What We Learned About Each NFL Team This Preseason
The 2015 NFL preseason is officially over. The long, monotonous offseason is a thing of the past, and we're going to have meaningful football in less than a week.
If you're not at least a little bit excited, this probably isn't the article for you.
Here, we're going to take a look at each NFL team and what we learned about it during the past month of exhibition action. These preseason games don't carry any weight in the standings, but they do provide a little insight into teams heading into the regular season.
Is Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer completely recovered from his ACL injury? Do the Dallas Cowboys really have an answer for the running game?
Here are the biggest takeaways from the 2015 preseason.
Arizona Cardinals
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Carson Palmer Is Ready to Take on the 2015 Season
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer was an absolute star when he was healthy in 2014. He completed 62.9 percent of his passes with an 11-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He was rated 18th overall among all quarterbacks by Pro Football Focus for the year.
The problem was that Palmer was only healthy for six games, and his season ended with a torn ACL.
Well, after three preseason contests (he sat out the finale), it's fairly safe to say that his health isn't a question mark.
Palmer was excellent in his first two preseason outings, completing a combined 7-of-11 pass attempts for 165 yards and a touchdown. He got smacked around by the Oakland Raiders the last time he was on the field, but even that provided a sense of comfort.
At no point did Palmer appear to be physically or mentally weakened by last year's knee injury. This is important because the Cardinals are going to have to rely on him to succeed in 2015.
Mark Benoit of the MMQB.com recently explained why Palmer is such a good fit in Arizona:
"It’s not that he’s a superstar quarterback (those days are past), it’s that he’s a very professional one. He’s tough and fundamentally sound in the pocket. He’s smart and works smoothly from one progression to the next. Progression reads are the nexus of [head coach Bruce] Arians’ system—Arians calls it a “scratch where it itches” system, meaning it’s not tethered to any one player.
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In addition to knowing that Palmer is 100 percent healthy, we also learned that rookie receiver J.J. Nelson is likely to be something special. This year's fifth-round pick has incredible speed (ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at the combine), and he has flashed it in the preseason.
Nelson finished the preseason with five receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown. That gives him an impressive average of 29.4 yards per catch.
Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Should Have an Improved Pass Rush in 2015
The Atlanta Falcons had plenty of trouble getting to opposing quarterbacks in 2014. In fact, the only team to produce fewer than Atlanta's 22 sacks was the Cincinnati Bengals.
It doesn't appear that the Falcons are going to face the same problem in 2015. The team produced nine sacks in the preseason, and Pro Football Focus rated it 14th overall in pass rush.
Part of the turnaround has come from the scheming of new head coach Dan Quinn. Part has come from the additions of free-agent pass-rusher Adrian Clayborn and rookie Vic Beasley.
The Falcons have also gotten contributions from Tyson Jackson and O'Brien Schofield, who each have a sack this preseason.
Atlanta has also been better against the run this preseason, allowing an average of just 78.2 yards per game on the ground (fifth-fewest in the NFL). This is another benefit of the switch to Quinn's 4-3 defensive system. Atlanta simply appears like a much more formidable team up front defensively.
Of course, there are still issues on that side of the ball. The Falcons allowed an average of 244.5 passing yards per game in the preseason, fifth-most in the league.
For now, it seems Atlanta is starting down the right defensive path.
Baltimore Ravens
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It's Difficult to Tell Who Will Pick Up the Slack in the Passing Game
The Baltimore Ravens have shown this preseason that the team can move the ball through the air in new coordinator Marc Trestman's system. The Ravens have averaged 228.2 yards per game passing (seventh-most in the NFL).
The question here is who will start alongside veteran Steve Smith? Smith (six receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown) has been the only wideout to consistently shine on the exhibition field for Baltimore.
Marlon Brown (five catches for 100 yards for the preseason) had a breakout game in the preseason finale after a quiet, injury-filled camp. However, Brown wasn't supposed to be the Ravens' No. 2 pass-catcher. That job was supposed to go to first-round pick Breshad Perriman.
Unfortunately, Perriman has missed all of training camp and the preseason with a knee injury. According to Fox Sports, there is still no timetable for his return. It could take some time for Perriman to develop once he does return, considering he was a raw prospect to begin with and has zero on-field pro experience.
Second-year receiver Jeremy Butler leads the team with 10 receptions for 76 yards, but he hasn't exactly shined. According to Pro Football Focus, his 10 receptions have come on a team-high 139 offensive snaps.
In fact, no one has stood out this preseason aside from Smith, which could leave Brown as the de facto No. 2 wideout until Perriman returns and is ready. Brown averaged just 1.7 receptions per game a year ago.
The good news is that rookie tight end Maxx Williams (five receptions for 61 yards) has shown promise as a pass-catcher and can likely help boost the attack.
The problem is that unless the Ravens can find a reliable second option, opposing defenses are likely to double Smith and force quarterback Joe Flacco to look elsewhere.
Buffalo Bills
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Tyrod Taylor Could Be a Future Superstar
When the offseason began, most assumed that the Buffalo Bills' quarterback competition could come down to a two-man race between EJ Manuel and journeyman Matt Cassel. However, former Ravens backup Tyrod Taylor stepped into the picture and completely flipped it.
Taylor was excellent in the preseason and was recently named as the regular-season starter by the team.
