NFL Preseason 2024: Biggest Takeaways from Week 3 Games
NFL Preseason 2024: Biggest Takeaways from Week 3 Games0 of 5
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony RichardsonIan Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The 2024 NFL season is looming. Deadlines are drawing near. Trades are happening.
The league’s 32 teams are gearing up for games that actually count. Before they do, they must finish the third and final week of preseason.
While preseason doesn’t seem to hold the same level of importance it once did—with multiple squads barely playing any of their projected starters through three contests—roster decisions are still being made, including some of the most important ones.
“I would say by Monday night we should know who the quarterback is,” New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters this week. “You know, Sunday night game, it’s always hard to really crank through the film, especially on the road, but I think Monday, Tuesday we probably should know who the quarterback is.”
Plenty remains on the line as the final weekend of preseason play commences.
Week 3 Preseason Schedule
Bengals vs. Colts: Slide No. 1Chiefs vs. Bears: Slide No. 2Falcons vs. Jaguars: Slide No. 3Buccaneers vs. Dolphins: Slide No. 4Raiders vs. 49ers: Slide No. 5Saturday
Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Green Bay Packers vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 4 p.m.
New York Jets vs. New York Giants, 7:30 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Cleveland Browns, 10 p.m.
Sunday
New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans, 2 p.m.
Denver Broncos vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:30 p.m.
Washington Commanders vs. New England Patriots, 8 p.m.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals1 of 5
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson attempts a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals. Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Ups and Downs of Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson on Full Display
Anthony Richardson’s potential is off the charts. But everyone understood his limited starting experience upon entering the NFL. The situation was further exacerbated by only playing in four games as a rookie due to a season-ending should surgery.
This offseason was critical. Richardson needed the time to heal, all of the necessary reps and start to gel with his offense.
Thursday’s performance against the Cincinnati Bengals provided a glimpse into what could be exciting and disappointing with a still-developing quarterback.
Richardson and Co.’s first drive was nearly perfect, by completing seven of eight passes. He started by ripping a throw to Alec Pierce. The best play of the drive came on 3rd-and-10 when the Bengals showed a full-house blitz, Richardson audibled and then hit his hot route, Pierce again, for a first down. That drive ended in a touchdown on a crossing route to rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
NFL @NFLThe @Colts opening drive 🔥
Anthony Richardson goes 7/8 for 65 yards and finds rookie WR Adonai Mitchell for the TD! pic.twitter.com/Bp3IvzZEX1
The next four drives were nowhere near as successful. A pick-six will generate significant concern, though it looked like far more like miscommunication between the quarterback and target rather than an outright missed pass.
Cincinnati Bengals @Bengals.@JordanMBattle with the pick-six 😏
📺: #CINvsIND on Prime Video pic.twitter.com/ivXKQDFWzp
These types of mistakes are common among a growing offense with multiple young players. Richardson must still be more consistent, particularly with his mid-range game. But he also presents the possibility of the spectacular.
The Colts will take the good with the bad, as long as Richardson is on the field and playing.
Undrafted Fan-Favorite Puts Best Foot Forward in Final Preseason Game for Bengals
Undrafted free agents earning a spot on an NFL roster are always feel-good stories, even if it happens regularly.
In the case of Bengals linebacker Maema Njongmeta, he’s yet to officially receive word whether he’s made Cincinnati’s roster. At the same time, he’s done everything he could to make his case.
Through two preseason contest, the Wisconsin product amassed 17 total tackles. He added 11 tackles against the Colts. Clearly, Njongmeta has a nose for a football. The Bengals have a tough lineup to crack, though.
Logan Thomas and Germaine Pratt are an outstanding starting duo. Both Joe Bachie and Akeem Davis-Gaither have been with the franchise for years.
Even so, Njongmeta has made an impression. He’s been productive. While the Bengals decided not to play their primary contributors in Week 3, individuals like Njongmeta were out there competing as best as they can to claim one of those final roster spots.
