5 Things We Learned from Thursday's NFL Preseason Action

The second week of the 2012 NFL preseason is underway, and while there were only a pair of games on Thursday evening, there was still much to be seen, as three of the four teams featured advanced to the postseason last year.

Whether it's an offense opening up, uncertainty around one of the NFL's most prolific ones or the second game of a rookie signal-caller's career, here's a look at what we learned.

1. The Atlanta Falcons Have Taken the Training Wheels off

If the first two preseason games are any indication, then the days of the Atlanta Falcons running a conservative, ball-control offense may be long gone.

For the second straight week, the Falcons came out and pressed the action vertically, and for the second straight week, quarterback Matt Ryan was very effective, completing 18-of-21 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown.

With talented wideouts such as Roddy White and Julio Jones and a Hall of Fame tight end, it makes sense for the Falcons to open things up, especially given the heavy workload of running back Michael Turner over the past several seasons.

Even so, it's still a bit surprising to see things change this drastically this quickly, although we have yet to see whether the transition will carry over to the regular season.

2. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green Are Picking Up Right Where They Left off

The Cincinnati Bengals were propelled into the postseason last year in large part due to the play of rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and fellow newcomer A.J. Green who developed an instant rapport and connected on over 1,000 yards worth of passes and seven scoring strikes.

Very little seems to have changed in that regard as Dalton found Green in the second quarter for a 50-yard touchdown bomb against the Atlanta Falcons.

Dalton to Green...touchdown! It's a phrase you're likely going to hear quite a bit this year.

3. Brandon Weeden Looked MUCH Better

The Cleveland Browns have already named rookie Brandon Weeden their starting quarterback, but after Weeden struggled mightily in Cleveland's preseason opener, the team may have been privately reconsidering that decision.

However, Weeden was considerably more effective in his second exhibition start, completing 12-of-20 passes for 118 yards in the Browns' win over the Green Bay Packers.

Sure, it wasn't a world-beating performance, but as Weeden told Sporting News, the 28-year-old feels like Thursday night performance was a step in the right direction.

"

I think so, Weeden said. You've got to keep in mind last week was my first-ever start in the NFL and it's just like a true freshman going into college and it's an even bigger jump coming up here. I didn't get down on myself about the way things went last week and I just want to go out and get better and I did that.

"

4. The Green Bay Running Game Is a Huge Question Mark

We already knew that there were questions surrounding the Green Bay Packers rushing attack, as the team recently signed veteran free agent Cedric Benson...on purpose.

However, with starter James Starks out with turf toe and Benson not yet ready for game action, the Packers' questions in the backfield were just amplified in the loss to Cleveland.

The Packers gained a measly 69 yards on the ground against a Cleveland defense that was gashed by the run with regularity last year, and while the preseason is no time to panic, the Packers definitely don't want Thursday's leading rusher repeating that feat many times during the regular season.

That was quarterback Aaron Rodgers, gaining 24 yards on the ground.

5. Packers Fans Had Better Hope Aaron Rodgers Doesn't Stub His Toe

After watching backup quarterback Matt Flynn light up the Detroit Lions in last year's regular season finale and then depart in free agency, the Green Bay Packers were hopeful that youngster Graham Harrell could step up and into Flynn's role.

On second thought...

Harrell has been absolutely atrocious in the preseason to this point, and after completing only half his passes against the Browns, including a pair of interceptions and an intentional grounding call in the end zone, the Packers are probably wondering if Harrell can hold a clipboard without screwing up.