In some cases, a quarterback will win a competition because the other options take a nose dive. However, Cassel, Manuel and Taylor all showed glimpses of talent during exhibition competition. Taylor won the job because he deserved to, and the speedy Virginia Tech product is looking like a future star.
Taylor completed 24 of 31 pass attempts in the preseason for 236 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed 11 times for 108 yards and a touchdown. He is rated second overall (tied, ironically, with Manuel) among all quarterbacks by Pro Football Focus for the preseason.
"Tyrod Taylor is the superior athlete, and he showed in the preseason he could be more than just a runaround guy," Tom Pelissero of USA Today wrote. "Making some plays from the pocket surely helped Joe Flacco’s former backup win the job over Cassel and former first-round pick EJ Manuel."
Head coach Rex Ryan has a history of showing interest in mobile, dual-threat quarterback (Michael Vick and Tim Tebow, anyone?) so Taylor may have had the inside track all along. However, he has looked like a poised, accurate signal-caller throughout the preseason and not just an athlete playing quarterback.
The Buffalo defense isn't likely to allow games to get out of hand, which will help Taylor. Another thing we learned is that the Bills defense looks to be one of the toughest, deepest overall units in the league.
The Bills allowed an average of just 253.8 yards per game during the preseason, fifth-fewest in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers
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The Panthers Suddenly Look Loaded in the Backfield
The Carolina Panthers still have veteran running back Jonathan Stewart on the roster, but fifth-round draft pick Cameron Artis-Payne has been the one turning heads in the preseason.
Artis-Payne has carried the ball 30 times for 139 yards and has added a pair of receptions.
"The SEC's leading rusher last season could be a fifth-round steal," David Newton of ESPN.com recently wrote of Artis-Payne.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars back Jordan Todman has also been impressive out of the backfield. He has racked up 134 yards on just 17 carries this preseason. Even though one of his runs went for 49 yards, Todman has still averaged 5.1 yards per carry on the other 16.
As a team, the Panthers are rated sixth overall in rushing offense by Pro Football Focus.
Of course, the Panthers will also have the benefit of quarterback Cam Newton chewing up yards on the ground. Newton has been careful to avoid contact and unnecessary hits (you can learn something, RGIII), so he hasn't been scrambling much in the preseason. However, he will be a legitimate weapon in the running game in the regular season.
There has been cause for concern regarding the Panthers' passing game since Kelvin Benjamin went down for the year with a torn ACL. However, the Carolina rushing attack just might be strong enough to compensate for the questions at receiver and to help push for another NFC South title.
Chicago Bears
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The Bears Are Going to Focus More on the Run in 2015
When Marc Trestman was head coach of the Chicago Bears, it often felt like the running game was a complete afterthought in his offense. So far, it feels like running the ball is going to be a focal point of the offense under head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
Chicago maintained a powerful rushing attack in the preseason, finishing fifth in average yardage with 134.2 yards per game on the ground.
Pro Football Focus rated Chicago first overall in rushing offense. Rookie Jeremy Langford (5.5 yards per carry) may have been the biggest standout of the backfield group.
The Bears can certainly use a strong rushing attack this season. The team is unlikely to have rookie wideout Kevin White this year after the seventh overall pick underwent shin surgery. Star receiver Alshon Jeffery has also been out with a calf injury.
A strong running game could be enough to make up for an ailing receiving corps and to keep quarterback Jay Cutler healthy, happy and motivated. If Cutler is forced to carry the offense and struggles like last season, we could well see the return of Captain Apathy. Right now, Cutler seems happy.
"I feel comfortable," Cutler said, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. "[Gase] is doing a really good job of making sure the quarterback is in good position.
Fortunately, it seems the Bears are determined to make the ground game a strength in the regular season, as well.
Cincinnati Bengals
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Andy Dalton Is Going to Have Plenty of Weapons in 2015
If Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton continues his trend of falling flat under the spotlight, he definitely won't be able to blame a lack of offensive firepower.
Everyone knows Dalton has A.J. Green, but Green missed three games last season and rarely appeared to be 100 percent healthy in 2014. He's looked back to his old self in the preseason (five receptions for 59 yards), and several lesser-known players have emerged as well—many of whom may not actually make the team.
Marvin Jones is back after an injury-plagued 2014 campaign and has looked good (17.3 yards per reception). The same is true for tight end Tyler Eifert, who has five receptions for 67 yards this preseason. Rookie tight end Tyler Kroft has five receptions as well and looks like another keeper.
Even "butter hands" Greg Little has looked like a new man on the exhibition field. He led the team with 145 yards on nine receptions. Running back/wide receiver hybrid Cedric Peerman led the team with 10 catches.
Dalton will also likely have the benefit of a strong running game. Pro Football Focus rated the Bengals eighth overall in rushing offense for the preseason. Even relative unknowns like James Wilder Jr. (107 yards, two touchdowns) have looked good running in the Cincinnati offense.
If Dalton does stumble this year, the Bengals might not be in bad shape anyway. We also learned that backup quarterback A.J. McCarron (63.3 completion percentage, 92.7 passer rating) appears to have NFL-caliber talent.
Cleveland Browns
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The Cleveland Run Defense Is Still a Work in Progress
The Cleveland Browns were the NFL's worst defense against the run in 2014, which is why the team spent its first pick on mammoth 6'2", 339-pound nose tackle Danny Shelton.
