The 2022 NFL preseason is officially in the books. This means real football is just around the corner. Before the rosters are finalized and preparations for Week 1 begin, however, which players and teams took big steps forward (or back) in Week 3 of the Expo schedule? Here’s a look at some of the main winners and losers from the Pre-Season Finals:
Winner: Veterans in QB competitions
Baker Mayfield was already locked in as the Panthers’ top quarterback, but he looked sharp on his 15 shots, putting the ball on the ball and guiding some scoring drives. He also won’t have to worry about Sam Darnold looming in the background at the moment, after the latter suffered a sprained ankle on his own touchdown run. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, Mitch Trubisky showed consistent contact behind an uncertain line in the start against the Lions, likely keeping him just ahead of rookie Kenny Pickett in the race for QB1. And Geno Smith’s solid, if unspectacular, performance for Seattle landed him the Seahawks job.
Speaking of competitive QBs, the former Broncos shooter basically threw himself out of work in Seattle’s tight loss to the Cowboys. His arm was active, sure, but at least two of his three picks were head-scratchers, and Geno Smith once again proved more reliable, if not excitingly, hence Pete Carroll crowning the former Jets starter his guy for Week 1.
Winner: Mobile Rookie QBs
Who doesn’t love a young QB with legs? The Titans got more predictable but chain juice from Malik Willis, who again eclipsed unpolished passes with big runs, including a 50-yard run for a near score against the Cardinals. The COs let Sam Howell handle all the QB work against the Ravens, and his grit made him the best rusher on the team. Baltimore, in the same game, saw undrafted Anthony Brown Jr. fill the lead role with his athleticism, perhaps securing a No. 3 spot behind fellow dual threats Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley.
Please check the subscribe box to confirm that you wish to subscribe.
Thank you for your registration!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
Sorry!
An error occurred while processing your subscription.
Loser: The Patriots offense
They’ve been losing the entire offseason, to be frank, so their flop against the Raiders in a 23-6 loss wasn’t necessarily a surprise. Again, Las Vegas was mostly rolling out backups, so there’s real reason to be concerned here. Mac Jones threw a bad pick and the unit just couldn’t get into a rhythm. Maybe you don’t have former defensive and special teams coaches to develop your QB!
Winner: AFC South rookies
Specifically, Dameon Pierce and Treylon Burks, who could have Week 1 starting roles for the Texans and Titans, respectively. Pierce averaged more than six yards per carry as the most explosive man in a crowded Houston backfield against the 49ers, while Burks entered the end zone after returning from injury in a game against the 49ers. ‘Arizona. The latter is probably more important to his team overall, but both youngsters could make or break their team’s offenses.
Loser: Saints offensive line
Not because they’re porous like the Steelers’ transition unit, but because rookie left tackle Trevor Penning, specially drafted to replace veteran Terron Armstead, suffered a serious injury that will require surgery and will keep him out indefinitely. . Now there is even more pressure on Jameis Winston to stay on his feet as he recovers from his own injury.
If you’re going to ask for a trade a few days before the final cuts, entering your third season as an underdog former second rounder, you better at least show up in the preseason. He did, with 102 yards and a big score on seven catches against the Giants. It’s now up to the Jets’ brass to determine if he really belongs on the roster, with a real role, on the outside.