NFL Preseason Week 1: Takeaways from Saturday's Action

The NFL preseason is in full swing now, as every team will have logged at least one game after the Sunday night contest between the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles wraps up. The excitement from fans is palpable with the return of football. Players hungry to earn a roster spot have already started to make waves on the field.

It’s easy to get caught up in watching preseason games and overreact to what is happening. We get very limited looks at each team, and it creates a powerful lasting image in our minds—until the next game, of course.

Some of what we see may not carry over to the regular season. But that does not mean everything is worthless information we should throw aside. 

We’ll take a look at each of the three games from Saturday, along with the top takeaways from those contests. The focus is clearly on the first- and second-team units, since those are the players most likely to make an impact during the regular season.

Jameis Winston’s Debut Was Unspectacular

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Jameis Winston, 2015's first overall pick, did not have a debut worth remembering.

In fact, most of his play was dreadful. Luckily for Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who lost to Minnesota, 26-16, it’s just preseason, and this is the time to make mistakes.

Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith said after the game, per ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas, "He threw some good balls at the end. Pretty good decisions. We'd like to have that one interception back, but I thought he threw some pretty good balls. That's what you judge your quarterback on, decision-making. For the most part, I think it was pretty good."

Nevertheless, the mistakes Winston made were familiar ones. He often sailed passes high over the middle at Florida State, and he paid the price for doing just that multiple times Saturday. Winston threw one interception and missed the chance to complete several other passes due to his inaccuracy. Overall, he finished 9-of-19 for 131 yards and a rushing touchdown.

It seemed clear that Winston was nervous or too excited early on. He looked better as he played the Vikings backups near halftime. It will take time for the fledgling quarterback to adjust to the NFL, but it is apparent that his penchant for throwing risky passes must change.

Teddy Bridgewater Is in Midseason Form Already

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Coming off an electric rookie season, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is looking to continue his development in 2015. If Saturday was any indication of what is to come, then the rest of the NFC North must watch out. Bridgewater is yet another stud in the division at the position.

Bridgewater hit several impressive throws in his three drives on the field. His poise and accuracy helped spur two first-quarter scores. His final stat line on the night was a solid one: 7-of-8, 86 yards and no interceptions.

He accomplished that without the help of running back Adrian Peterson. Once the team inserts Peterson in the lineup, Bridgewater’s job should get easier. And that will make him even more dangerous as a playmaking quarterback. 

The Vikings Offensive Line Suffered a Major Blow

Jim Mone/Associated Press

On the flip side for the Vikings, the offense likely lost its best blocker for the season. Right tackle Phil Loadholt tore his Achilles in the first quarter, ending his campaign before it began. This is a major blow for this unit.

The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted the news: 

"

#Vikings OT Phil Loadholt suffered a torn Achilles, source said. After he’d worked his way back from last year. Brutal.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 16, 2015"

The Vikings will now turn to rookie T.J. Clemmings at right tackle. Clemmings fell to the fourth round in the NFL draft due to a foot injury, and his bad Senior Bowl performance didn’t help. But his play Saturday was encouraging, as he held his own against Tampa Bay.

Clemmings should get a ton of snaps the rest of the preseason to help his development. If he can hold the position down and be even a somewhat average player, then the Vikings playoff hopes will still be going strong.

The 49ers Defense Looked Unprepared

Bob Levey/Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers had several projected starters sit out their first game, so it’s far from panic time in the bay. Once impact players like NaVorro Bowman and Aaron Lynch suit up, the results could drastically change for the defense.

But in the 23-10 loss, this was not a unit that looked interested or talented.

Their opponent, the Houston Texans, has one of the least-talented offenses in the NFL. Yet quarterback Brian Hoyer was able to connect with receiver Cecil Shorts on an easy 58-yard touchdown. Shorts is fast, but the 49ers defense looked extraordinarily slow in coverage as the wideout pulled away from everyone.

Houston running back Alfred Blue also had a big night. His 6.6-yard-per-carry average is something the 49ers must be concerned with. Hopefully this unit looks more empowered in the coming weeks.

San Francisco’s Offense Still Lacks Bite

Associated Press

Colin Kaepernick didn't show much Saturday.

Things weren’t much better for the 49ers first-team offense. Despite overhauling the personnel group and coaching staff during the offseason, the team got more of the same results. Even though preseason numbers aren’t everything, it wasn’t pretty as San Francisco tried to move the ball downfield.

It all starts with quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The 27-year-old attempted just three passes, and two were nowhere near accurate. He ended the night with 14 passing yards.

There weren’t any positives outside of running back Jarryd Hayne. Hayne, the former rugby player, exploded for a 53-yard run that showed he has the talent to stick in the NFL. The rest of the 49ers backs had pedestrian performances.

This wasn't the start San Francisco was looking for. Moving on from offensive coordinator Greg Roman's offense was supposed to be a positive, but so far nothing's changed.

Ryan Mallett Was Sharp as a Backup

Associated Press

Ryan Mallett is making things interesting for Houston.

The Houston Texans nabbed a victory against the 49ers, but that’s not what matters now.

More important is the production Houston gets out of the quarterback position this year. In Week 1, Ryan Mallett performed well as the second-string quarterback.

Starter Brian Hoyer played just one drive, which seems to indicate he'll keep the job moving forward. If the Texans are open to a real competition, then they must admit that Mallett is having a good run at the spot. He went 10-of-11 for 90 yards Saturday night.

The upside to playing Mallett is that he offers a developmental ceiling that Hoyer does not. We’ve seen Hoyer’s major limitations in his previous stops before Houston, but Mallett hasn’t had the same opportunity. We’ll see if he’s given a chance in coming weeks.

The Cardinals Playmakers Were on Point

Associated Press

Carson Palmer had the Cardinals rolling during his brief stint Saturday.

The Arizona Cardinals only played their starters for one series, but that was all they needed to showcase their playmakers. The key to their season, more than anything, is staying healthy. Quarterback Carson Palmer, running back Andre Ellington and safety Tyrann Mathieu all made impact plays in limited time during a 34-19 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Palmer went 4-of-4 in his one drive, showing poise, accuracy and comfort in the pocket. The Cardinals are a much more dangerous team with him in the game. His backfield partner, Ellington, also showed why he’s a key starter on his 57-yard reception.

Mathieu came up with a big interception in the first half. The Cardinals will rely on clutch turnovers to drive their defense, and the Honey Badger is one of the best playmakers in the NFL. It’s good to see him get an early start terrorizing offenses.

Kansas City’s Offense Has a Long Way to Go

Associated Press

Alex Smith and the Chiefs are hoping for better results in 2015.

The hope for the Kansas City Chiefs was that adding wide receiver Jeremy Maclin would help their passing offense not be so anemic. Of course, this would require the offensive line to progress as if it was a Madden offseason.

But if Saturday was an indicator of things to come, then the Chiefs’ passing woes are far from over.

Quarterback Alex Smith attempted 10 passes, completing six for a woeful 42 yards. His lack of aggression continues to haunt the Chiefs offense, limiting it to dump-off passes and curl routes. Even once Jamaal Charles is playing, opponents won't be afraid of what Smith is capable of.

Kansas City will have to get creative to overcome Smith’s limitations. Its receiver corps is talented enough to make impact plays, but whether Smith will utilize his options remains to be seen. Saturday's results were not promising.

All stats used are from sports-reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

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