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Up to date 2m in the past
Week 2 of the 2025 NFL preseason continues with the Bills battling the Bears in Chicago tonight after the Saints rallied to tie the Jaguars in New Orleans.
Each Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough confirmed flashes of potential beneath heart because the Saints' quarterback battle continued. However Rattler might have separated himself late by main a 9-play, 82-yard landing drive within the sport's last three minutes with the Saints trailing by eight. He then scrambled into the top zone for a profitable two-point conversion to finally pressure a 17-17 tie.
Later tonight, all eyes can be on Caleb Williams because the No. 1 choose within the 2024 NFL Draft sees his first sport motion within the Bears' revamped offensive system beneath new head coach Ben Johnson.
Originally of coaching camp, the Payments adopted via with cross-training fifth-round rookie Jordan Hancock at nickel and security, doubtless hoping to make him one other versatile defensive again they will gown for sport day with confidence. Nevertheless, for the reason that Payments have been coping with accidents to Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp, Hancock has majored at security for many of the observe week. That included their first preseason sport, during which Hancock performed solely at security. Within the sport, he confirmed precisely why a few of his pure abilities and instincts lend themselves to pondering his final finest place would possibly wind up being within the deep center because the free security.
Hancock’s read-and-anticipate abilities routinely put him in a superb place in opposition to the Giants. Whether or not it was taking away a throwing window or charging down with confidence to make a deal with, Hancock’s debut was spectacular. Later within the sport, Giants quarterback Jameis Winston airmailed a throw, and though it was a gimme of a catch for Hancock, he put himself in the precise place to make a play. The turnover was in the end nullified resulting from an offsides penalty on rookie defensive finish Landon Jackson, however Hancock’s potential to make the play when given the possibility was famous. Hancock nonetheless has numerous room to develop, however there are indicators of a superb participant right here. Of the group’s Day 3 (Rounds 4 to 7) choices in 2025, he has been probably the most spectacular of the bunch. If he develops accurately, there might even be some down-the-line beginning potential at free security, however he’s received an extended street earlier than that enters the dialog.
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Again-to-back punts weren’t what anybody on the Bears’ sideline wished to see Sunday, however then Tyson Bagent received going, main a 9:33 landing drive — the Bears haven’t had a drive that lengthy within the common season since Week 1 of 2021.
“The one un-fun half was the beginning we had,” Bagent stated.
The second quarter was extra fruitful for Bagent. He completed 13-of-19 for 103 yards with a fourth-down landing move to Maurice Alexander, who high-pointed the ball at the back of the top zone and received each ft down.
Case Keenum took over after halftime and threw two landing passes, together with a fairly anticipation throw that dropped into the arms of undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker.
“I actually belief Jahdae within the brief time I’ve gotten to know him,” Keenum stated. “I assumed he performed very well right this moment. He received a terrific launch off the road, and I’ve simply gotta give him an opportunity.”
Keenum, getting into his twelfth NFL season, was impressed with how Bagent managed a shaky begin to the sport.
“I actually favored how he responded to not the beginning that we wished, whether or not it was a excessive move right here or getting backed up or safety subject, no matter it was, there are numerous issues that go on in a soccer sport,” Keenum stated. “… He responded. He stayed the course. He wasn’t freaking out. He simply stayed the course, and that was actually good.”
It’s solely preseason, in fact, and the QBs’ success got here in opposition to backups, however Bagent and Keenum’s performances nonetheless needed to make Johnson really feel relaxed concerning the guys behind starter Caleb Williams.
For the Payments to make progress on protection, they’re relying on two longtime beginning gamers within the NFL to push them ahead: defensive finish Joey Bosa and cornerback Tre’Davious White. They introduced Bosa to Buffalo to start out reverse Greg Rousseau and increase their move rush within the playoffs. They introduced in White, not realizing if he’d be their starter, however resulting from rookie Maxwell Hairston’s multi-week knee harm, it actually looks as if he’ll start the common season as a starter. Each gamers obtained two defensive collection of their 2025 Payments debut, however Bosa had the way more profitable day.
Bosa put collectively some good rushes off the sting and supplied stability as a run defender, whether or not it was in edge include or crashing all the way down to the center and trying to deal with the runner from behind. Though Bosa isn’t the prototypical pace rusher off the sting, his energy will present a high-quality baseline to assist the general assault. The larger query is about his sturdiness, and it gave the impression to be a optimistic signal that Bosa took 13 of the group’s first 17 snaps — penalties included.
White performed each snap of the primary two collection, but it surely was a little bit of a miss. The Giants focused him on beneath throws, with receivers getting separation. After a catch was made in entrance of White, the cornerback had some problem bringing down the ball provider to attenuate the acquire. Tackling has by no means been White’s robust go well with, but it surely was much less of a problem earlier in his profession when his protection abilities had been at their finest. It’s just one sport, and White has had a powerful coaching camp. It’s one thing to observe over the subsequent few weeks forward of the common season to see if it turns into a pattern.
A day after Andy Dalton injured his throwing elbow in opposition to the Texans, the Panthers agreed to phrases with ex-Rams QB and reigning UFL MVP Bryce Perkins, a league supply tells The Athletic.
The top of the primary half supplied Ben Johnson with a chance to get some expertise managing the clock. With 1:57 left, Johnson used his first timeout on protection following a Dolphins first down. Miami scored on the following play, giving backup quarterback Tyson Bagent and the offense 1:40 to play with.
