Category: Preseason

Bears PFF grades: Best and worst performers in Week 2 preseason win

Here’s a look at how PFF graded the Bears offense and defense in their preseason win over the Seahawks.

The Chicago Bears defeated the Seattle Seahawks 27-11 in their second preseason game, where it was a dominant performance from start to finish.

Pro Football Focus handed out player grades for those who took a snap in the Bears’ preseason win, and we broke them down by offense and defense, analyzing the three highest- and lowest-graded players on each side, as well as some other notable performers.

There were a few surprises in terms of the highest- and lowest-graded players, both on offense and defense. Here’s how the Bears were graded by PFF:

Bears rookie Velus Jones showcased playmaking ability in preseason debut vs. Seahawks

Bears WR Velus Jones Jr. made his rookie debut vs. the Seahawks, where fans caught a glimpse of the kind of playmaker he can be for Chicago.

Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. made his rookie debut against the Seahawks, where fans caught a glimpse of the kind of playmaker he can be for Chicago.

While Jones didn’t get many opportunities on offense — he had just one catch for 4 yards — it was what he was able to do on special teams that really stood out.

The Bears are going to try and get the ball in Jones’ hands as often as possible, as evidenced by a couple of plays in the return game. The biggest came on his second punt return of the game, when he fielded a punt at Chicago’s 19-yard line. Then Jones turned up his 4.3 speed and was able to elude tacklers before being brought down for a 48-yard punt return. The return led to the Bears’ first touchdown of the game.

“When I grabbed the ball, there was a guy on the punt team who was in front of me,” Jones said. “But I saw a crease by the sideline. It’s just a natural feeling when you get back there. So I made my cut, I just wiggled through, found the gaps and the spaces.”

Jones got a look at both kickoff and punt returns, which also included a 31-yard kickoff return. Jones’ speed and playmaking ability was undeniable in the limited sample size we got.

“He’s fast, for sure,” said coach Matt Eberflus. “He’s explosive. It’s a challenge for him because he’s a rookie and he’s going to have to come in there and show guys what he can do. I think he’s up for the challenge.”

Obviously the Bears want Jones to have the same impact on offense, and that’s likely to come. But Bears fans know all too well the impact of a playmaker in the return game.

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Lions vs. Colts: How to watch, listen, stream the preseason matchup

Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts: How to watch, listen, stream the preseason matchup

The Detroit Lions will take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday in the team’s second exhibition game. The preseason Week 2 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts comes after the two squads faced off for joint practices this week at the Colts’ training complex at Grant Park.

This game will feature a lot of the reserves and roster bubble players for both teams. Neither the Colts nor Lions are expected to play any key starters or prominent players, but that means ample time for the backups and aspirants to show what they can do.

Here’s how to take in the Lions vs. Colts preseason game no matter where you are or how you want to consume it. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. EDT from Indianapolis.

Watch

The game will be shown live on the Detroit Lions television network stations, including FOX 2 in Detroit and FOX 17 in Grand Rapids.

Play by play: Brandon Gaudin

Color analyst: Devin Gardner

Sideline reporter: Dannie Rogers

Stream

All preseason games are available to live stream with the NFL+ app on phones or tablets. The preseason games are free of charge on the app.

For preseason games only, fans can also use the Detroit Lions app or visit the team’s website on a tablet or phone. Note that the live streaming will not work on a home PC or laptop.

Listen

The team of Dan Miller on play-by-play, Lomas Brown on color commentary and T.J. Lang as the sideline reporter will handle the radio feed.

The game will be aired live on the Detroit Lions radio network, which features over 40 affiliate stations around Michigan and Northwest Ohio. In Detroit, the game airs on 97.1 The Ticket, the flagship station of the network. The full list of 2022 radio affiliates is available here.

Bear Necessities: TE Cole Kmet looks poised for breakout season

Cole Kmet looks like he’s in for a big year with the Bears.

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Bears tight end Cole Kmet made his preseason debut in Thursday’s game against the Seahawks, where we caught a glimpse of the role he’ll play in Luke Getsy’s offense. And from the look of it, Kmet is poised for a breakout season.

The starting offense only played one series, but we caught a glimpse of the blossoming connection between Kmet and quarterback Justin Fields. Fields found Kmet for a 12-yard screen pass on the first play from scrimmage. Later on the drive, Fields faked a handout, rolled out and found Kmet for a 19-yard completion down the middle of the field.

“It builds your confidence,” Kmet said. “All the work you put in through the offseason, the experience I’ve been having these past two years, it continues to grow each game we play. It feels good.”

Given there are questions surrounding Fields’ supporting cast, the Bears are hoping Kmet can be a reliable target in the middle of the field. Kmet has a chance to be an impact player on offense.

“Cole’s a great tight end. He can do pretty much all,” Fields said. “He can block. He’s a great route runner. He has great hands, so he definitely brings another weapon to our offense.”

Lions roster by jersey number for the preseason game with the Indianapolis Colts

The Detroit Lions 85-man roster by jersey number for the preseason game with the Indianapolis Colts

The Detroit Lions will play their second preseason game of the 2022 schedule when they take the field against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, August 20th at 1 p.m. ET. Unlike the preseason opener against Atlanta, many starters are not expected to play for either team.

