The NFL preseason is officially underway, bringing a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation for fans and teams alike. The Houston Texans and Chicago Bears were the first to kick off the festivities last week, setting the stage for the rest of the league to join the action over the past four days.
One of the key highlights of the weekend was Caleb Williams' season debut against the Buffalo Bills. Williams, who played 18 snaps on Saturday, showcased both his arm and footwork, completing 4 of 7 pass attempts for an impressive 95 yards and adding 13 yards on the ground. Though Williams' performance was promising, Bo Nix drew significant attention as well.
Nix did not start the game but made quite an impact after Jarrett Stidham took the initial snaps. Nix completed 15 of 21 pass attempts for 125 yards and one touchdown, in addition to contributing 17 rushing yards. His precision and versatility were evident, with an average of 5.4 yards per attempt as noted by TruMedia.
J.J. McCarthy also had a notable performance, going 11 for 17 for 188 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. Jack Jones' timely interception of McCarthy's late-game pass was a pivotal moment, shifting momentum in favor of the opposing team.
Michael Penix Jr. brought his A-game, completing 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards. Meanwhile, Jayden Daniels showed his versatility as both a passer and a runner. Despite a screen pass that sailed over the intended receiver's head, Daniels managed to complete 2 of 3 pass attempts for 45 yards and rushed into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown.
Drake Maye, though limited in his opportunities, made the most of his time on the field, completing 2 of 3 pass attempts for 19 yards. It was also a fruitful day for first-year running backs Bucky Irving, Audric Estime, and Jaylen Wright, all of whom found the end zone, showcasing the depth of emerging talent in the league.
The San Francisco 49ers saw a strong performance from Dominick Puni, who started at right guard, reinforcing the strength of their offensive line. On the defensive side, Austin Booker made a significant impact for the Bears with 2.5 sacks, and Dallas Turner registered his first professional sack for the Minnesota Vikings.
Defensive back Josh Newton made a critical play for Cincinnati by snagging an interception, contributing to his team's defensive efforts. The Vikings had to navigate their game without Kirk Cousins, who was sidelined due to an injury, adding an additional layer of challenge to their preseason preparations.
In the receiving corps, Will Shipley and Jermaine Burton both caught touchdowns, adding to the dynamic offensive efforts displayed over the weekend. These early preseason games give fans a glimpse of the potential and areas for improvement as teams continue to fine-tune their rosters and strategies ahead of the regular season.
The NFL preseason serves as a critical period for players to prove their worth and for teams to assess their lineups. As the games continue, the performance of veterans and rookies alike will shape the narratives and expectations for the season ahead. The thrilling debuts and standout performances witnessed thus far set a promising tone for what's to come in the NFL's 2023 season.