Shelton has been a beast this preseason. He has been moving linemen, chasing down ball-carriers and making a presence in the middle of Cleveland's 3-4 front. However, Shelton isn't going to be enough to immediately change the Browns' fortunes against the run. It's going to take time.
The team has looked better than the worst in the league this preseason, but the defense has been gashed plenty. Cleveland has allowed an average of 111.5 rushing yards per game (22nd in the NFL). This is a problem, because if the Browns are going to win in 2015, they're going to have to do it on defense.
During the offseason, Ryan Wilson of CBSSports.com predicted the Browns defense could be enough to produce a playoff team this season. However, that just isn't going the happen if Cleveland cannot prevent opponents from running the ball and controlling the clock.
We also learned Cleveland is still devoid of offensive playmakers. The team finished the preseason ranked 29th in scoring (14.5 points per game) and last in total yardage (212.2 yards per game). The Browns are going to have to get other offenses off the field as quickly as possible to have a chance of putting up points in 2015.
Dallas Cowboys
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The Cowboys' Rushing Attack Can Be Serviceable
The Dallas Cowboys probably aren't going to replace the production they got out of DeMarco Murray in 2014 with the new tandem of Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle. However, that doesn't mean the team cannot field a running game that is good enough to win this year.
The Cowboys have looked pretty decent on the ground this preseason. McFadden has been especially impressive, albeit in limited action. He has averaged 5.9 yards per carry and has shown the type of vision and burst that made him a first-round draft pick many years ago.
Of course, the question with McFadden has always been about his health, not his raw talent.
As a team, the Cowboys have averaged 102.5 yards per game on the ground, 13th-most in the preseason. This certainly isn't outstanding, but it could indicate there will be enough ground production to complement Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and the aerial attack.
According to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently spoke with 105.3 The Fan about why a good-enough rushing attack can be, well, good enough:
"Even if we’re in that game, even if they’ve done a good job of taking it away from us a little bit, even if we’re having to throw more, the word is respect. If we can get defenses to compromise what they do their best to have to work on something that we can do because we have a running game, then we’ve accomplished something going into the game.
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Don't expect the Dallas running game to be something special in 2015, but don't expect it to be an embarrassment, either.
Now the Cowboys will just have to wait and see what Murray can accomplish with the Philadelphia Eagles to determine if passing on his $40 million deal was the right call.
Denver Broncos
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The Broncos Are Going to Be a Team That Can Win with Defense
Heading into the 2015 season, one might get the feeling that the Denver Broncos are a team that can only go as far as an aging Peyton Manning can take them. However, after watching the defense dominate through the preseason, this doesn't appear to be an accurate assumption.
The Broncos D has allowed an average of just 245.5 yards per game (third in the NFL) and has sacked opposing quarterbacks a whopping 20 times over four weeks (No. 1 in the league). Denver is currently rated first in overall defense by Pro Football Focus.
One thing that is really going to help the Broncos control games in 2015 is the emergence of rookie pass-rusher Shane Ray. He was touted as one of this year's top sack artists heading into the draft, but we are quickly learning that Ray might be one of the best overall rookies to take the field this season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Ray has accumulated three sacks, five additional pressures and 11 tackles in 142 defensive snaps.
We also learned the Broncos have enough talent in the backfield to boast a pretty threatening rushing attack. Ronnie Hillman (7.4 yards per carry) and C.J. Anderson (4.1 yards per carry) have looked like they can form quite the fearsome duo in 2015.
A strong running game and a smothering defense should help ensure that all of the pressure doesn't fall on Manning's shoulders.
Detroit Lions
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The Lions Can Have One Heck of a Backfield Committee
The Detroit Lions have had one of the league's most interesting rushing attacks this preseason.
Rookie Ameer Abdullah wowed people when he racked up 67 yards on just seven carries in the preseason opener. He cooled off after that but still finished with a preseason average of 6.8 yards per carry.
However, the real story of the preseason has been undrafted rookie Zach Zenner. The South Dakota State product led the NFL in preseason rushing with 183 yards on 35 carries. He also added two touchdowns.
Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com recently predicted that Zenner will make the final roster.
Zenner will likely join Abdullah, veteran Joique Bell and Theo Riddick in a backfield that could give opposing defenses fits. Pro Football Focus rated the Lions rated fifth overall in rushing offense for the preseason.
Bleacher Report's Jason Cole has reported that Abdullah is expected to be the Lions' primary ball-carrier with Riddick as the third-down back and Bell also playing a role.
It's hard to imagine Zenner being left out of the final equation.
If the Lions do manage to field a top-tier rushing attack in 2015, the team could immediately become a legitimate NFC contender. The passing should be strong as long as Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate are all healthy. The defense, despite losing Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in the offseason, should still be a team strength as well.
Green Bay Packers
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The Packers Have the Talent to Overcome the Loss of Jordy Nelson
Green Bay Packers star receiver Jordy Nelson suffered an unfortunate season-ending knee injury in the team's second preseason game. The Packers are going to be without a guy who caught 98 passes for 1,519 yards last season.
Yet, the loss of Nelson isn't going to hamstring Green Bay's playoff hopes. The Packers still have Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and Eddie Lacy. Jeff Janis (10 receptions for 149 yards and three scores) may have even done enough this preseason to finally move himself into a regular role.
The Packers finished the preseason ranked third in scoring offense (26.2 points per game) and first in passing offense (274.0 yards per game through the air). As long as Rodgers remains healthy, the offense is going to score points and win games in the regular season.
