Tag: NFL Preseason Week 3

NFL preseason Week 3 fantasy football recap

Reviewing all of the notable fantasy football performances from Week 3 exhibition play.

While NFL preseason stats ultimately don’t matter in the quest for a fantasy football championship, that’s not to say it those numbers are entirely useless to track. Exhibition action gives us a glimpse into unearthed gems and allows gamers to recalibrate late-round flier rankings. After all, just getting an opportunity to showcase one’s talent can be the difference in making a roster or not, which sometimes is enough to create an inroad for a chance during the regular season.

With that established, here’s a spin around the noteworthy performances — good and otherwise — over the final week of the preseason. Since the NFL splits the games up over several days, be sure to check back multiple times for updates.

6 biggest takeaways from Patriots’ 23-7 road loss to Titans

The Patriots got stepped on at Nashville Stadium on Friday night. Here are the six biggest takeaways from their loss to the Titans.

It won’t be a fun flight back home for the New England Patriots, following Friday’s shellacking at the hands of the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

The “Music City” was singing the name of Malik Willis by the end of the four-quarter exhibition finale, while Patriots backup quarterback Bailey Zappe was getting absolutely roasted on social media.

That isn’t to suggest all of the blame lies at the feet of the second-year signal-caller. The Patriots were bad on offense, defense and special teams. It was a trifecta of disappointment for the team in a game that will weigh heavily in coach Bill Belichick’s decision on the final 53-man roster.

Here are the six biggest takeaways from the game.

Patriots Twitter shreds Bailey Zappe after brutal loss to Titans

Zappe-Mania wasn’t running wild in Friday’s loss to the Titans.

The New England Patriots were defeated by the Tennessee Titans 23-7 in the final preseason game of 2023. With the loss, the Patriots dropped to 1-2 on the preseason slate.

Quarterback Bailey Zappe got the start for New England and went 8-of-15 for 57 yards on a night when the offense struggled. Kevin Harris carried the ball seven times for 17 yards for the only touchdown of the game for New England.

The Patriots started off strong defensively, but fatigue was a factor towards the later parts of the game. Tennessee quarterback Malik Willis was able to use his scrambling ability and strong arm to lead the Titans to victory.

Let’s take a look at some of the best reactions from Patriots Twitter.

Instant analysis of Patriots’ 23-7 loss to Titans in preseason finale

It was an ugly performance for the Patriots in Friday’s preseason finale.

The New England Patriots wrapped up their 2023 preseason with a dud of a performance on the road in a 23-7 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Friday night.

Granted, things started off strongly—at least on the defensive side of the ball—when the Patriots forced a three-and-out against Tennessee with starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill under center.

However, things got progressively worse when backup Malik Willis came into the game

The defense looked completely baffled at times by his ability to scramble around with the football and make plays on the run. They were able to get consistent pressure, but Willis kept buying time with his legs for receivers to get wide open.

That was pretty much the story of the game with the Titans sticking with their second-year quarterback the rest of the way, after the initial drive by Tannehill.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Patriots looked like they were playing in quicksand. They couldn’t get anything going.

The offensive line was getting pounded into oblivion, and Bailey Zappe became a sack lunch for a ferocious Titans defense. Tennessee finished the game with six sacks and three forced fumbles. The Patriots recovered one fumble, and the other two ended up being takeaways for the Titans.

With the preseason now in the rearview, the Patriots can turn the page towards next Tuesday’s 53-man roster cut deadline. That’s when the team will settle on their final roster in preparation for their Sept. 10 regular season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

A meeting with the defending NFC champions is a good gauge to know exactly where the Patriots stand as a football team right out of the gates.

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WATCH: Calvin Munson acrobatic interception on Titans QB Malik Willis

Calvin Munson stole one from Titans QB Malik Willis on this beautiful defensive play.

The New England Patriots started off slowly to begin Friday’s preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. However, an interception from linebacker Calvin Munson helped get things going.

Titans quarterback Malik Willis threw a pass over the middle, and Munson read the play beautifully to go over the receiver and make the interception. The interception itself set New England up in scoring range and boosted the defense, which has been strong from the start.

It ultimately set up a drive that ended in a rushing touchdown for running back Kevin Harris to put the Patriots ahead.

Munson has led the defensive unit in tackles throughout the first half. He is leaving it all on the field with this being the preseason finale and the last chance to impress the Patriots’ coaching staff.

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Report: Patriots QB Mac Jones won’t play in Friday’s preseason finale

Don’t expect to see Mac Jones on the field in Friday’s preseason finale.

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones will reportedly not play in Friday’s preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans, according to MassLive’s Karen Guregian.

Jones played in three series in last week’s game against the Green Bay Packers. The offensive line struggled, and the quarterback was hit several times.

Still, Jones performed respectably well, going 6-of-9 throwing for 52 yards and averaging 5.8 yards per pass.

