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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 middle because the Saints' quarterback battle continued. However Rattler could 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 ultimately pressure a 17-17 tie.
Later tonight, all eyes might 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.
As soon as the group’s younger duo of defensive tackles lastly obtained into the sport, second-round choose T.J. Sanders and fourth-round choose Deone Walker every had their moments. Each of Walker’s nice reps got here as a pass-rusher when he confronted a one-on-one alternative. These are the reps the Payments like to see out of a younger participant, and it’s promising that they’ve somebody his dimension, 6-foot-7 and 331 kilos, that may be a plus cross rusher. The large query is whether or not he may turn into their long-term one-technique defensive sort out, taking up double groups, occupying area and releasing up his teammates on early downs. That’s the place Walker has practiced for many of the summer time. It’s price noting that his two nice reps got here from the three-technique spot. Certainly one of them got here when he and Sanders made a task change proper earlier than the snap as a result of offensive formation.
The good reps from Sanders had been extra widespread, albeit extra on the delicate aspect, however you possibly can see the makings of what generally is a probably impactful participant as early as his first season. Sanders was successful one-on-one pass-rushing reps throughout his time within the sport. Nevertheless, his work in opposition to the run was extra spectacular. Regardless of being undersized (6-foot-4, 297 kilos) by NFL requirements, Sanders confirmed effectively in taking up a double group, holding his floor and releasing up the run-defending lane for his second-level defenders to make a play. Exhibiting effectively on the soiled work, along with the flashy performs, will assist him earn a stable function as a rookie. Sanders has been on a sluggish ascent for the reason that pads went on within the first week of coaching camp. The Payments may need an excellent one of their second-round choose.
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Whereas the 4 beginning offensive linemen, high three receivers, tight finish and working again, in addition to QB Caleb Williams, all sat out, the Week 1 beginning left sort out did play Sunday. We simply don’t know who that might be but.
Braxton Jones obtained the beginning and performed many of the first half earlier than second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo changed him for the ultimate two drives of the half. Trapilo then performed two collection within the third quarter earlier than Theo Benedet took over. Then Trapilo got here again late within the fourth quarter when Austin Reed got here in at quarterback.
On Bagent’s landing to Maurice Alexander, Jones surrendered a strain; Trapilo may need as effectively on his first snaps.
Case Keenum felt good having Trapilo defending his blind aspect within the second half.
“Generally, on the finish of preseason video games, there are guys who’ve been harm or pulled, and guys are taking part in totally different positions. However having Ozzy, I actually checked out him and was like, left aspect, it gave me an excellent sense. That’s an excellent feeling as a quarterback, when you will have a left sort out you are feeling actually good about.”
At the start of coaching camp, the Payments adopted by with cross-training fifth-round rookie Jordan Hancock at nickel and security, possible hoping to make him one other versatile defensive again they’ll 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 apply week. That included their first preseason sport, by 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 greatest place would possibly wind up being within the deep center because the free security.
Hancock’s read-and-anticipate abilities routinely put him in an excellent place in opposition to the Giants. Whether or not it was taking away a throwing window or charging down with confidence to make a sort out, 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 fitting place to make a play. The turnover was finally nullified as a result of an offsides penalty on rookie defensive finish Landon Jackson, however Hancock’s potential to make the play when given the prospect was famous. Hancock nonetheless has numerous room to develop, however there are indicators of an excellent 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 appropriately, there could even be some down-the-line beginning potential at free security, however he’s obtained a protracted highway earlier than that enters the dialog.
Again-to-back punts weren’t what anybody on the Bears’ sideline needed to see Sunday, however then Tyson Bagent obtained 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 cross to Maurice Alexander, who high-pointed the ball behind the top zone and obtained each toes 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 as we speak. He obtained an ideal launch off the road, and I’ve simply gotta give him an opportunity.”
Keenum, coming into his twelfth NFL season, was impressed with how Bagent managed a shaky begin to the sport.
