The second week of the 2025 NFL preseason saw several teams give their starters extended playing time in a dress rehearsal for the regular season. Here’s a summary of the weekend’s key performances and developments.
Saturday’s Games
Giants vs. Jets
The buzz around Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart continues to grow after another impressive outing. The first-round pick led consecutive touchdown drives to open the second half, finishing 14-of-16 for 137 yards with a passing touchdown and a rushing score. While veteran Russell Wilson guided a touchdown drive to start the game, Dart is making a strong case that he could be ready to start sooner rather than later.
For the Jets, quarterback Justin Fields and the passing offense struggled to find a rhythm, a continuation of their issues in training camp. In two series, Fields completed only his first pass before finishing with five straight incompletions, two of which were influenced by a high snap and quarterback pressure. The ground game showed potential, but the lack of a reliable second wide receiver to complement Garrett Wilson remains a significant concern for the offense.
Steelers vs. Buccaneers
With Baker Mayfield resting for the Buccaneers, backup Teddy Bridgewater threw touchdown passes of 15 yards to running back Bucky Irving and 5 yards to receiver Emeka Egbuka. However, wide receiver Jalen McMillan exited with a back injury and is being evaluated for a concussion. On defense, Zyon McCollum recorded an interception, but cornerback Jamel Dean had a difficult night, allowing a 42-yard reception and a 2-yard touchdown on the same drive.
The Steelers’ run defense was dominant, holding Tampa Bay to just 2.5 yards per carry in the first half. The offense, however, continued to look sluggish on the ground. With starter Jaylen Warren sitting out, rookie running back Kaleb Johnson received significant work but had mixed results, showing flashes of potential but also struggling to find consistent yardage.
Chargers vs. Rams
Rams third-string quarterback Stetson Bennett delivered a much-improved performance, completing 28 of 40 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns against one interception. Bennett, who has played the majority of the preseason as starters rest, led his first touchdown drive against most of the Chargers’ first-team defense. Meanwhile, the team declined to comment on the status of starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was scheduled for a workout Saturday to address an aggravated disk in his back.
The Chargers’ rookie wide receivers, KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Tre Harris, were the stars of the game. Both made spectacular diving catches of over 30 yards. Lambert-Smith, a fifth-round pick who has excelled in training camp, had two catches for 66 yards. Harris, a second-round pick who had struggled with drops, broke out with a team-leading six catches for 85 yards.
Ravens vs. Cowboys
The Baltimore Ravens have found their new kicker. Following an impressive performance in which he made 5 of 6 field goals, including successful kicks from 51 and 53 yards, rookie sixth-round pick Tyler Loop was named the team’s starter for the 2025 season by coach John Harbaugh.
The Dallas Cowboys, however, face uncertainty at backup quarterback. Joe Milton III struggled, throwing an interception on a forced deep ball and taking a sack in the end zone for a safety. His performance was a stark contrast to that of former Cowboys backup Cooper Rush, who, despite two interceptions, threw a touchdown pass for the Ravens. Dallas may need to give third-stringer Will Grier more opportunities in the final preseason game.
Cardinals vs. Broncos
The Denver Broncos showcased their roster depth as second- and third-team players dominated the Cardinals’ reserves. Denver scored on four of its first five possessions, while its defense held Arizona to 126 total yards through three quarters. Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham has been particularly effective this preseason, completing 30 of 38 passes for 376 yards and four touchdowns.
For the Cardinals, rookie cornerback Denzel Burke had a typical debut, showing both promise and areas for improvement. While he allowed three catches for 62 yards and a touchdown on six targets, he also displayed the natural talent that suggests he could become a key part of the cornerback rotation with further development.
Raiders vs. 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers’ offense looked sharp on its opening drive, with quarterback Brock Purdy connecting with receiver Ricky Pearsall three times for 42 yards. The drive, however, ended with bad news, as starting right guard Dominick Puni suffered a right knee injury on the ensuing field goal attempt and was ruled out. The injury will likely lead the 49ers to rest most of their starters in the preseason finale.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ run defense was stout, allowing just 2.8 yards per carry in the first half. Their pass defense, however, was a significant weakness. The first-team unit allowed Purdy to complete 5 of 7 passes for 66 yards on the opening drive. Despite a later interception by safety Jeremy Chinn, the Raiders’ secondary showed inconsistency and struggled to contain San Francisco’s receivers.