That can make identifying who is involved in the action tricky. To that end, here are all 85 players on the Lions’ active roster entering Saturday’s exhibition matchup with the Colts. They are listed by jersey number. Remember, not everyone will play.

10 Lions roster bubble players to watch vs. Colts

Texans defense seals 24-20 preseason win over Rams with signature takeaway

The Houston Texans defense got a signature takeaway to seal their 24-20 preseason win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Safety Grayland Arnold recovered a Lance McCutcheon fumble and the Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Rams 24-20 to earn their second preseason win of the exhibition slate Friday night at SoFi Stadium.

The Texans did not have a takeaway throughout the game until defensive back M.J. Stewart forced the fumble. Arnold, who finished with four combined tackles, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, and 1.0 sack, collected the loose ball on the game’s final play to ensure first-year coach Lovie Smith started off his Texans tenure perfect in preseason play.

Quarterback Davis Mills and the first-team offense was in the game for the entirety of the first half, comprising six drives. Mills went 10-of-17 for 96 yards and a touchdown while taking two sacks and posting a 94.2 passer rating.

Receiver Nico Collins had the lone touchdown pass from Mills on the evening along with his team-high four catches for 48 yards. Receiver Phillip Dorsett also had a team-high 48 yards on three catches.

Houston’s backup quarterbacks were equally productive. Kyle Allen completed nine of 12 passing for 71 yards and a touchdown. Jeff Driskel threw the go-ahead touchdown to tight end Mason Schreck for eight yards to push Houston ahead 24-20.

The Texans’ defense generated six sacks against the Rams. First-team defensive linemen Jonathan Greenard and Roy Lopez had sacks in the first quarter. Derek Rivers, Demone Harris, and linebacker Christian Kirksey also had sacks for the Texans.

Royce Freeman was the leading rusher for Houston as he carried nine times for 30 yards. Marlon Mack saw eight carries for 29 yards with the first team, averaging 3.6 yards per carry.

The Texans go back to NRG Stadium on Aug. 25 to take on the San Francisco 49ers to complete their preseason slate. The Texans also have to cut their roster from 85 players to 80 by 3:00 p.m. Central Time on Aug. 23.

WATCH: Texans WR Nico Collins proves red zone worth against the Rams

Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins demonstrated against the Los Angeles Rams why he will be a big red zone weapon in 2022.

One of the mysteries of the 2022 offseason has been how receiver Nico Collins would look in the red zone.

The former 2021 third-round pick from Michigan showed some of his potential against the Los Angeles Rams in the second preseason game Friday night at SoFi Stadium.

With seven seconds to go in the first half, quarterback Davis Mills threw a jump ball for the 6-4, 215-pound wideout along the right boundary in the end zone. Collins corralled the ball and got both feet down to score the touchdown.

Collins caught 33 passes for 446 yards and a touchdown through 14 games in his rookie season, eight of which he started.

 

4 takeaways from the Texans’ first-team offense against the Rams

The Houston Texans’ first-team offense was anemic until the final drive of the first half against the Los Angeles Rams in the second preseason game.

The Houston Texans played their first team offense for the entire first half against the Los Angeles Rams in the second preseason game Friday night at SoFi Stadium.

The Texans had six drives where they could evaluate how well the offense was doing. Houston also had a less difficult challenge as the Texans’ offense was going up against the second and third teamers of the Rams, as opposed to Aaron Donald, Bobby Wagner, and Jalen Ramsey.

Here are four takeaways from the Texans’ first-team offense as they had the entire first half of work against the Rams in the second preseason tilt.

WATCH: Texans DT Roy Lopez sacks Rams QB John Wolford

Houston Texans defensive tackle Roy Lopez sacked Los Angeles Rams quarterback John Wolford for the the defense’s fourth sack of the preseason.

Houston Texans defensive tackle Roy Lopez had a bright rookie season last year as a sixth-rounder, and the Arizona product is building upon it in preseason.

On third-and-9 from the Rams’ 43-yard line, the second-year defensive tackle bust through the offensive line and dropped quarterback John Wolford for a 6-yard loss, the Texans’ fourth sack of the night.

Lopez had 1.0 sack in his rookie season along with five tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. The 6-2, 318-pound defensive tackle also had a fumble recovery in his 16 games, 15 of which he started.

If Lopez is able to add consistent pressure up the middle in the regular season, it will make coach Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 scheme effective.

WATCH: Texans DE Demone Harris sacks Rams QB John Wolford

The Houston Texans were able to get their second sack against the Los Angeles Rams with DE Demone Harris dropping QB John Wolford.

The Houston Texans defense is getting after the Los Angeles Rams’ passer.

Defensive end Demone Harris came up with a big stop on third-and-11 from the Texans’ 24-yard line with 5:30 to go in the first quarter when he sacked quarterback John Wolford for a 1-yard loss. The Rams were forced to settle for a 43-yard Matt Gay field goal.

Harris played three games in 2021, two with the Kansas City Chiefs and one with the Texans.

The Texans’ pass rush is predicated upon waves of pressure from rotating defensive linemen. If the Texans are able to get pressure from Harris consistently, it will help coach Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 function at a high level.