Of course, this doesn't mean that the loss of Nelson is going to be an easy one to take.
"It took the air out of the team. There's no doubt about it," Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said, via Alex Marvez of Fox Sports. "When something like that happens, guys are worried about him personally. It definitely affected the sideline to see it.
Adversity can often help bring a team team together, and the Packers have some adversity now because of an injury to a favorite teammate. What Green Bay doesn't have is a lack of talent on the offensive side of the football.
Houston Texans
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Houston Can Have a Functional Offense, Even Without Arian Foster
The Houston Texans will be without star running back Arian Foster for at least part of the season due to a groin injury. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Foster could be back by the end of September. However, this seems like a very optimistic outlook.
With Foster out and receiver Andre Johnson now a member of the Indianapolis Colts, there is reason to worry that the Texans offense won't be good enough to string together wins. After all, the Texans ranked a pedestrian 17th in total offense (344.6 yards per game) in 2014, when Foster was available for 13 weeks.
However, the Texans have looked OK on offense during the preseason. They haven't set the world on fire, but this appears to be a team that can put some points on the board.
Quarterback Brian Hoyer (61.5 completion percentage, 98.4 passer rating) has been solid, if unspectacular. Running back Alfred Blue (4.8 yards per carry) looks strong and quick enough to tote the football in Foster's absence.
Having a functional offense is important because the Texans field a defense that was good enough to propel the team to nine wins a season ago.
"Almost overlooked in the scrutiny of the offense has been a terrific performance by the defense that's difficult to judge because J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork, Johnathan Joseph and Jadeveon Clowney have been cheerleaders," John McClain of the Houston Chronicle recently wrote.
That defense ranked fifth in scoring (14.5 points per game allowed) in the preseason.
If the Texans can continue to have something at least consistent on offense, they can likely be a playoff contender.
Indianapolis Colts
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Andrew Luck Is Going to Have a Lot of Targets in 2015
We knew heading into the preseason the Indianapolis Colts were probably going to be stacked on offense this year. What we learned during the preseason is that these highly touted skill players are all capable of contributing.
Rookie Phillip Dorsett has averaged a solid 10.3 yards per reception. T.Y. Hilton has averaged nearly twice that (19.2). Recently acquired veteran Andre Johnson showed that he is still effective, catching a touchdown pass and averaging 16.3 yards per reception.
Second-year wideout Donte Moncrief is looking to improve as well. He averaged 15 yards per reception this preseason. Also, let's not forget about running back Frank Gore, who is a very capable pass-catcher.
Yes, star quarterback Andrew Luck is going to have plenty of options in 2015. That's great for fantasy football owners, but it might not be enough to help Indianapolis get over the playoff hump. We also learned that the Colts are still likely to be an average team defensively.
The Colts allowed an average of 20.5 points per game in the preseason, and Pro Football Focus rated them just 23rd overall in defense.
Jacksonville Jaguars
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Blake Bortles Looks Like a Revived Quarterback
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles struggled early and often as a rookie in 2014. He finished the year with a passer rating of jut 69.5, tossed 17 interceptions and suffered a total of 55 sacks.
What was more concerning was that Bortles never seemed to adjust to the speed and intricacies of the pro game.
Well, Bortles has appeared nothing like that wide-eyed rookie this preseason. In fact, he has been one of the sharper-looking passers on the exhibition field. The former Central Florida standout completed 65 percent of his passes and posted a quarterback rating of 93.8.
More importantly, he appeared much more calm and in command. In the team's Week 3 "dress rehearsal" against the Detroit Lions, he went 20-of-29 for 245 yards and a touchdown.
Bortles finished the preseason rated ninth overall among quarterbacks by Pro Football Focus.
Let's not forget that Bortles has worked almost exclusively without prized free-agent acquisition Julius Thomas, who suffered a hand injury in preseason Week 1.
"The Jaguars might still be a year away from having the kind of personnel around [Bortles] to make them a contender," Darin Gantt of ProFootballTalk.com recently wrote. "But they’re definitely making progress, and that’s something they haven’t enjoyed in Jacksonville in some time."
Don't be surprised if Bortles creates quite a few moments of enjoyment in Jacksonville this season.
Kansas City Chiefs
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The Chiefs Should Have an Improved Passing Attack This Season
No Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver caught a touchdown pass last season.
By now, you've probably heard this statement enough times to want to go vomit on your favorite Len Dawson jersey. However, the statement is an accurate indication of how nonthreatening the Kansas City passing game could be in 2014.
This is also a justifiable reason why the Chiefs went out and got Jeremy Maclin and drafted a pair of receivers during the offseason. Judging from the preseason, these moves appear likely to pay off.
According to Pro Football Focus, Kansas City had the league's fourth-best passing offense during the preseason. Starting quarterback Alex Smith averaged a game-manager-like 6.4 yards per pass attempt (his career average is 6.6), but the more important thing is that his new weapons found ways to produce.
Maclin finished the preseason second on the team with 11 receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Rookies Da'Ron Brown (seven catches for 67 yards) and Chris Conley (six receptions for 68 yards) also flashed some promising talent.
Each of the new additions managed to catch at least one touchdown pass.
"When Chris Conley caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Chase Daniel in the second quarter of the Chiefs’ preseason game against the Rams on Thursday, it was another reason to believe the Chiefs won’t go another season without a scoring reception from a wide receiver," Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star wrote after the preseason finale.
