The NFL preseason kicks off for real on Thursday night with a pair of games. The Giants are at the Patriots, and the Titans are at the Ravens.
It's the beginning of the Brian Daboll era in New York, taking on a familiar foe in New England. And all eyes will be on Baltimore and "the streak" that defies explanation. The Ravens have won 20 consecutive preseason games, and no one knows exactly how or why it's happened.
But what else of interest should we watch for this weekend and the two other weekends of preseason football to come?
The 49ers have announced that Trey Lance will see action in both the first preseason against the Packers and the third preseason game against the Texans.
Aaron Rodgers hasn't taken a snap in the preseason since 2018, and he says that the idea of suiting up to play a series or two is completely worthless. So don't expect to see him against the 49ers on Friday or in any of the Packers games this August. And if there is one quarterback who doesn't need any work, it's the two-time MVP.
The Bills haven't announced how MVP favorite Josh Allen will be used this preseason, but last year he sat out each of the first two games and then played significant minutes in Week 3, throwing 26 passes in that game.
Tom Brady played in two of the three games last season, but he only attempted 16 passes between the two starts. Patrick Mahomes, because this is the way Andy Reid has always done it, will see extended playing time, with the majority coming in the second preseason game.
It was a deep draft of talent, especially at wide receiver, and that gives us a number of really good receivers to watch this preseason.
The Falcons have a freak at tight end in Kyle Pitts, and now they have a potential freak in Drake London from USC. He's huge with great hands, and watching how Arthur Smith uses London in Atlanta with Marcus Mariota as the new quarterback will make for interesting viewing.
The Packers' top pick at wide receiver, Christian Watson, has been injured, which has allowed fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs to shine. According to Aaron Rodgers, "Every single day there's been at least one 'wow' play, and that's rare for a young guy."
It won't be Rodgers throwing the ball in the preseason, but if Doubs is making that many wow plays in camp, he is definitely one to watch in Green Bay's three upcoming games.
All signs point to the Titans keeping Malik Willis as a developmental quarterback, and we aren't likely to see him at all in the regular season. But he's got worlds of talent, and the team likes the growth they've seen, and we will see him running second team's reps in the preseason. For a glimpse into 2023 and beyond, Willis is one to watch.
It's clear that Baker Mayfield has the inside track on the starting quarterback spot with the Panthers. But since head coach Matt Rhule says he won't make an official decision until after Carolina's second preseason game against the Patriots, it's conceivable that Sam Darnold could play well enough to make the choice a tough one.
After a decade of always knowing who would be his starting quarterback, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll enters August with uncertainty at the position. He says that Geno Smith is on top of the depth chart because he knows the offense.
But Carroll has made a preseason change at starting quarterback before. In 2012 Seattle went into camp with free agent signing Matt Flynn as the starting quarterback, and Russell Wilson was third on the depth chart. But in the first preseason game that year, Wilson threw a 39-yard touchdown and ran for a 32-yard touchdown, and there was no looking back after that.
So maybe Drew Lock can play himself into a starter. He will have the chance.
In Pittsburgh, it could be any of their three quarterbacks that emerge as the regular season starter. The team would love to see Kenny Pickett play his way into the job, but right now, he is third behind Mitchell Trubisky, the designated starter, and Mason Rudolph, who begins his fourth season as a Steelers backup.
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Tanner Kern breaks down the biggest news from the NFL world, discusses fantasy football stategy, and gives his future bets for the 2022 season on the debut of the CHFF Show.