Winners and Losers from NFL Preseason Week 1

When it comes to the NFL preseason, winners and losers aren't really defined by the numbers on the scoreboard.

Final scores in exhibition games have no bearing on the regular season, but the performances of the teams and players involved can. Individual jobs are often won or lost in the preseason. Team decision-makers will generally come away from preseason games either comfortable or discontented with their respective rosters, schemes and units.

Did Jameis Winston shine in his NFL debut? Will the Baltimore Ravens need time to adapt to offensive coordinator Marc Trestman? These are the types of preseason questions whose answers help determine which players and teams are moving up and which are headed down. 

Today, we're going to take a look at the biggest winners and losers of the first week of the 2015 preseason. 

Winner: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Lions

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The entire Detroit Lions offense was fairly impressive against the New York Jets on Thursday night. However, rookie running back Ameer Abdullah may have been the biggest winner of the bunch.

Abdullah gashed the Jets defense for 67 yards on just seven carries, and he flashed his strength, agility and quickness throughout his time on the field.

"He looked like he did in college," Jets head coach Todd Bowles said of Abdullah, per Dom Cosentino of NJ.com. "He's quick as a cat. He's about as quick as Barry Sanders—I'm not saying he is Barry, but he's a good running back."

On the Lions' first depth chart of the preseason, Abdullah found himself behind versatile back Theo Riddick. Veteran Joique Bell, who has been sidelined during training camp, is also expected to be in front of Abdullah when the regular season kicks off. 

If Abdullah keeps performing like he did in his NFL debut, however, it might be difficult for Detroit to keep him off the field.

"He was very impressive, especially for his first game," Bell said of his fellow running back, per Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. "Looked like he's been out there before."

Loser: Jets Defense

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

This offseason, the Jets brought in defensive-minded head coach Todd Bowles and cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Buster Skrine and Antonio Cromartie and used the sixth overall draft selection on defensive lineman Leonard Williams.

The plan in New York is obviously to win with defense, and it seems like the Jets have the right pieces in place. It just might take a little time for everything to mesh.

"On paper, the Jets have the best defense in the AFC East..." James Walker of ESPN.com wrote last month. "But it's not always easy implementing a new scheme. There will be a learning curve under Bowles."

This learning curve was on full display against the Lions on Thursday. 

Detroit quarterbacks passed for 235 yards, and the Lions racked up 428 yards of total offense against a defense that often appeared out of position and out of sorts.

After the game, Brian Costello of the New York Post explained why there is cause for concern:

"

The first preseason game of the season should not cause panic, but new Jets coach Todd Bowles has to be a little bothered with how his starting defense looked in Thursday’s 23-3 loss to the Lions. The Jets' first unit missed five tackles, gave up 143 yards, 10 points and did not look ready to play in its two series of action.

"

The good news is that the Jets have another three games before the regular season to get things nailed down. Still, it is clear that there is much work to do. 

Winner: Ravens Offense

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Marc Trestman and his often pass-wacky offense didn't work out with the Chicago Bears. Will Trestman really fit with the physical and often run-oriented Baltimore Ravens?

At first blush, the answer appears to be yes. 

The Ravens were both productive and efficient against the New Orleans Saints defense on Thursday night. Quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Matt Schaub each led a touchdown drive in the first quarter, and the team racked up 360 yards of total offense.

For fans worried that Trestman might want to move away from physical running, Thursday's 105 rushing yards and 39 rushing attempts were a welcome sight. Last season, the Ravens ran the ball an average of 28 times per game.

Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com recently explained the importance of the ground game to Baltimore's offensive identity:

"

Since they hired [head coach John] Harbaugh in 2008, the Ravens have recorded 3,321 rushing attempts—more than every NFL team except the New York Jets. That number diminished a bit recently as Flacco developed into a more reliable passer, but there is no question the Ravens' offense has been built around a mashing offensive line and a featured tailback—first Ray Rice, and now Justin Forsett—in a way that Trestman never experienced with the Bears.

"

Trestman made it known when he was first hired that he didn't plan to make sweeping changes to the offense.