Smith and Co. aren't likely to topple any passing records in 2015, but there should be enough of a threat there to keep pressure off star tailback Jamaal Charles and the rest of the ground game.
*Update: According to Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com, receiver Da'Ron Brown was released as part of final roster cuts.
Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins Could Have Some Real Issues at Guard
Trouble in the interior of the offensive line is really nothing new to the Miami Dolphins. Heck, the team moved Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey over to guard for much of last season just to help create a stronger lineup.
However, we learned this is still an area of concern for the Dolphins. The team was unable to sign Evan Mathis (he inked a one-year, $3.25 million deal with Denver) and has tried a few different combinations with little success in the preseason.
Undrafted free agent Michael Liedtke was the only Miami guard to receive a positive grade from Pro Football Focus this preseason, and he was cut Friday. Veteran guard Dallas Thomas is expected to start at one guard spot, and Pro Football Focus rated him just 129th overall among all guards during the preseason.
According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, rookie fourth-round pick Jamil Douglas is likely to get the start at the other guard spot.
Having questions along the interior of the offensive line is an obvious issue because it this is an area can impact both the running and passing games.
Don't be surprised if the Dolphins go sniffing around the cut casualties from other teams prior to the start of the season. It would be a shame for Miami to have to pull Pouncey from his natural position for a second consecutive year.
Minnesota Vikings
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Teddy Bridgewater Is Poised for a Breakout Year
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had a strong rookie campaign in 2014, but he looked as good and as ready as any NFL quarterback this preseason. He finished his four exhibition appearances 29-of-35 for 295 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions.
At no point in the preseason did Bridgewater appear remotely uncomfortable in the offense. If he can carry his efficient production and his poise into the regular season, the Vikings could have something special on their hands.
"Through four preseason games, the Minnesota Vikings have probably seen just about everything they'd want to see from Bridgewater," Ben Goessling of ESPN.com recently wrote. "He's looked more assertive in the pocket and in better command of the offense."
Seeing improvement from Bridgewater is fantastic for the Vikings because the talent around him has also improved. The team brought in speedy deep threat Mike Wallace during the offseason and has star running back Adrian Peterson back from the exempt/commissioner's list.
Just imagine how much more efficient Bridgewater can be if opposing defenses are consistently worried about trying to slow down Peterson. At the same time, the presence of Bridgewater should help make for a more productive Peterson.
Bridgewater did everything you could ask of a rookie quarterback in 2014 except make the Pro Bowl and the playoffs. Don't be surprised if he does both in 2015.
New England Patriots
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The Patriots Could Be Set for a Serious Decline Defending the Pass
Defense was a team strength for the Patriots during their Super Bowl campaign of 2014. Though the unit rarely appeared dominant, it was good enough to limit opponents to just 19.6 points per game (eighth-best in the NFL).
The ability to defend the pass (just 217.3 yards per game in the postseason) was especially valuable down the stretch. However, the core of that pass defense is now gone. Cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner and Kyle Arrington all left during the offseason.
New England has seen some inspiring play from guys like Dax Swanson, Logan Ryan and journeyman Tarell Brown, but the back end of the defense has been an overall disappointment. The Patriots finished the preseason ranked 30th in pass defense (257.2 yards per game allowed).
Last year, Pro Football Focus rated the Patriots third overall in pass coverage.
It is likely going to take time for this new group to come together and play as a cohesive unit, just as it took time for the Patriots to become a real contender last season. The difference is that the top cornerback in the game isn't there to be a part of the equation.
The good news is that quarterback Tom Brady recently had his four-game suspension vacated (and hopefully we can stop talking about it, pending the NFL's appeal). This means there won't be pressure on the defense to support an inexperienced quarterback when the season opens Thursday.
New Orleans Saints
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Drew Brees Is Still Elite
We often marvel at the way Tom Brady and Peyton Manning continue to be among the league's best quarterbacks in the late stages of their careers. We don't often recognize that 36-year-old New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees is similarly age-defying.
We should.
Brees lost his top two targets—tight end Jimmy Graham and receiver Kenny Stills—during the offseason, which caused some to wonder if he would still be a top-tier passer in 2015.
Well, Brees has looked as good as he ever has this preseason and in some ways, better. He has completed 75 percent of his passes for 199 yards with two touchdowns and a passer rating of 156.0.
As a team, the Saints have averaged 272.8 passing yards per game in the preseason (second-most in the NFL). This suggests that the Saints' passing game is still going to flourish, even with Stills and Graham now playing for other teams.
It was probably always shaky to discuss Brees as a declining player in the offseason. Sure he had a down year by his standards (passer rating of 97.0) and he did toss 17 interceptions. However, it often felt like Brees' mistakes in 2014 were a result of his trying too hard to bail out a team with a terrible defense.
"I don’t think he’s in decline," NFL analyst Jon Gruden said of Brees, via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. "I think some of the decisions that he made, the interceptions, I think some of the decisions people are probably questioning but I have a lot of confidence that Drew Brees is gonna have another 4,000, 4,500, 4,700 yards passing. He's gonna probably throw 30 touchdowns again."
He was still rated second overall among all quarterbacks by Pro Football Focus for the 2014 season. If he isn't a top-10 passer once again in 2015, it would be surprising.