Bagent’s two-minute drill lasted seven performs and ended with an interception. Usually, the offense wouldn’t get the ball again, however the Dolphins ended up going four-and-out whereas utilizing solely 21 seconds. The Bears received the ball again at their very own 48-yard line with simply six seconds left on the clock.
In case you’re questioning how a lot might be completed in six seconds, that’s how a lot time was on the clock when QB Jayden Daniels received the Washington Commanders 13 yards nearer to the top zone earlier than his Week 8 Hail Mary.
Bagent threw it to rookie receiver Luther Burden beneath, and the rookie received out of bounds with one second left, sufficient time for Cairo Santos to drill a 57-yard subject aim.
Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler accomplished 18 of 24 passes for 199 yards and one landing with one interception for a 95.7 ranking.
Rattler led the important thing drive that finally tied the sport, a nine-play, 82-yard drive ending with a 20-yard landing move to Dante Pettis. Rattler additionally ran within the two-point conversion to tie the sport.
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OK, so that will not have been the prettiest NFL contest you'll ever see, even by preseason requirements. No less than we received an thrilling end! Let's see what you needed to say:
John W: Saints document this yr 2-15.
Jeff B: It’s not a lock that Shough would be the starter.
Be at liberty to move over to the "Talk about" tab on the high of your webpage or app, or ship us an e mail at live@theathletic.com together with your ideas!
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In a Saints quarterback competitors that wanted some life right this moment, Spencer Rattler supplied it. He bounced again from an interception and capped that final scoring drive off with a 20-yard landing move to Dante Pettis.
What was a morbid day for the Saints offense truly ends on a good be aware.
Will it make a distinction on this battle with Tyler Shough? That continues to be to be seen. However the Saints wanted to place one thing optimistic on tape.
This fall 0:00 – Jaguars 17, Saints 17
What a wild finish to the sport! Seth Henigan, who was beneath heart for Jacksonville, throws a pricey interception to Jonas Sanker, the Saints' 2025 third-round draft choose.
Sanker runs again 39 yards out of bounds, ending the sport in a tie. New Orleans outscores Jacksonville 14-0 within the second half to tie the sport at 17 apiece.
This fall 0:21 – Jaguars 17, Saints 17
Oh my goodness! What a drive for Spencer Rattler, who overcame a few penalties on offense. He finds Dante Pettis for the 20-yard completion to get the landing.
On the two-point conversion, Rattler scrambles out to his proper, working into the top zone to tie the sport at 17.
What a comeback for the Saints. Can Jacksonville discover a technique to win?
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This fall 0:59 – Jaguars 17, Saints 9
Large alternative for Spencer Rattler right here. With beneath a minute to go, the Saints QB has an opportunity to guide his group down the sphere and rating.
New Orleans is down eight, needing a landing and a two-point conversion to tie.
Spencer Rattler was 11-of-16 on the day for 123 yards however the interception he simply threw leaves a sting. Tyler Shough completed earlier right this moment, finishing 9-of-12 passes for 66 yards. The Chris Olave drop would've made the quarterback's line a lot better.
Each quarterbacks have flashed, however not sufficient to succeed in the top zone to date, as New Orleans solely has three subject targets on the board. That is one QB battle that can go all the way down to the top of the preseason. Both method, Saints followers haven't been too happy on the choices.
May both Shough or Rattler shock? It's attainable. However there hasn't been a lot progress right this moment in opposition to the Jaguars.
This fall 4:42 – Jaguars 17, Saints 9
If the Jaguars maintain on to win this sport, they'll need to thank Kenhi Pretty. The cornerback picks off Spencer Rattler, who was orchestrating a probable scoring drive for the Saints.
Now the Jaguars restart on offense, with beneath 5 minutes away from a preseason victory on the street. Pretty!
This fall 9:40 – Jaguars 17, Saints 9
It's one other empty drive for the Jaguars offense. After scoring 17 factors via the primary two quarters, they've been lowered to zero to date within the second half.
John Wolford is within the sport for Jacksonville at quarterback. On third-and-9, his move was deflected, leading to an incomplete move.
Can New Orleans get a landing and two-point conversion to tie this sport?
This fall 11:40 – Jaguars 17, Saints 9
The penalty was the killer for one more Saints drive. This time, it was a holding penalty courtesy of offensive deal with Barry Wesley.
Spencer Rattler made the drive respectable with a 17-yard completion to Dante Pettis on third-and-20. The followers at Caesars Superdome had been upset that New Orleans punted reasonably than go for it on fourth down.
Jacksonville will search for its first factors of the second half on its subsequent drive.
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Q3 0:00 – Jaguars 17, Saints 9
By way of three quarters, the Jacksonville Jaguars lead by eight over the New Orleans Saints. Two subject targets from the Saints within the third quarter carry them to a one-score sport.
Can the Jags maintain on?
Q3 0:17 – Jaguars 17, Saints 9
It's a one possession sport. Charlie Smyth kicks his second subject aim of the sport, this time a 40-yarder to chop the Saints' deficit to eight factors.
New Orleans takes benefit of Jaylan Ford's interception of Nick Mullens. The query stays whether or not the Saints can rating a landing. It certain appeared prefer it when Spencer Rattler discovered Mason Tipton deep for the 45-yard move and catch.
However like each drive right this moment, the Saints haven't reached the top zone.
Q3 5:09 – Jaguars 17, Saints 6
That's a much-needed takeaway for the Saints. Nick Mullens throws over the center, solely to have Jaylan Ford choose him off. Ford, the previous Texas Longhorn, was the Saints' 2024 fifth-round choose.
The Saints restart on offense at their very own 15-yard line.