Jones’ absence will give New England a chance to see quarterbacks Bailey Zappe, Trace McSorley and maybe even rookie Malik Cunningham get more reps. Zappe has recorded 22-of-36 completions for 196 yards and a touchdown over the course of the preseason.

Cunningham played against the Houston Texans in the preseason opener. He went 3-of-4 on the evening, throwing for 19 yards. He also carried the ball five times for 36 yards and a touchdown.

This will be the last opportunity for players like Cunningham and McSorley to make the 53-man roster. So Jones’ absence won’t lessen the overall importance of the game.

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Titans could take unique QB approach into preseason finale

What Titans quarterback(s) will the Patriots face on Friday night?

The Tennessee Titans could take a unique approach into Friday’s preseason finale against the New England Patriots, as NESN.com’s Jason Ounpraseuth pointed out.

Titans rookie Will Levis played in one preseason game, before suffering a thigh injury. The injury is still not healed and will keep him out for the rest of the preseason. Veteran Ryan Tannehill has not played in a preseason game for Tennessee, as the veteran prepares for his 11th season in the NFL.

This could open the door for Malik Willis to play once again, after starting last week against the Minnesota Vikings. He played the entire game, going 10-of-17 and throwing for 85 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

He showed his running ability as well, carrying the ball 11 times for 91 yards.

Starting a quarterback for the entirety of a preseason game is rare, but the Titans might have to do so once again, given current circumstances. One thing is certain: It’ll be a good test for the Patriots’ defense in facing a dual-threat quarterback that can make plays on the move.

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Bengals vs. Commanders live stream, time, viewing info for preseason game

Viewing info for the preseason finale.

The Cincinnati Bengals preseason is already almost over as they travel to Maryland to face off against the Commanders Saturday in their final game before the 2023 regular season begins.

The Bengals defensive starters were on the field together for one drive last week against the Atlanta Falcons. Joseph Ossai ended that drive by intercepting a pass that was tipped by Mike Hilton from Falcons QB Desmond Ridder in the red zone.

Head coach Zac Taylor said that no starters will be playing this week against the Commanders.

The battle to be Joe Burrow’s backup also continues since he is still out with a calf strain and Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning haven’t been able to create any separation from each other.

Here’s a quick look at viewing info and key details about the matchup to know, including the forecast and opponent info.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Washington Commanders on Saturday, August 26 (6:05 p.m. ET)

TV info: WKRC-TV (CBS Local)

In-market live stream: NFL+, FuboTV

Radio: Cincinnati – WCKY-AM (1530), Cincinnati – WEBN-FM (102.7), Cincinnati – WLW-AM (700)

Location: FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland

Forecast: Partly cloudy, 89 degrees

Opponent Wire site: Commanders Wire

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Patriots vs Titans 2023 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online

How to watch Saturday’s preseason game between the Patriots and Titans.

The New England Patriots close out their 2023 preseason schedule with a trip to the “Music City” in Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans.

Last week, the Patriots held on for a 21-17 victory over the Green Bay Packers in a game that was stopped early in the fourth quarter, after rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden suffered a scary head injury. The Titans, on the other hand, ran the Minnesota Vikings into the ground in a 24-16 win.

The Patriots struggled against the run against Green Bay. So this will be a great test to see how they adjust in this game, especially if Titans backup quarterback Malik Willis is under center.

On the offensive side, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones might be asked to sit this game out due to the offensive line struggles. The team is hoping to see improvement by the regular season opener, when they hopefully get starting guards, Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu, back in the mix.

Here’s how to watch Friday’s game.

OL struggles could lead to Patriots resting QB Mac Jones on Friday

Mac Jones might sit out in the preseason finale.

The New England Patriots are expected to rest Mac Jones in Friday’s preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans.

It’s a change in approach from last season, when the team trotted their starting quarterback onto the field against the Las Vegas Raiders in the final preseason game. But there are some serious concerns that might thwart any chances of Jones playing another snap before the regular season opener.

ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported on Thursday that there was “strong consideration” in holding Jones out after the hard hits he took in last week’s game against the Green Bay Packers behind the banged-up offensive line.

Starting left tackle Trent Brown was used sparingly, and both guards, Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu, were out. That left Jones at the mercy of an aggressive Packers defense.

The Patriots might take the safer than sorry approach against the Titans.

This game should highlight Bailey Zappe and Trace McSorley. It would be great to see Malik Cunningham get more work under center, if the team is truly considering keeping him on the 53-man roster.

If they’re cutting him and hoping he ends up on the practice squad, however, it might be smarter to keep him under wraps from other teams that might be interested.

As for Jones, he doesn’t gain much from playing on Friday. He had a full week of work last week with joint practices and a game appearance. It’s time for him to put exhibition football in the rearview and turn the page to the regular season.

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