escape too early, relatively than stand tall and undergo his development. Unhealthy safety has an opportunity to make these traits relapse, and that may’t occur for the Colts this 12 months.
Daniel Jones was extraordinarily mediocre. I don’t understand how this could actually be a QB battle at this level. Jones had completely satisfied ft within the pocket, not often regarded comfy, and sometimes instances overreacted to perceived stress. He simply doesn’t look comfy on this offense and doesn’t have the arm expertise to make the frozen rope throws that Richardson tried into visitors.
I like what Keaton Mitchell confirmed for the Ravens
Baltimore’s third string working again placed on a present towards the Colts, ending the sport with 9 carries for 68 yards and a TD. The Ravens have been blocking phenomenally for him, which was positively an element — however he additionally confirmed large poise with the ball in his fingers. Mitchell’s potential to be shifty and course of the sector rapidly may make him a sneaky weapon for the Ravens this season as a change of tempo again.
It is a participant who’s lightning fast and has large twitch to his recreation. Quite a few instances on Thursday evening he took what would have been a easy 4-to-5 yard acquire due to blocking, and opened it up into 10+ due to a transfer he made within the open discipline. I like that trait to him, and I believe long run he might be a weapon in key packages, probably evolving into a real RB2 behind Derrick Henry.
Jalen Milroe has an ‘it issue’
As a lot as I disliked the mammoth contract the Seahawks gave to Sam Darnold, a whole lot of that fear is ameliorated by them having Jalen Milroe ready within the wings. It’s clear that is going to be a piece in progress for the Seattle. Milroe’s large windup within the pocket is an issue, and easily gained’t work within the NFL — however he confirmed some superb playmaking potential out of construction in restricted time on Thursday evening.
Milroe has an important potential to maintain his eyes downfield whereas scrambling laterally, not dissimilar to Bryce Younger with the Carolina Panthers. Whereas his mechanics aren’t almost as crisp, there are constructing blocks right here — and Milroe is infinitely faster when carrying the ball. I see this as a possible brilliant spot for Seattle transferring ahead, and if they will proceed to develop him.
Cam Miller is likely to be a man to regulate
Yearly we get a darkish horse late spherical QB, and I actually beloved what I noticed from Raiders’ third stringer Cam Miller. A sixth spherical select of North Dakota State, he confirmed the arm expertise wanted to run a Pete Carroll offense higher than Aidan O’Connell did.
Naturally it’s simpler to look good towards the back-end of the roster, however I actually beloved what I noticed from Miller in restricted time. That is Geno Smith’s staff, and rightfully so, however I wish to see extra of Miller in preseason as a result of the flashes have been brilliant sufficient to marvel if he can’t become one thing greater than a QB3.
