NFL Preseason Week 2: What to Watch for in Thursday's Action

The NFL preseason's second week takes a different shape compared to the opening slate of contests. 

Starters will now be asked to go deeper into games. Organizations are already dealing with numerous injuries, and their rotations have already been affected. Plus, some of those aspiring professionals located among the teams' lower rungs won't receive as much of an opportunity to impress coaches.

As such, opportunities become very precious, and numerous players on every roster will attempt to capitalize on them when presented with the chance to do so.

Of course, the projected starting lineups' performances start becoming far more important as teams prepare for the NFL's unofficial "dress rehearsal," which occurs during the preseason's third week.

For most teams, starters should play well into the second quarter and potentially until halftime instead of simply one or two series as seen in Week 1.

Each team will now be looking for growth and overall improvement from those players expected to contribute this season. For example, did the team's first-round draft pick look better this week than last?

It's all about the roster's continued evolution based on the expectations placed upon each player.  

Thursday's slate of games is relatively light, but a handful of dominant storylines should emerge during the two scheduled contests. 

Detroit Lions vs. Washington Redskins 

7:30 p.m. ET at FedEx Field

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Lions

During the Detroit Lions' opening preseason contest against the New York Jets, this year's second-round pick, running back Ameer Abdullah, provided a spark that had onlookers giddy about his overall potential in the offense. 

Last year, the Lions finished 28th overall in rushing offense. Abdullah appears to be the answer to the team's previous woes. One particular run, courtesy of Rotoworld's Adam Levitan, broke defenders' ankles and left many jaws on the floor: 

Abdullah experienced his first taste of professional action, excelled when called upon and finished the contest with 67 yards on only seven carries. It prompted Jets head coach Todd Bowles to invoke a very flattering comparison. 

"He's about as quick as Barry Sanders," Bowles said after the game, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. "Not saying he is Barry Sanders, but he's got that quickness."

Abdullah wasn't as enamored with his play, though. In fact, the rookie running back described himself as being "rusty" in a journal entry, courtesy of DetroitLions.com: 

"

I think my first preseason game went OK, borderline good, but by no means great. I missed a lot of holes. I was a little rusty, but that's what I expected getting back into game shape, seeing things at game speed again. There was definitely a lot to learn from. I have a good idea of how the competition will be across the league, what to expect on Sundays and Mondays.

"

The coaching staff appeared to agree with Abdullah's assessment when it released its second preseason depth chart. The team listed the Nebraska product behind Theo Riddick as its No. 1 running back. 

How the coaches handle the running back rotation throughout the rest of preseason should be interesting. 

Abdullah displayed amazing quickness and an uncanny ability to change direction. But will he be held back a bit during the process to work on the nuances of the position he felt needed improvement? 

Riddick and Joique Bell, when healthy, are capable running backs with the ability to contribute within the offense. There is absolutely no reason to rush Abdullah into the starting lineup. 

The rookie's performance during the second preseason contest could force the situation, though.

Redskins

Quarterback Robert Griffin III created quite a stir this week when he assessed his level of play after the Washington Redskins' first preseason contest against the Cleveland Browns. 

In an interview with Alex Parker of ABC 7 WJLA, Griffin didn't lack confidence: 

"

I feel like I'm the best quarterback in the league, and I have to go out and show that. Any athlete at any level, if they concede to someone else, they're not a top competitor, they're not trying to be the best that they can be.

There's guys in this league that have done way more than me. But I still view myself as the best because that's what I work toward every single day.

"

Nothing Griffin said was wrong. A professional athlete needs to have the utmost confidence in his ability. But his self-perception doesn't meet reality at this point. He'll need to strive toward becoming better each and every time he's on the field. 

One particular area of interest is avoiding unnecessary hits, which he didn't do against the Browns. USA Today's Michael Schwartz provided an example:

Paul Kruger's glancing blow as Griffin threw across his body while running to his left wasn't the only instance of the quarterback taking a hit during the contest. 

While in the red zone, the Browns called a zone blitz to the left side of the Redskins offense. A defender wasn't blocked. Griffin stood tall in the pocket and tried to deliver a fade into the corner of the end zone. Instead, the quarterback took a big hit, and the pass attempt fell incomplete. 