"It's never going to be my offense. It's always going to be the Ravens offense," Trestman said, via the team's official website. "I think the framework and the formula for this is for me to go in and learn the offense. ... Why would I have 40-some guys learn a new offense when I'm just one person?"

If Thursday's performance is an accurate portrayal of what's to come, Trestman is keeping to his word. Right now, it appears that he and the Ravens are a solid match and that the pairing is going to produce a potent offense in 2015.

Loser: Browns Run Defense

David Richard/Associated Press

Forget about those uniforms. The real ugly sight for Cleveland Browns fans on Thursday night was the team's putrid run defense.

Last season, the Browns ranked last in run defense (141.6 yards allowed per game) and were rated 21st in run defense by Pro Football Focus.

Cleveland spent draft picks on defensive linemen Danny Shelton and Xavier Cooper and signed free-agent defensive tackle Randy Starks to improve its unit against the run.

Against the Washington Redskins, however, the Browns run defense appeared even worse than we remember. Cleveland defenders were out of position frequently, and their tackling was sloppy and ineffective. Washington averaged 4.1 yards per carry and rumbled for 153 yards over the course of the game.

In fact, rookie Shelton was one of the only things to like about Cleveland's run defense against Washington.

"In the first half, Washington rushed for 94 yards—a 5.5 average," Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer wrote after the game. "Rookie linebacker Nate Orchard and veteran Scott Solomon both were tricked into over-pursuit and allowed sizable runs. Other than Shelton and Jamie Meder (who played mostly in the second half), it didn't seem like the line did much versus the run."

The Browns had one of the league's better pass defenses in 2014—the team was ranked first in coverage by Pro Football Focus—and could have a good unit overall this season if they can tighten up against the run.

The first week of the preseason proved that the Cleveland run defense still has a long way to go.

Winner: Bengals Rushing Attack

Frank Victores/Associated Press

In 2014, the Cincinnati Bengals finished the season ranked sixth in rushing offense with an average of 134.2 yards per game.

If Friday's game against the New York Giants was any indication, the Bengals backfield will be even deeper and more dangerous in 2015.

Cincinnati racked up an impressive 225 yards with an average of 5.4 yards per rush. Seven different players posted at least one run of 10 yards or more, and the team's run blocking appeared dominant throughout the night.

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com wrote it was "arguably the fastest and crispest a Marvin Lewis team has ever come out for a preseason opener."

Running backs Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard have shown they can be NFL game-changers. The surprise on Friday came from depth players like James Wilder Jr. (53 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries) and Terrell Watson (seven carries for 52 yards).

It may be tough for both first-year backs to make the Bengals roster, but their performances should land them other opportunities if they don't.

Wilder and Watson got their chances Friday because Rex Burkhead and Cedric Peerman left the game with injuries. However, Jay Morrison of the Springfield News-Sun reported that both Burkhead and Peerman are expected on the field at practice Monday. 

Loser: Giants Starting Offense

Frank Victores/Associated Press

The Cincinnati Bengals manhandled the first-team offense of the New York Giants on Friday as starting quarterback Eli Manning appeared out of rhythm during his time on the field.

Manning was in the game for four series—two of them against backups—and delivered virtually nothing to feel good about. He finished the game 4-of-8 for 22 yards and led the offense to only one first down and zero points.

"I didn't like the way we started the game offensively—it was no tempo, no rhythm," Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. "That didn't start us off very well."

To be fair, the Giants offense was disappointing as a whole against Cincinnati, producing just 224 yards. However, the fact that the first-team unit couldn't move the ball against the Bengals' second-team defense should cause some concern.

Overall, it was a disappointing first act for an offense that many believe will be improved this season.

Zach Braziller of the New York Post wrote about the unit's potential back in December:

"

Imagine what it will look like with a healthy Victor Cruz on one side, Odell Beckham Jr. on the other and Rueben Randle in the slot; Andre Williams and Rashad Jennings forming a dynamic thunder and lightning duo out of the backfield; and Eli Manning orchestrating it all in his second year running offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's system.

"

New York ranked 10th in total offense last season with an average of 367.2 yards per game. But if Manning and Co. keep performing like they did Friday, the Giants could be looking at a decline instead of an improvement. 

