5 biggest takeaways from Week 1 of NFL preseason

NFL Preseason got underway this past weekend. We take a look at 5 major talking points from the first round of games.

5. Philadelphia better put Carson Wentz in bubble wrap

Nick Foles is playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nate Sudfeld was going to take his place as Carson Wentz’s replacement, but he broke his wrist on Thursday night, putting him out indefinitely. The result? Wentz better not get hurt, or the Philadelphia Eagles are sunk. Wentz has been injury-prone over the last two seasons, first going down in an NFL MVP-caliber year with a torn ACL before breaking a bone in his back last December. If the Eagles are going to make it back to the postseason and be a threat to win it all, Wentz needs to be healthy all season long.

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4. Baltimore is going to be intriguing offensively

The Ravens aren’t trying to trick anybody. Baltimore is going to run the ball, run the ball some more, and then, when you don’t expect it … run. Lamar Jackson has the skill set to be a dynamic quarterback in the pistol and read-option, and the addition of Mark Ingram will help there as well. However, new offensive coordinator Greg Roman is already showing some wrinkles which we saw against Jacksonville on Thursday night. Jackson will throw the ball some, and it won’t be exclusively quick-hitters and short-gainers. Something to watch.

3. The Chiefs looked very similar to 2018

Kansas City only played its starters for one series on Saturday in a 38-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The defense gave up a 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. The offense immediately responded with a lightning-bolt scoring drive of its own, highlighted by a 36-yard dime from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce. So far, more of the same.

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2. Rookie quarterbacks mostly looked like rookie quarterbacks

No shocker here. Dwayne Haskins made some gorgeous throws for the Redskins, but also launched two of the uglier interceptions you’ll ever seen. Drew Lock made the short throws but missed the long ones, while Kyler Murray was asked to do little for the Cardinals. In New York, the Giants must have been pleased with Daniel Jone, who hit on all five passes — including a touchdown — against the New York Jets. It was nothing horrid and nothing spectacular.

1. No major stars were injured

This is the most important one. While there were some unfortunate injuries including Detroit Lions wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, none of the marquee names had to be carted off the field. With most big names only playing a few snaps this seems like a given, but we all know that isn’t the case.