Panthers vs. Texans
The Houston Texans’ starting defense appears ready for the regular season after dominating the Panthers’ first-team offense. In three series, Houston allowed only a single first down and held quarterback Bryce Young to zero completions while recording a sack. An interception by cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was nullified by a penalty, but the unit’s overwhelming performance reaffirmed its potential to be a top-10 group.
The Carolina Panthers’ offense, meanwhile, has considerable work to do. In two brief series, Young went 0-for-2 with a sack and had an interception negated by a penalty. The starters generated only two total yards, prompting questions about whether they will need to see more action in the final preseason game to build confidence and chemistry.
Eagles vs. Browns
For the Philadelphia Eagles, rookie safety Andrew Mukuba made a compelling case for a starting role. The second-round pick had a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown and a fumble recovery in the first half. Mukuba, who led the SEC in interceptions last year, is competing with third-year player Sydney Brown for the starting job, and his playmaking ability could give him the edge.
The Cleveland Browns saw a mixed debut from rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The third-round pick led three scoring drives but also threw a costly pick-six and lost a fumble on a botched handoff. With Joe Flacco likely to start Week 1 due to injuries, Gabriel’s uneven performance leaves the backup quarterback position unsettled heading into the final week of the preseason.
Vikings vs. Patriots
Undrafted rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III may have secured a roster spot with the New England Patriots after an impressive first half. Chism recorded six catches for 71 yards, including a remarkable 12-yard touchdown where he broke multiple tackles. His performance may force the Patriots to keep a sixth or even seventh receiver on the final roster.
With their starters resting, the Minnesota Vikings evaluated their backup quarterbacks and return specialists. Presumptive No. 2 quarterback Sam Howell struggled, completing just one of five passes with an interception. Rookie Max Brosmer, however, played well in the second half, making the backup competition more interesting. In the return game, rookie Myles Price provided a highlight with an 81-yard kickoff return.
Colts vs. Packers
Early penalties plagued the Green Bay Packers, with rookie tackle Anthony Belton committing five in the first half alone. On a positive note, second-year running back MarShawn Lloyd showed his potential with a 33-yard reception on a wheel route. Lloyd, who missed most of his rookie season, is valued for his explosiveness but needs to stay healthy after appearing to get shaken up on the play.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. saw his most extensive action of the preseason in his competition with Daniel Jones for the starting job. Richardson completed 6 of 11 passes for 73 yards, leading a 90-yard touchdown drive before penalties derailed his subsequent possessions. Jones started the game and led a field goal drive, completing 7 of 11 attempts for 101 yards.
Lions vs. Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins may have a genuine competition for the backup quarterback role. Veteran Zach Wilson had a solid but hesitant start, completing 15 of 23 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown while missing some open deep throws. Rookie Quinn Ewers showed significant improvement from his debut, connecting on 11 of 16 passes for two touchdowns, both to fellow rookie Theo Wease Jr.
For the Detroit Lions, rookie Sione Vaki made a versatile preseason debut after returning from a hamstring injury. He contributed on special teams by forcing a fumble on a punt return and added 30 yards on five carries on offense. His ability to play multiple roles could help him carve out a place in a crowded backfield.
Friday’s Games
Chiefs vs. Seahawks
Running back Zach Charbonnet continued to make his case for a significant role in the Seattle Seahawks’ backfield. With Kenneth Walker III sidelined again, Charbonnet rushed for 45 yards on the opening drive, capped by a 15-yard touchdown run. Given Walker’s recurring availability issues, Seattle’s backfield could feature a more even split than a traditional starter-backup dynamic.
The Kansas City Chiefs saw their prominent defensive rookies struggle with extended playing time. The defense surrendered large gains on the ground as tackle Omarr Norman-Lott and end Ashton Gillotte failed to make an impact. Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa was exploited on misdirection plays, and cornerback Nohl Williams left the game with a concussion.
Falcons vs. Titans
After a difficult practice earlier in the week, Tennessee Titans rookie receiver Elic Ayomanor bounced back with a strong game performance. Ayomanor caught two passes for 47 yards, proving to be a difficult matchup in the middle of the field. Fellow rookie Gunnar Helm also impressed, securing a 25-yard touchdown catch over two defenders and finishing with four receptions for 48 yards.
The Atlanta Falcons’ deep wide receiver group is creating tough decisions for the coaching staff ahead of final roster cuts. David Sills V, Chris Blair, and Dylan Drummond all made impactful plays. Blair caught a 52-yard touchdown, while Drummond now has 12 receptions in two preseason games. Sills, a favorite target of Kirk Cousins in practice, was pulled early, possibly indicating his roster spot is secure.