Winner: Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

It may take some time for Seattle Seahawks rookie receiver Tyler Lockett to learn the nuances of being an NFL pass-catcher. However, the former Kansas State star showed Friday why he could still be an impact player in his first pro season.

In his NFL debut against the Denver Broncos, Lockett returned four kickoffs for 186 yards (an average of 46.5 yards per return). He also returned one punt for 18 yards.

The highlight of his night was an electrifying 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. 

Really, the big winners here are the Seahawks, who may have one of the league's most dangerous special teams weapons in 2015.

Doug Farrar of SI.com explained why:

"

Percy Harvin never turned out to be the dynamic threat he was supposed to be outside of one return in Super Bowl XLIII, and punt returner Bryan Walters redefined the soft bias of low expectations—local announcers expressed happiness that Walters at least held on to the ball on fair catches.

Now, things look very different for Seattle's return units, and the rookie is the reason. 

"

The only way Lockett could have had a more impressive pro debut is if he had gotten into the end zone on offense. Given his ability to find open space on the field, Lockett may be doing that soon as well. 

Loser: Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota received plenty of media attention for his ability to protect the football during training camp.

"I'm just trying to take care of the football, and I'm not worried about it at all," Mariota said of his interception-free practices, per David Climer of the Tennessean.

Taking care of the football proved to be a problem for Mariota against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, however. He threw an interception and fumbled on his first two possessions. The fumble was returned for a touchdown.

"You lose games because of turnovers, and I was upset with myself because both of those I could control," Mariota said after the game, per Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.

Virtually all of his mistakes came when pressured, and it appeared Mariota was surprised by how quickly the game moved in his NFL debut.

John Glennon of the Tennessean described the turnovers as "part of an ugly start for the...Heisman Trophy winner."

Naturally, Mariota's ball security in camp shouldn't have been a big deal to begin with. However, there isn't a whole lot to talk about during the offseason, so rookie quarterbacks are going to remain headline material.

The real story here is that Mariota might not be ready to overtake Zach Mettenberger (who finished 8-of-11 for 129 yards with a touchdown and a pick Friday) on the depth chart.

Loser: Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and No. 1 overall draft pick Jameis Winston also saw his first real NFL action this weekend. The results left quite a bit to be desired.

Winston played the entire first half Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings and finished 9-of-19 for 131 yards with an interception. 

There were some positives to be found in Winston's performance. He flashed his arm strength and accuracy on more than one throw. He also rushed for a touchdown. However, he seemed to struggle with seeing the field and controlling his passes.

"He gifted an interception to Vikings backup safety Antone Exum Jr. Several other incompletions were off-target. There were two mishandled snaps, one of them leading to a sack," Tom Pelissero of USA Today wrote after the game. "The interception was one of several balls that sailed on him as the Bucs fell into a 23-3 hole."

Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports wrote that Winston's NFL debut was "mostly forgettable" and described the quarterback as "overwhelmed."

Of course, there is still time for Winston to settle down and perform up to expectations—this was his first preseason game, after all. He is going to have to find more consistency, however, if he is going to take hold of the starting job and run with it as a rookie. 

Winners: Mariota and Winston

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston got off to rough starts in their respective NFL debuts, but both quarterbacks came away as winners by shaking off their struggles.

Mariota turned the ball over on his first two series, but he led an impressive 80-yard touchdown drive on his third possession. He was 5-of-5 on the drive and finished the game a respectable 7-of-8 for 94 yards.

"It was nice to see Marcus bounce back the way he did," Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt said, per Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today.

Winston also led a touchdown drive before leaving the field. He completed five of six attempts on the Buccaneers' second-to-last possession of the first half and rushed for an eight-yard touchdown to finish it. 

"Like Marcus Mariota's debut on Friday night with the Tennessee Titans," Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports wrote after the game, "there was enough from Winston's debut to see why he was the top pick in the draft, but there also were enough struggles to wonder how his rookie season will play out."

It's important to remember Mariota and Winston are rookie quarterbacks who are getting their first taste of real NFL action. We should commend their ability to shake off mistakes and rebound with poise.

If Mariota and Winston can learn from their mistakes and keep improving, they should each have an opportunity to become a starter and see their share of winning during the regular season.