By Vonora Lewis
Week 2 of the NFL preseason reminded us why August football is still worth watching. It’s not about the wins and losses it’s about the flashes of brilliance, the roster battles heating up, and the “uh-oh” moments that have coaches reaching for extra film sessions. From rookie quarterbacks finding their rhythm to veteran units showing cracks, here’s how the weekend shook out across the league.
Bengals Show Depth, Commanders Show Fight
Cincinnati came out firing against Washington, and for a preseason game, their depth was the headline. Burrow set the tone, but it was backup Jake Browning who stole the spotlight with two touchdown tosses to Mitchell Tinsley. On defense, the Bengals’ young secondary made noise with a pair of interceptions, proving this team’s depth chart has bite.
Washington wasn’t going down without a fight. Rookie running backs Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Bill Croskey-Merritt found the end zone, and first-year quarterback Jayden Daniels showed off his wheels with a highlight scramble for six. It wasn’t perfect, Dan Quinn wasn’t exactly thrilled about his second year QB taking hits in August, but the Commanders at least showed some offensive spark.
Rookies Refuse to Blend In
If Week 1 was about shaking off the nerves, Week 2 was about rookies announcing themselves.
• Jaxson Dart (Giants) looked nothing like a rookie, carving up the Jets’ defense with poise and precision. Russell Wilson may still be QB1, but the whispers around Dart are getting louder.
• Dillon Gabriel (Browns) put up steady numbers and reminded fans he’s more than preseason filler. His postgame comments caused some social buzz, but on the field, he’s doing exactly what Cleveland needs—move the chains and keep the offense humming.
• Abdul Carter (Giants) had a “welcome to the NFL” moment that went viral, but his teammates and coaches are sticking by him. Every rookie linebacker takes lumps—what matters is how fast he learns from them.
Saints and Jaguars Battle to a Tie
Nobody likes a tie, but this one had some fireworks. The Saints got big plays from Mason Tipton and Dante Pettis, while Jacksonville’s rookies showed grit, capped off by Jonas Sanker’s clutch interception to end the game. For both sides, it was less about the scoreboard and more about young talent making the most of their reps.
Bills and Chiefs: Plenty to Fix
If preseason is about exposing weaknesses, Buffalo and Kansas City got the message loud and clear. The Bills were blanked by Chicago, 38–0, and the body language said it all—sloppy tackling, stalled drives, no rhythm. McDermott called it “concerning,” and he wasn’t exaggerating.
The Chiefs didn’t fare much better. Seattle gashed them for nearly 270 rushing yards, leaving Kansas City’s defensive front looking overmatched. Sure, Robert Tonyan and Jalen Royals gave them a couple bright spots, but overall, Andy Reid’s group has work to do before Week 1.
Final Whistle
Preseason football doesn’t hand out trophies, but it does reveal truths.
• The Bengals look deep.
• The Commanders have intriguing rookies.
• The Giants might have a quarterback controversy brewing sooner than later.
• The Saints and Jags found playmakers in unexpected places.
• And the Bills and Chiefs? They’ve got some early-season soul-searching ahead.
Week 2 proved once again that even in August, the NFL never runs out of storylines. And with roster cuts looming, Week 3 should bring even more fireworks.
