NFL Preseason Week 4: Latest Buzz Ahead of the Final Matchups

Many unknowns can still be found in the lineups for just about every NFL team in Week 4 of the NFL preseason. Because of that, many starting spots and next-in-line reserves for the start of the 2015 season are still potentially up for grabs.

The Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins recently named their Week 1 starters and will most likely use Thursday night as a way to prepare their quarterbacks for next week. The Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons are still undecided at the running back position and potential starters can use Week 4 to separate from the pack.

Jimmy Garoppolo could be readying himself for a Week 1 start with the New England Patriots, while the Philadelphia Eagles are still deciding on their third-string quarterback.

The storylines are there, though many fans seem to view the final week (or day) of the preseason as a sort of opening act to the main event. It's nice to see some up-and-coming stars, but much like at a concert or a comedy show, it's not usually what the paying customers came to see.

Most of the NFL superstars will spend Thursday night relaxing on the sidelines or playing for only a handful of minutes. But for many players, this is the final time to show their respective teams that they belong on the 53-man roster. Thursday night still allows us one final preview before Week 1, and serves as an appetizer of sorts for the start of college football come this weekend.

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

Take for example the quarterback situation with the Buffalo Bills. The Bills announced on Twitter Monday that Tyrod Taylor will be the Week 1 starter. Taylor had spend four years as Joe Flacco's backup quarterback, but he has been outperforming Matt Cassel to this point. 

And, as Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News reported today, Cassel might not be around much longer.

"

Expectation of multiple #NFL personnel people is the #Bills will cut Matt Cassel & keep EJ Manuel, who has strong support from Doug Whaley.

— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) September 2, 2015"

EJ Manuel has looked better than Cassel this preseason, but it will be interesting to see what develops in Buffalo in the next couple of weeks. If anything, the light will be shining a little brighter under center on Thursday when the Bills play at the Detroit Lions at 7:30 p.m. ET.

David Goldman/Associated Press

Another viewing point on Thursday will be in Atlanta, specifically in the backfield.

The Falcons have drafted two running backs in consecutive years in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, but neither have been able to show much to this point.

Both missed the first two preseason games with injuries, and Coleman was the only one to play in Week 3, accounting for just two yards on four carries. Freeman isn't expected to play in Thursday's game against the Baltimore Ravens either, but he hasn't been ruled out just yet.

If Freeman does sit, Coleman will have a great opportunity to prove his worth and could end up as the No. 1 running back in Week 1.

Sanford Myers/Associated Press

More running back competition can be found with the Tennessee Titans. 

NFL sophomore Bishop Sankey will enter the 2015 campaign trying to redeem himself after a disappointing rookie season, but it's already not looking good.

Rookie David Cobb has been competitive for the Titans so far, running for 79 yards on 19 carries in the first two games. Sankey, on the other hand, has rushed for 15, 45 and 17 yards in three games and benefited from a 19-yard run in Week 2 to help his numbers.

Problem is, Cobb missed Week 3 with a calf injury and remains in a walking boot, which means we probably won't see him suit up on Thursday.

Sankey will now have a great chance to separate himself from the pack and be the guy Marcus Mariota will hand off to in Week 1. Or, could the Titans possibly go after Fred Jackson?

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Other quick hits:

The Washington Redskins will also take a closer look at Kirk Cousins, whom Jay Gruden recently named as the Week 1 starter in a press conference, as reported by NFL.com's Kevin Patra.

Tim Tebow has one more week to impress the Philadelphia Eagles while trying to make the 53-man roster. He'll likely split time with Matt Barkley against the New York Jets as both quarterbacks battle for the No. 3 spot.

Will we have a ruling on Deflategate this week? As ESPN.com recently reported, the NFL and the NFLPA have requested that U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Berman make a decision by Friday. Berman has suggested that both sides should come to an agreement over the past several weeks, but it looks like that won't happen. With the Patriots set to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on opening night, it would be nice to know their starter sooner rather than later.