NFL Preseason 2015: Analyzing Biggest Storylines Heading into Week 3

Week 3 is when the NFL preseason stops being polite and starts getting real. The first round of cuts, which will bring rosters to a maximum of 75 players, will start taking place almost immediately after games end.

That will mean the end of the line for quite a few high-profile players—some expected, some not.

Will Tim Tebow be among the first roster cuts in Philadelphia? Perhaps a veteran running back struggling in camp will be sent packing, furthering the position's fungible reputation. Even the likes of Montee Ball, viewed as a foundational piece in Denver just a year ago, might wind up on the edge of Denver's roster as he falls down the depth chart.

Those major cuts probably won't happen until the mass exodus of talent a week from now, but a microscope will be placed on every mistake. With starters typically receiving their most extensive action in the third week, guys on the roster edge won't even be given as many opportunities to make their impact felt.

Truth be told: It's a nerve-wracking time in the lives of hundreds of young men looking to live out their dream. With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the biggest storylines as we head into Week 3 action.

Date	Time (ET)	Team	Team	National TV
Friday, Aug. 28	7:30 p.m.	Patriots	Panthers	-
Friday, Aug. 28	8 p.m.	Titans	Chiefs	-
Friday, Aug. 28	8 p.m.	Lions	Jaguars	CBS
Saturday, Aug. 29	4 p.m.	Steelers	Bills	NFL Network
Saturday, Aug. 29	7 p.m.	Jets	Giants	-
Saturday, Aug. 29	7 p.m.	Falcons	Dolphins	-
Saturday, Aug. 29	7 p.m.	Vikings	Cowboys	-
Saturday, Aug. 29	7 p.m.	Browns	Buccaneers	-
Saturday, Aug. 29	7:30 p.m.	Redskins	Ravens	-
Saturday, Aug. 29	7:30 p.m.	Bears	Bengals	-
Saturday, Aug. 29	8 p.m.	Eagles	Packers	-
Saturday, Aug. 29	8 p.m.	Colts	Rams	-
Saturday, Aug. 29	8 p.m.	Seahawks	Chargers	CBS
Saturday, Aug. 29	9 p.m.	49ers	Broncos	-
Sunday, Aug. 30	4 p.m.	Texans	Saints	FOX
Sunday, Aug. 30	8 p.m.	Cardinals	Raiders	NBC

Our Weekly Tim Tebow Talky Time

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Whether we want him to be or not, Tebow is probably the biggest storyline of the preseason. The Eagles signal-caller has drawn more coverage than any potential third-string quarterback in league history, his every pass dissected as if the rotation on his spirals contain the meaning of life.

Through two games, it's been a mixed bag—to put it nicely. After opening by completing five of his first six passes, Tebow has gone 3-of-11 since. He has not completed a pass of longer than 18 yards, taken three sacks and looks generally similar to the player who left the NFL two years ago.

According to NJ.com, Tebow said:

"

That’s not something I worry about, to be honest. I worry about what I can control and that’s come out and improve every day, enjoy the process, count your blessings and work extremely hard. You know, something I always try to practice is be anxious for nothing, but let your request be known to God. That’s how I try to handle that.

"

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Tebow is competing with Matt Barkley for the third quarterback spot behind Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez. Barkley regressed in Week 2 following a sterling debut and has thrown for 278 yards without a touchdown and an interception overall.

Whether Barkley or Tebow winds up winning the job is immaterial. Unless Bradford and Sanchez go down with significant injuries, neither will see the field much (if at all). Tebow's ability to come in on short-yardage situations as a running option is intriguing, but activating a third quarterback is something teams are often hesitant to do for roster space concerns.

Chip Kelly is nothing if not an innovative thinker, so anything is possible. But we're at the point where this is likely much ado about a player without the necessary skills to contribute at the NFL level.

The Bills Still Don't Have a Starting QB

Every other quarterback battle has been solved. Brian Hoyer will be under center for the Texans. Johnny Manziel hasn't done enough to unseat Josh McCown in Cleveland. A punch to the jaw sent Geno Smith to the bench and gave the Jets starting job to Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Still up in the air, though, is Buffalo's future at the position. EJ Manuel will get the start for Rex Ryan in Week 3, marking the third straight game a different player has been under center with the first unit. Matt Cassel got the start Week 1, while Tyrod Taylor was the starter last week.

"I thought he earned his shot," Ryan said, per Sal Maiorana of the Democrat & Chronicle. "I love the competitiveness in him. We'll see how it goes."

Manuel has performed the best of the three statistically. The former first-round pick has completed 13 of 22 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Taylor has been consistently solid and appears to be the favorite overall, thanks to his added dimension on the ground, including a 41-yard outing against Cleveland last week. Cassel has the most experience of the three but has also seen the least on-field work, attempting only eight passes.

Suffice it to say, opinions are strong about the ongoing waffling.

"This is a disaster," wrote Conor Orr of NFL.com. "The third preseason game is a time for clubs to start introducing a regular practice schedule and to start prepping for actual opponents. If the Bills have yet to truly make up their minds, Ryan will be no better off than he was with a Geno Smith/Mark Sanchez competition, or a Smith/Michael Vick competition."

If the Bills are a playoff team this year—and the rest of their roster is certainly good enough to make that leap—they need to figure out the quarterback situation. It's time to stop waffling and roll the dice on one of these guys.

Teams Move On in Wake of Injuries

Pretty much everyone involved with the NFL agrees the preseason is too long. There has been public talk of shortening the preseason for years without action, to the point that some teams have responded by keeping their high-profile players off the field as much as possible.

Criticism of the four-week slate typically reaches an apex around now, as the injuries to notable players start popping up. Packers receiver Jordy Nelson, Panthers wideout Kelvin Benjamin, Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick and Washington linebacker Junior Galette have each gone down over the past week or so.

Nelson is one of the half-dozen best receivers in football. Benjamin is a burgeoning second-year star who likely would have contended for a Pro Bowl berth. Scandrick is a veteran whose absence leaves a gaping hole in Dallas' secondary. Gallette, a controversial addition after being released by New Orleans, will now bring headlines without production.

"The past week has been an especially harrowing one in the NFL's season-long war of attrition," wrote Chris Wesseling of NFL.com.

Now, it's time for each team affected to find a replacement. Davante Adams is already soaring up fantasy draft boards after ascending on Green Bay's depth chart in wake of Nelson's injury. In his second year out of Fresno State, Adams made 38 receptions for 446 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie. Another rookie, Ty Montgomery, should get an opportunity to step into Adams' spot as the third receiver. 

Benjamin's loss may be the biggest of the offseason given how little Carolina has to replace him. The Panthers receiving corps, which will be spearheaded by second-round pick Devin Funchess, now looks like perhaps the worst in the NFL.

"There is no need to sulk about it," Cam Newton told Steve Reed of The Associated Press. "There is no need to cry about it now. When I went to see him, and I still talk to him daily, he's in good spirits. Every time I text him, every time I call him, he's always, 'Go out there and do your thing. Lead them boys.' When I hear that from him, that kind of puts it in perspective."

Washington and Dallas will equally struggle to find answers. What looked like a formidable pass rush for Washington will now once again be left up to Ryan Kerrigan by himself. Dallas, meanwhile, was 22nd in pass defense DVOA last season, per Football Outsiders. Replacing Scandrick will now be the job of rookie Byron Jones, the team's first-round selection.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.