New York Giants
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The Giants Need to Get Jason Pierre-Paul Back on Defense
New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul hasn't been with the team since the beginning of the offseason. First he was absent because of a sticky contract situation, and then he was severely injured in a bizarre Fourth of July fireworks mishap.
According to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com, Pierre-Paul plans to return to the team next week and believes he can play effectively with his hand in its current condition.
If the Giants can get Pierre-Paul back into the lineup, they should. Though the team has a respectable 10 sacks this preseason (tied for 14th in the NFL), the quarterback hits haven't come easy. According to Pro Football Focus, the Giants were actually second-worst in the preseason at rushing the passer.
Two of the sacks came from reserve safety Cooper Taylor.
The health (or lack thereof) of the Giants safeties is one of the reasons why improving the pass rush should be an immediate concern. Second-round pick Landon Collins has missed time with injury and safeties Justin Currie, Bennett Jackson and Mykkele Thompson have all landed on injured reserve.
The Giants cannot afford to keep sending safeties in to bolster the pass rush and need to limit the time opposing quarterbacks have to find holes in their depleted secondary.
If New York determines that Pierre-Paul is in no condition to play, the team will need to start looking for pass-rushing help on the scrap pile. Grabbing some safety depth in the process probably wouldn't hurt, either.
New York Jets
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Chris Ivory Could Be Approaching a Breakout Campaign
Veteran running back Chris Ivory has been a solid but not special starter for the New York Jets over the past couple of years. He hasn't topped 833 yards in any one campaign and has just 17 career rushing touchdowns in five seasons.
However, Ivory could be looking at the best year of his career in 2015 for a couple of reasons.
For starters, the Jets finally appear to have a receiver tandem capable of threatening defenses downfield in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. The Jets also should have a top-tier passing defense now that Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie are back in the fold.
This means that opposing teams won't be able to load the box and dare New York to pass. Opponents should also have trouble pulling away on the scoreboard to the point the Jets have to go pass-wacky on offense.
It's clear Ivory is the best back to take advantage of the situation. He has averaged an impressive 5.8 yards per carry and finished the preseason ranked sixth overall among running backs at Pro Football Focus.
New York has been solid all around in the running game during the preseason (Pro Football Focus rates the team fourth overall in rushing offense).
Rich Cimini of ESPN.com recently predicted that Ivory will see about 20 touches per game. Right now, it appears the Jets have Ivory set up to make those 20 touches successful ones.
Oakland Raiders
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Khalil Mack Is a Bad, Bad Man
The Oakland Raiders had to be thrilled when Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack fell to them in the 2014 draft at No. 5 overall. Mack was fantastic as a rookie, racking up 76 tackles with three passes defended and 4.0 sacks.
Still, you got the feeling Mack was leaving something on the table. Sure, he had solid all-around numbers, but he didn't look quite like the same dominant pass-rusher he was at Buffalo.
At some point during the offseason, something must have clicked. Mack has been one of the best pass-rushers of the preseason and has looked like one of the top overall players on either side of the ball. Pro Football Focus has him rated No. 1 overall among all 3-4 outside linebackers for the preseason and credits him with two sacks, one quarterback hit and six additional pressures.
If you watched Mack tear apart the Cardinals in preseason Week 3, you'd probably swear that those numbers had been deflated.
Expect Mack to be a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate in 2015.
"I have played with some pretty good players," teammate and Super Bowl XLVIII MVP Malcolm Smith recently said of Mack, per Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. "And he is by far the most dominant that I have seen,” Smith said. “He has everything you want athletically, smart. If he doesn’t make all the plays, I know I will get plenty of opportunities.”
With Mack leading the charge, expect the Raiders to have plenty of chances to put opposing signal-callers on their behinds this season.
Philadelphia Eagles
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The Eagles May Have the League's Most Dangerous Offense
Chip Kelly's offensive system has looked very good for the Philadelphia Eagles for the past couple of years. However, this preseason, it has looked virtually unstoppable.
For the preseason, the Eagles are ranked first in scoring offense (33.2 points per game) and first in total offense (404.2 yards per game). The team has the league's reigning rushing leader in DeMarco Murray and a capable backup quarterback in Mark Sanchez.
What has stood out the most this preseason, however, is how good offseason acquisition Sam Bradford has looked under center for Philadelphia.
Bradford has completed 13 of 15 passing attempts for 156 yards with three touchdowns, zero interceptions and zero sacks. He was rated ninth overall among quarterbacks by Pro Football Focus for the preseason.
Kevin Patra of NFL.com recently explained why it appears Kelly finally has his ideal quarterback:
"Bradford's accuracy has been on point during his little time this preseason. His pinpoint ball placement has returned to the level he displayed while at Oklahoma, which caused NFL scouts to drool and the St. Louis Rams to make him the No. 1 overall pick. While Bradford hasn't uncorked the deep ball in limited snaps this preseason, his precision is a perfect meld with Chip Kelly's offense.
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The team has insurance for Bradford, who has had a torn ACL in each of the past two years, because the Eagles retained Sanchez during the offseason. This is smart long-term planning and makes the Eagles offense look even better.
Trying to shut down this group is going to be a tough task even for the best defenses in the league.
Pittsburgh Steelers
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Pittsburgh Is Likely to Struggle Against the Pass in 2015
The Pittsburgh Steelers are no longer the tough, physical defensive team of yesteryear. In fact, Pittsburgh now appears to be more of finesse team with a defense that is average at best.