Chicago Bears vs. Kansas City Chiefs2 of 5
Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden HicksCourtney Culbreath/Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs Find Another Diamond-In-the-Rough For Defensive Secondary
The Kansas City Chiefs have a history of developing defensive backs after drafting them in the mid- to late-rounds. L’Jarius Sneed, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson and Chamarri Conner were chosen in the previous four classes (not including first-rounder Trent McDuffie). All of them were drafted in the fourth round or later.
Safety Jaden Hicks, whom the Chiefs also selected in this year’s fourth round, appears to be next in line.
Hicks covers a lot of field, especially when he’s playing his downhill angles. Yet the 6’2″, 211-pound defender is capable of playing all over at either safety spot, in the alley or covering the slot receiver.
“I liked what I saw,” head coach Andy Reid said after Hicks’ first preseason performance. “He’s big, and he’s fast.”
This year’s 133rd overall pick added another tackle for loss and defended pass against the Chicago Bears. Justin Reid and Bryan Cook are experienced starting safeties. Hicks has the potential to play in big nickel packages, while also contributing on special teams.
His play during preseason also portends another potential secondary steal for a Chiefs front office that knows how to evaluate the position as well as anyone.
Second-Year Option Secures WR4 Role for Chicago Bears
The Bears are now loaded at wide receiver and look poised to have an explosive passing attack this fall. The previous statement may sound weird considering the Bears’ long history of futility at the quarterback position, but it’s 100 percent true.
With Caleb Williams settled as the face of the franchise, the Bears did right by him this offseason and added significant skill talent, with the acquisitions of Keenan Allen and this year’s ninth overall pick, Rome Odunze, to join D.J. Moore.
Who’s next?
Tyler Scott certainly looked the part Thursday against the Chiefs.
Scott caught four passes for 64 yards. His ability to threaten defenses as a vertical threat served as his calling card throughout the predraft process. Scott didn’t quite add that element a year ago, with 17 catches for 168 yards as a rookie.
The Bears sat their starters during the final preseason contest. But Scott showed off his skill set.
Chicago Bears @ChicagoBearsGREAT SCOTT 😮💨
📺: FOX32 pic.twitter.com/dKo9P33OOf
The rookie has a real opportunity to grow with the current crop of talented wide receivers found on Chicago’s roster and benefit from Williams now pulling the trigger.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars3 of 5
Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Brian Thomas Jr. Will Immediately Open Up Jaguars Offense as Explosive Threat
We saw a pattern in the Jacksonville Jaguars offense throughout preseason. Brian Thomas Jr. will be their big-play receiver.
In all three of the Jaguars’ preseason games, Thomas recorded a reception for 14-plus yards. He caught a pass from three different quarterbacks.
On Friday, Thomas hauled in a 28-yard pass from Jaguars’ starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
NFL @NFLTrevor Lawrence finds the rookie Brian Thomas Jr. for the big gain!
📺: #JAXvsATL on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/a5pBYAIFoc
Yes, Jacksonville played against the Falcons’ defensive reserves, but based on what Thomas has done in the exhibition contests, the team clearly plans to feature him in the passing game.
This offseason, the Jaguars signed Gabe Davis, who averages 16.7 yards per catch, but he left behind a track record of inconsistencies with the Buffalo Bills as a boom-or-bust receiver.
Thomas, a rookie first-rounder, could be a more consistent explosive threat than Davis and Christian Kirk, who’s a possession receiver.
Don’t be surprised if Thomas outpaces fellow LSU product Malik Nabers in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns this year.
Falcons Will Trade QB Taylor Heinicke, Perhaps for Late-Round 2026 Pick
Taylor Heinicke played through the entire first half of Friday’s game against the Jaguars. He completed eight out 17 passes for 81 yards.
Before the start of the preseason, The Athletic’s Josh Kendall suggested that the Falcons would “prefer” to trade Heinicke.
“The Falcons kept three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster last season so they could take advantage of the emergency quarterback spot on game days, but this staff is behaving like it would prefer to get some trade value for Taylor Heinicke and then stash a young quarterback on the practice squad.”
Atlanta could develop undrafted rookie John Paddock as the third-string quarterback behind Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.
Heinicke didn’t perform particularly well in the three exhibition outings, going 20 of 44 passing 206 yards, but backup quarterbacks have value, especially signal-callers with starting experience.