ESPN's Louis Riddick identified a key area where the quarterback can improve throughout the preseason: 

Right now, Griffin's only goal during the preseason shouldn't deal with becoming the NFL's best at his position. It's about the little things that will make him better. His goals should revolve around becoming more consistent reading defenses, working through his progressions quicker and getting rid of the football in a timely manner and accurately. 

The Lions will be a good test for RGIII after sacking the Jets quarterbacks twice last week and adding six more pressures. Plus, the Detroit defense finished in the league's top half against the pass last season. 

Griffin's continued maturation as a legitimate NFL quarterback remains the primary story in Washington. 

Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns

8 p.m. ET at FirstEnergy Stadium

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

Bills

Let the Tyrod Taylor era begin.

After the quarterback's impressive outing against the Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan moved him to the top of the quarterback depth chart. The fifth-year signal-caller isn't settled into his spot, though. 

The Bills' contest against the Browns could determine whether Taylor's reign will be short-lived or provide hope for the organization's future.  

General manager Doug Whaley liked what he saw from Taylor during the first preseason contest and feels the young quarterback has the necessary tools to succeed in the league, per the Buffalo News' Tyler Dunne: 

"

It's a production-based business. He produced with the twos so we're excited for him to get in there Thursday with the ones to see what he can do. Everybody knows what he can do with his feet. But I'm impressed with a couple of his throws.

He's got everything you’re looking for. We just have to make sure he can produce when his time's called.

"

In order to solidify himself as the team's starter, the Virginia Tech product must show an ability to beat an opponent from the pocket as well as threaten opponents with his running ability. 

Against the Panthers, Taylor completed five of his eight pass attempts for 49 yards. The quarterback also added 47 rushing yards. 

"Obviously the running quarterback—especially a shorter one—you're going to try to keep him as much in the pocket as possible and make him beat you with his arm," Whaley said. "So that's what I'm sure Cleveland is going to do Thursday. If he produces, hey, it's up to him."

The starting quarterback position is right there for the taking. Veteran Matt Cassel seems incapable of gaining an edge over the competition despite an experience advantage. Former first-round pick EJ Manuel doesn't even seem to be in the picture at this point. 

With a good outing Thursday, it will be Taylor's job to lose. 

Browns

Injuries ravaged Browns training camp to date. 

Some of the team's top stories—such as Terrelle Pryor's attempt to earn a roster spot as a wide receiver, Justin Gilbert's continued struggles and the overall growth of Cleveland's talented defense—have all been stunted due to injury issues. 

Even the quarterback situation remains low key because of head coach Mike Pettine's continued insistence that Josh McCown is the team's starting quarterback. 

One area to watch very closely, though, is the Browns' run-game production. Pettine's squad is expected to feature a run-heavy offense this fall, with veteran Josh McCown behind center and an overall lack of talent at the skill positions. 

When running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery was asked early last week which of his two young running backs, Isaiah Crowell or Terrance West, was in the lead to claim a starting spot, neither proved to be the correct answer. 

"Nobody wants the role," Montgomery said, per ESPN.com's Pat McManamon.

David Richard/Associated Press

As rookies last season, Crowell and West combined to rush for 1,280 yards. Plenty of potential exists between the two, but it's about approaching every day in a professional manner. 

"You'd like to think that the guys that participated, who were here last year, you would like for them to have more of a lead role in that aspect of it," Montgomery said. "Is it going to happen? I don't know, and that's why I let them know every day, the competition is still the same. It hasn't changed."

Montgomery also said it bothered him that no one stepped up and claimed the lead-back role, and it became a "total setback" when his players didn't show up to training camp in top shape. 

How did the team's top running backs respond to the criticism? Not well. The duo ran the ball eight times for 16 yards against the Redskins. 

The blame doesn't fall completely on their backs, but their performances must be better during the second preseason contest against one of the game's best defensive fronts. The Bills finished 11th against the run a year ago and feature top talents in Marcell Dareus, Mario Williams and Kyle Williams. 

Thursday's contest should be a good litmus test for the Browns' second-year runners to prove they can carry the load this season. Otherwise, this year's third-round pick, Duke Johnson, is waiting in the wings and capable of a becoming a big part of the offense once he's fully healthy. 

Brent Sobleski covers the NFL and NFL draft for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @brentsobleski.