The big concern, though, is that the Steelers have been absolutely atrocious at defending the pass this preseason. The numbers across the board have been ugly (ranked last in scoring defense, 29th in total defense), but a poor pass defense is the big concern because Pittsburgh plays in a division with two solid quarterbacks (and Josh McCown).
Pittsburgh also opens the season against Tom Brady on September 10.
"That’s not great news for a Steelers defense that’s been retooling on the fly and has gotten gashed in the preseason," Zac Jackson of ProFootballTalk.com recently wrote of Brady facing the Steelers.
According to Pro Football Focus, the only team worse in pass coverage this preseason has been the Saints.
We knew that there could be some struggles here because longtime secondary stalwarts Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor retired during the offseason. However, the Pittsburgh defense has been even worse than many expected.
Even second-year linebacker Ryan Shazier, one of the few Pittsburgh defenders to draw praise this preseason, has been awful against the pass. According to Pro Football Focus, Shazier has now been targeted 17 times and has allowed 17 completions for 143 yards and a touchdown.
San Diego Chargers
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Melvin Gordon Isn't Likely to Leap Into a Workhorse-Back Role
San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy stated before the preseason that the team was likely to utilize a committee approach in the backfield. Of course, with highly touted first-round pick Melvin Gordon on the roster, fans had some reason for skepticism.
After all, the Chargers ranked just 30th in rushing last season (85.4 yards per game). Are these guys really going to keep Gordon off the field?
The immediate answer appears to be yes—at least for much of the time.
Gordon didn't look like a truly explosive runner in the preseason and averaged a disappointing 2.3 yards per carry. Branden Oliver (3.5 yards per carry) and Danny Woodhead (3.1 yards per carry) weren't a whole lot more impressive, but both are more experienced and provide value in the passing game.
The 70-yard catch-and-run Oliver produced in the third preseason game shows why he is a such a commodity.
Woodhead is going to see playing time as well. He caught 76 passes when healthy two seasons ago and is an excellent red-zone option. According to Joseph Juan of Number Fire, Woodhead received 40 percent of San Diego's red-zone rushing attempts in 2013, when he was the backup to Ryan Mathews.
This doesn't mean that Gordon won't have his moments. It just means that he isn't likely to be a true every-down back as a rookie (sorry, fantasy owners).
"As coach has always said—I'm not saying anything out of the blue—it's a running back-by-committee crew," quarterback Philip Rivers said, via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. "It's going to be a team effort in that bunch. We're going to need all of them to carry the load in the run game and to catch the ball out of the backfield."
San Francisco 49ers
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The 49ers Might Be on to Something with Rugby League Poaching
We learned this preseason that the San Francisco 49ers might just have enough talent in the backfield to make up for the departure of Frank Gore. Carlos Hyde (5.6 yards per carry) and rookie Mike Davis (4.3 yards per carry) have both been solid, and we know Reggie Bush can provide an extra dimension in the passing game.
So what? Everyone knows the real story of the 49ers' preseason has been former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne.
Hayne has made his transition to NFL running relatively easy—in the preseason, at least. He has racked up 175 yards on just 25 carries and has caught three passes for another 35 yards. According to Pro Football Focus, a whopping 121 of his rushing yards have come after contact.
However, Hayne has shown much more than just athleticism and toughness on the exhibition field. He has also shown good vision, solid hands and an ability to block defenders. Pro Football Focus gives him a positive grade in both receiving and blocking. More than 100 NFL backs received a lower grade in each category.
That physicality, though, is fun to watch. You can check out an example of it here, via the NFL.
It certainly looks like Hayne has what it takes to be a successful NFL running back, which is likely to prompt a lot more teams to start expanding their horizons when it comes to the scouting process.
Seattle Seahawks
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Seattle May Have Gotten One of the Biggest Steals of the 2015 Draft
The Seattle Seahawks didn't need to get better this offseason. If not for the most ill-advised play call in postseason history, we'd likely be talking about back-to-back Super Bowl champions and wondering if the Seahawks even could keep improving.
Well, it's starting to look like the Seahawks are going to be a much better and much more explosive team in 2015, thanks to third-round rookie receiver Tyler Lockett.
Lockett has been sensational this preseason. He finished it off with a remarkable 63-yard touchdown reception in the finale.
"It was the cherry on top of a breakout month which started with 204 return yards in the preseason opener and included a 67-yard touchdown on a punt return last week," Chris Wesseling of NFL.com wrote of Lockett's score after the game.
Lockett has racked up two return touchdowns this preseason to go with his long touchdown grab. He has averaged 21.5 yards per reception, 26.3 yards per punt return and 37.4 yards per kickoff return. At times, it doesn't look like anyone on the field can catch him.
The fact that the defending NFC champions managed to snag Lockett at the top of the third round (No. 69 overall) almost seems a little unbelievable after watching him on the exhibition field. It doesn't seem quite fair.
Receiver-needy teams like the Panthers and Browns have to be kicking themselves at this point for passing on Lockett, right?
The Seattle defense has made a habit of forcing punts in recent years. Lockett has made that reality a much more frightening one.
St. Louis Rams
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Nick Foles Is Going to Be a Work in Progress
This offseason, the St. Louis Rams traded away quarterback Sam Bradford to acquire former Eagles signal-caller Nick Foles. It appears that Philadelphia is the winner of the trade—at least in the short term.
