What to Watch for in Each of Tonight's 12 Preseason Games
By Jason Lisk
The preseason schedule gets underway with a bang tonight with a whopping 12 games (out of 16) being played tonight. It’s the first preseason game so you can expect the starters to play a limited number of snaps–likely a quarter or less depending on the individual and experience/health levels. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t find some interesting things. Here is something to watch for in each, whether your interest is in gaining fantasy information or just wanting to watch the league.
Browns at Giants
Baker Mayfield’s debut highlights this one. It’s also Saquon Barkley’s unveiling, but the guess here is he will be very limited in the preseason, particularly in week 1, as the Giants preserve him for a stout workload once the season arrives. The Browns have several areas worth watching, including the wide receiver depth battle as Josh Gordon’s status remains uncertain.
Texans at Chiefs
Deshaun Watson could play tonight, and we will get a brief glimpse of where he is at in his recovery from the knee injury. Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes starts at Arrowhead amid much anticipation and excitement, and should play the entire first quarter. The Chiefs are replacing several veterans on a defense that collapsed last year, and J.J. Watt is trying to bounce back after two injury-filled years.
Colts at Seahawks
Andrew Luck will take the field for the first time in over 18 months. Marlon Mack is expected to be the lead back, and the Colts are significantly younger at that position after Frank Gore has moved on, and rookies Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins are behind Mack on the depth chart.
The Seattle running back rotation is a key one to watch. They used the first round pick on Rashaad Penny, but Chris Carson has been more impressive so far in camp and is back from his lower leg injury that cut short a promising rookie year last fall.
Cowboys at 49ers
Jimmy G will probably last for less time in this game than a Kiara Mia scene. But you get to see how Jerick McKinnon will be used early, and Matt Breida is a second-year player I want to see more of. Dallas, meanwhile, has had complete turnover at the skill positions. No more Dez or Jason Witten. What looks like a complete mess at WR and TE, and we will see who is first up in the rotations tonight.
Buccaneers at Dolphins
Tampa Bay coaches have had plenty of praise for Chris Godwin, and DeSean Jackson’s spot as a starter isn’t completely safe. We’ll see who is in the wide receiver rotations early. Meanwhile, Ronald Jones II is the expected starter at running back after being drafted in the second round, and we’ll get a first glimpse.
For Miami, Ryan Tannehill is expected to play in the opener, after missing all of last year with the knee injury. Meanwhile, the team is replacing Jarvis Landry and his gazillion catches. Holdovers Devante Parker and Kenny Stills are joined by Albert Wilson (from Chiefs) and Danny Amendola (from Patriots) and we can see how those rotations shake out early in the game.
Panthers at Bills
The Panthers will be working first-round pick D.J. Moore into the lineup and we’ll see if he is with the starters at the outset (Torrey Smith is also now with Carolina, though Moore is expected to be ahead of him by the time it matters).
Buffalo, of course, has the riveting quarterback situation. Rookie Josh Allen has been working with the third string unit, which means he might actually get to play quite a bit. Expect GIFs.
Steelers at Eagles
Carson Wentz is not going to play. You can get a glimpse of rookie Mason Rudolph getting plenty of playing time in this one, and maybe also catch a scowl from Ben Roethlisberger.
Bears at Bengals
The Bears will be on to the second game, after appearing in the Hall of Fame snoozer last week. We should see a little more of Matt Nagy’s first team offense. For the Bengals, I know you are excited about the debut of Billy Price at center. I know you are excited in general. Try to contain it. This could be the year they win a playoff game and you don’t want to burn out too quickly.
Saints at Jaguars
There are some wide receiver depth battles in both these squads that could be of interest. Cameron Meredith, after a lost season last year following a decent 2016 in Chicago, is now with the Saints and could be a sleeper. Jacksonville have a lot of names at wide receiver vying for opportunities after Marqise Lee. The candidates include Donte Moncrief, Keelan Cole, Dede Westbrook, and rookie DJ Chark.
Rams at Ravens
Lamar Jackson should get more reps this week after an uneven first game, and Robert Griffin III will also get to play after Flacco sits down. We get to see the Rams talented but volatile first team defense take the field–minus holdout Aaron Donald.
Redskins at Patriots
The top of the Washington depth chart is uncertain, and any of Paul Richardson, Josh Doctson, and Jamison Crowder should all be on the field in 3-WR sets and we can start to see who Alex Smith has early chemistry with. It’s also the debut for Derrius Guice, who fell in the draft due to some unspoken issues, but is expected to be the top back.
Meanwhile, Tom Brady will make a quick cameo and then have to get to bed early.
Titans at Packers
How will the Dion Lewis/Derrick Henry duo be used this year? I’m not sure we will get much of an answer tonight. Aaron Rodgers was very critical of his young wide receivers this week; but that third spot is available for the taking with Jordy Nelson now in Oakland.