“I actually preferred how he responded to not the beginning that we needed, whether or not it was a excessive cross right here or getting backed up or safety problem, 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, after all, and the QBs’ success got here in opposition to backups, however Bagent and Keenum’s performances nonetheless needed to make Johnson really feel comfy 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 cross rush within the playoffs. They introduced in White, not understanding if he’d be their starter, however as a result of rookie Maxwell Hairston’s multi-week knee harm, it actually looks like 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 right down to the center and trying to sort out 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 appeared 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, however it 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 issue bringing down the ball provider to reduce the acquire. Tackling has by no means been White’s robust go well with, however it was much less of a problem earlier in his profession when his protection abilities had been at their greatest. It’s just one sport, and White has had a powerful coaching camp. It’s one thing to watch over the following 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.
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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 obtained the ball again at their very own 48-yard line with simply six seconds left on the clock.
Should you’re questioning how a lot might be achieved in six seconds, that’s how a lot time was on the clock when QB Jayden Daniels obtained 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 obtained out of bounds with one second left, sufficient time for Cairo Santos to drill a 57-yard area aim.
Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler accomplished 18 of 24 passes for 199 yards and one landing with one interception for a 95.7 score.
Rattler led the important thing drive that ultimately tied the sport, a nine-play, 82-yard drive ending with a 20-yard landing cross to Dante Pettis. Rattler additionally ran within the two-point conversion to tie the sport.
OK, so that will not have been the prettiest NFL contest you'll ever see, even by preseason requirements. At the least we obtained an thrilling end! Let's see what you needed to say:
John W: Saints report this 12 months 2-15.
Jeff B: It’s not a lock that Shough would be the starter.
Be happy to move over to the "Focus on" tab on the high of your webpage or app, or ship us an electronic mail at live@theathletic.com along with your ideas!
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In a Saints quarterback competitors that wanted some life as we speak, Spencer Rattler supplied it. He bounced again from an interception and capped that final scoring drive off with a 20-yard landing cross to Dante Pettis.
What was a morbid day for the Saints offense truly ends on an honest notice.
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.
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This autumn 0:00 – Jaguars 17, Saints 17
What a wild finish to the sport! Seth Henigan, who was beneath middle 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 autumn 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 strategy to win?
This autumn 0:59 – Jaguars 17, Saints 9
Big alternative for Spencer Rattler right here. With beneath a minute to go, the Saints QB has an opportunity to steer his group down the sector 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 as we speak, finishing 9-of-12 passes for 66 yards. The Chris Olave drop would've made the quarterback's line significantly better.
Each quarterbacks have flashed, however not sufficient to succeed in the top zone to this point, as New Orleans solely has three area objectives on the board. That is one QB battle that can go right down to the top of the preseason. Both means, Saints followers haven't been too happy on the choices.
Might both Shough or Rattler shock? It's attainable. However there hasn't been a lot progress as we speak in opposition to the Jaguars.
This autumn 4:42 – Jaguars 17, Saints 9
If the Jaguars maintain on to win this sport, they'll need to thank Kenhi Beautiful. The cornerback picks off Spencer Rattler, who was orchestrating a possible scoring drive for the Saints.
Now the Jaguars restart on offense, with beneath 5 minutes away from a preseason victory on the highway. Beautiful!
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This autumn 9:40 – Jaguars 17, Saints 9
It's one other empty drive for the Jaguars offense. After scoring 17 factors by the primary two quarters, they've been lowered to zero to this point within the second half.
John Wolford is within the sport for Jacksonville at quarterback. On third-and-9, his cross was deflected, leading to an incomplete cross.
Can New Orleans get a landing and two-point conversion to tie this sport?
This autumn 11:40 – Jaguars 17, Saints 9
The penalty was the killer for an additional Saints drive. This time, it was a holding penalty courtesy of offensive sort out 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 somewhat than go for it on fourth down.
Jacksonville will search for its first factors of the second half on its subsequent drive.
Q3 0:00 – Jaguars 17, Saints 9
Via three quarters, the Jacksonville Jaguars lead by eight over the New Orleans Saints. Two area objectives from the Saints within the third quarter convey them to a one-score sport.
Can the Jags maintain on?