"Before seeing Sam Bradford play this summer, I'd call the trade for Foles a push," Marc Sessler of NFL.com recently wrote. "Bradford's resurgence, though, raises larger questions about the organization's ability to develop quarterbacks and skill players."
Foles has shown glimpses of promise in the preseason. He has completed 69.2 percent of his passes and has averaged a respectable 10.2 yards per passing attempt. However, he has also shown some inconsistencies and has tossed two interceptions.
Foles is rated 47th overall among quarterbacks by Pro Football Focus for the preseason.
Of course, this isn't quite the quarterback-friendly offense Foles experienced under Chip Kelly with the Eagles. There will be some growing pains as Foles continues to absorb Frank Cignetti's system.
It's important for Rams fans to understand that Foles probably isn't going to be an immediate superstar in St. Louis. However, it is also important to recognize that he can likely be better than anyone the team put under center last season when Bradford was out with an ACL tear.
One of the problems for Foles is a lack of weapons for the passing game. One other thing we learned is that relatively unheralded receiver Chris Givens is likely to be the team's top playmaker.
"Some wondered whether Givens would make the roster entering his fourth season," Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com wrote in late August. "But he's been the team's most dynamic offensive threat in the preseason games."
Givens finished the preseason with 206 receiving yards, two touchdowns and an impressive 22.9 yards-per-reception average.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Jameis Winston Is Likely to Have a Trying Rookie Campaign
We've learned a couple of things about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this preseason, and they are both likely to make life rough on rookie quarterback Jameis Winston.
The first thing we learned is that the Buccaneers don't have a reliable running option after Doug Martin. Mike James has been the next-most productive back, and he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry in the preseason.
As long as Martin gets most of the work, this might not be a terribly huge issue. But it is worth noting that Pro Football Focus rates the Buccaneers as the fifth-worst team in run blocking. This is an issue because a strong rushing attack can seriously aid a young, inexperienced quarterback.
The other issue we discovered is the Buccaneers offensive line is not good in protection, either. This is something we could have predicted, considering rookies Ali Marpet and Donovan Smith are both expected to start.
However, the Tampa line has been hard to watch and has allowed Winston to be brutalized by opposing defenders. According Pro Football Focus, Winston has been sacked seven times in 59 dropbacks.
This means that Winston has been sacked an average of once every 8.4 pass plays. Blake Bortles, who was sacked a league-high 55 times in 2014, was only sacked once every 10 pass plays.
None of this means Winston cannot succeed as a rookie. He seems to have the poise, command and confidence to deserve ample time to get comfortable. However, the Buccaneers' play isn't going to make it easy for him.
Tennessee Titans
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Marcus Mariota Deserves to Start from Day 1
The Tennessee Titans used the second overall pick on quarterback Marcus Mariota, but there was never a guarantee that he would be an opening-day starter because of his draft status. Second-year quarterback Zach Mettenberger has flashed talent, and journeyman Charlie Whitehurst can provide a mentor role.
However, it is clear after a month of exhibition action that Mariota is indeed ready to try his hand at being a starter.
Mariota has steadily improved through the preseason, and his overall resume is extremely encouraging. The former Oregon star finished the preseason 21-of-30 for 326 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
This doesn't necessarily suggest that Mariota is going to be an instant success in the NFL. He probably won't be. He's going to have his rookie ups and downs just like Winston in Tampa.
What we've learned is that Mariota has showed enough in the preseason that it makes sense to hand him the keys rather then let him learn from the sideline.
"Mariota has surprised me with how good his footwork looks, for someone who barely spent any time under center at Oregon," NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah recently wrote. "I've also been extremely impressed with his poise—he just looks very comfortable out there, which is something that's not easy for a young guy to do."
We've also learned Mettenberger (24-of-39 for 312 yards with three touchdowns and a pick) has shown enough that the Titans can feel good about having him as a fallback option or as possible trade bait.
Washington Redskins
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Robert Griffin Is Likely on His Way out in Washington
This is probably the biggest no-brainer of the entire preseason, but it needs to be mentioned. Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III just doesn't look like he will again be a successful signal-caller with this franchise.
Griffin was mostly ineffective in preseason action and continues to show an inability to adjust to defensive pressure and avoid unnecessary physical contact. This, of course, led to a concussion against the Detroit Lions in the second week of the preseason and opened the door for another quarterback to take his job.
Washington head coach Jay Gruden recently announced Kirk Cousins would be the team's starter moving forward.
"When it's all said and done, after all the film we've gone through, after all the offseason activity, all the training camp footage, we feel like at this time, Kirk Cousins gives us the best chance to win and that's where we're going," Gruden said, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "It's Kirk's team."
The decision to go with Cousins goes beyond Griffin's concussion. Another thing we learned is that Cousins and backup Colt McCoy both look better in Gruden's offense than Griffin.
Both McCoy (115.8) and Cousins (103.9) have shining passer ratings and have completed more than 70 percent of their attempts this preseason. Griffin (46.2 completion percentage, 54.6 passer rating) looks terrible by comparison.
Pro Football Focus ranks Griffin 95th overall among quarterbacks for the preseason.
Griffin may be able to revive his career, but it likely won't happen in Washington. His $16.15 million salary for 2016 is fully guaranteed for injury. Getting injured in practice is a possibility even if Griffin is a second- or third-string quarterback. Expect Washington to try moving him.
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