Obviously, the Falcons won’t get a premium pick for Heinicke, though the team may be willing to trade him in exchange for a late-round 2026 pick rather than cut or keep him.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Miami Dolphins4 of 5
Dolphins WR Malik WashingtonJulio Aguilar/Getty Images
Dolphins WR Malik Washington Has Earned a Roster Spot
Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill (thumb), Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) and River Cracraft are banged up. Odell Beckham Jr. is on the physically unable to perform list—he’s missed all of training camp. Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that Cracraft suffered a “significant upper-body injury.”
Miami has also placed wideouts Willie Snead IV and Tahj Washington on injured reserve.
Even if Hill and Waddle suit up for Week 1, the Dolphins need healthy receivers to fill out depth at the position.
Rookie sixth-rounder Malik Washington may get a roster spot and a decent amount of playing time. Because of the team’s injuries within the receiving corps, Washington likely earned his place in the rotation and as a returner on special teams with a standout performance.
Against the Buccaneers, Washington caught a pass for seven yards, ran the ball for 40 yards and returned a kick for 45 yards and a punt for 28 yards. As a do-it-all playmaker on Friday, he made the most of his opportunities within a depleted position group.
Buccaneers WR Cody Thompson Makes Strong Case to Make 53-Man Roster
Washington wasn’t the only wide receiver to improve his chances of securing a roster spot in this matchup. Sixth-year pro Cody Thompson could make it through roster cuts after hauling in seven passes for 45 yards on Friday.
In Week 1 of the preseason, Thomas caught three passes for 26 yards. He had a strong outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording five receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Thompson capped an impressive exhibition run with his performance on Friday. Among the Buccaneers’ pass-catchers, he’s had the most productive stretch over the previous three weeks.
With Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer, and Jalen McMillan essentially locked into the top four spots on the depth chart, Thompson could hang on to a back-end roster slot with his ability to contribute on special teams. He played 49 percent of the Seattle Seahawks’ snaps on special teams last year.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers5 of 5
49ers RB Jordan MasonJustin Ford/Getty Images
Jordan Mason Should Be 49ers’ RB2 Over Elijah Mitchell
At the beginning of training camp, head coach Kyle Shanahan talked about Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason as potential No. 2 running backs behind Christian McCaffrey.
If Shanahan sees a true competition for the primary backup running back role, Mason clearly beat Mitchell for the spot.
Mitchell missed two weeks of action before he returned to practice last Wednesday. Yet the 49ers held him out of Friday’s game with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Meanwhile, Mason opened the preseason with six carries for 34 yards and a touchdown. He missed the second exhibition contest because of a minor (hip) injury but bounced back with another strong outing against the Raiders, racking up 42 rushing yards with a score.
Backup running backs don’t have much value on the trade market. So, San Francisco may outright cut Mitchell and develop rookie fourth-rounder Isaac Guerrendo as the third-stringer behind McCaffrey and Mason.
Raiders May Stash WR Tyreik McAllister On Practice Squad
This offseason, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce bluntly said the team won’t field a juggernaut offense. That said, the unit can still make some explosive plays.
Aside from wideouts Tre Tucker and DJ Turner, Tyreik McAllister may be able to produce big gains as a receiver and a returner on special teams.
Against the 49ers, McAllister scored on an 81-yard punt return, gained 57 yards on two kick returns and contorted his body to haul in a 35-yard pass for a touchdown.
NFL @NFL81-yard punt return TD for Tyreik McAllister!
📺: #SFvsLV on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/lUyPieN6Lq
NFL @NFLThe Tyreik McAllister show continues!
The adjustment and the catch for the TD 🙌 pic.twitter.com/E8kjhOA2tJ
Before Friday’s outing, McAllister had a couple of quiet preseason showings as a pass-catcher, which is why he has an uphill climb for the No. 5 wide receiver spot, though the Raiders may use him exclusively on kick and punt returns.
However, if the Raiders see potential in McAllister, who turned 26 in April, he could be a practice squad player who eventually gets the call-up to the active roster during the regular season.
