NFL Preseason Week 4: What to Watch for in Thursday's Action

One week. Seven days. That's all that's left of the NFL preseason.

Before we hit Week 1 of the 2015 season, though, there is some business to attend to. What would the preseason be without its denouement? 

A week after the dress rehearsal and the first big cutdown, fringe players will be trying to make the roster, and depth charts will need settling. Let's take a look at some things to watch for in the final act of the 2015 preseason.

Can the 49ers Offense Score a Touchdown?

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Most unbiased observers knew this season was going to be a rough ride for the San Francisco 49ers. The team lost 11 starters and a head coach that turned the franchise around on a dime, after all. 

But this bad?

San Francisco's starting offense has failed to notch a single touchdown this preseason, and that is a nice way of putting things. Some leeway is deserved given the roster churning and new offensive system, sure, but it has been bad enough for San Francisco to possibly trot quarterback Colin Kaepernick out there for a fourth week of preseason action when most of the teams are holding starters out.

For his part, Kaepernick realizes this is a process, as he said after a loss to the Denver Broncos last week, according to the team website.

"We have things to work on, but that’s what the preseason is for, to make sure we work out the things we need to before we get to the regular season," Kaepernick said. "There’s not any concern on this team. … We’re seeing who we have at different positions."

Perhaps none of the starters will see the field after all, which could lend some credence to the confidence Kaepernick and Co. have in the offense despite the horrific results thus far. But bet on at least some of the starters seeing some action to try to work out more kinks before Week 1.

Who Will Be Tyrod Taylor's Backup?

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The Buffalo Bills are chock-full of surprises.

An offseason filled with big trades, emotional cuts and Tyrod D. Taylor winning the starting job deserves a toast. Has the Rex Ryan circus made its way north?

Perhaps, but that's not why we are here. This is about preseason Week 4 football, in which case the Bills have some more decisions to make.

One of those will be which quarterbacks to keep behind their newly minted starter. Will embattled EJ Manuel make the team just two years removed from being the first quarterback taken in the 2013 draft? Or will he become the latest victim of the new coaching regime?

Manuel has done his part, at least during games. He looked great against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week—though even Tim Tebow could have shredded that defense through the air the way it was playing—making a late push to make the team.

Cutting Matt Cassel would be far cheaper than doing so to Manuel, who is still developing. But head coach Rex Ryan may want to move on from a failed former starter.

Somewhere, Matt Simms is in the mix, likely destined to be the third-string quarterback if Buffalo can't find anything better off the cut heap in the coming weeks.

Should He Stay or Should He Go?

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Tim Tebow Superstar has one shot left to make the Philadelphia Eagles, a feat made more difficult by the presence of three other quarterbacks on the roster. That is, unless Philadelphia converts him to fullback.

True, Tebow has flashed his ever-present rushing ability, but he has had mixed results thus far in the preseason. Matt Barkley, meanwhile, hasn't exactly impressed thus far, either.

The question is whether head coach Chip Kelly wants to keep a passing-challenged quarterback around for the occasional two-point try or a third-year quarterback he drafted in the fourth round. 

Patrick Wall of Bleeding Green Nation pointed out the pros and cons of keeping Tebow in the fold:

"

Tebow does possess good athleticism and above average speed for his position. But as the third quarterback, he would not be asked to serve as the running back - if he's in the game, the Eagles will have the horses to run the ball. Does Tebow have the ability to lead his team and win a meaningful game? Part of his legend is that he's answered questions like this one with a resounding "yes," but the bigger question here has more to do with whether that scenario is worth a roster spot at all.

"

Martin Frank of USA Today recently reported Kelly's thoughts on Tebow.

"I’ve seen Tim improve since he got here," Kelly said. "I’ve seen him improve his throwing motion … I think he’s really worked very hard at that, sequencing his throwing motion. I think he’s been a lot more accurate with his passes. He’s had a good camp."

He's right, Tebow has improved his accuracy—he's up to 52.6 percent this preseason! Barkley hasn't been much better at 53.5 percent, though.

In all seriousness, Kelly is one of the few head coaches who can truly maximize Tebow's potential. But Tebow will need to prove he belongs when he gets some extended burn in Philadelphia's final preseason game of the year.

Can Tevin Coleman Win the Starting Job?

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The word on the street is that Devonta Freeman is going to get a big workload this season. At least if you believe what the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter said on Sirius XM radio this week.

The Falcons beat writer predicted Atlanta's second-year running back could see a whopping 80-20 split in carries with rookie Tevin Coleman this season. Ledbetter knows his team, so there isn't much reason to doubt that.

Unless Coleman forces a change.

Both backs have been injured this preseason, with Coleman getting minimal work in Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins in his first action. According to Ledbetter, Freeman is expected to miss the final tuneup before the season, though, giving the coaches ample opportunity to see what Coleman can do.

Granted, there may not be much he can do in such a meaningless game, but a great outing could start to tip the balance in his favor. If Freeman's injury keeps him out any longer, Coleman could wrest that starting gig away starting this week.

Zach Zenner's Zenith?

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All aboard the Zach Zenner hype train. It's pulling away from the station!

We see this every year. Some obscure player lights it up during the preseason, and suddenly he is going to be a vital part of the offense. Zenner is the latest in a long line of preseason heroes. He has averaged an eye-popping 6.5 yards per carry and rated among the best backs of the preseason, according to Pro Football Focus.

He could certainly make an impact for the Lions this season. But he's going to have to make the team first.

The undrafted rookie gets one more crack at unseating running back George Winn for a roster spot behind starter Joique Bell—who has inconveniently returned from injury—fellow rookie Ameer Abdullah and pass-catching specialist Theo Riddick.

Winn was recently described as the "most physical guy on the team" by quarterback Matthew Stafford, according to Paula Pasche of the Morning Sun. That doesn't mean a ton, but Zenner's torrid preseason performance may not save him if he falters in the final act.