NFL Pre-Season Week Two: Rising Stars Shine and Teams Make Statements
The second week of NFL pre-season action provided more excitement under the bright lights as rookies and veterans alike sought to impress coaches and fans alike. While the games don’t count toward the regular season, the performances gave insight into potential breakout stars and teams that could dominate this year.
One standout was rookie running back Ashton Jeanty for the Las Vegas Raiders. The sixth overall pick delivered a powerful performance against the San Francisco 49ers, leaving the field briefly after a hard hit but returning to score a touchdown. Jeanty showcased his punishing style with a 13-yard rush, flattening two defenders along the way. Raiders quarterback Geno Smith couldn’t hide his excitement, calling Jeanty “a special player,” while head coach Pete Carroll praised the rookie’s toughness, saying, “Jeanty looked tough as hell.” Comparisons to Marshawn Lynch are already surfacing, as Jeanty’s physical running style draws memories of the former Raider legend.
Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart continued to impress for the New York Giants. Coming off the bench to replace veteran Russell Wilson, Dart threw a touchdown pass and added a rushing score against the New York Jets. His performance stood out even without star receiver Malik Nabers, sidelined with a back injury. Drafted as the Giants’ future franchise quarterback, Dart’s early displays suggest he could see significant playing time sooner than expected.
For the Tennessee Titans, number one overall pick Cam Ward showed glimpses of promise despite a modest stat line of two completions from seven attempts for 42 yards. Ward displayed mobility with a 35-yard completion on the run and a remarkable deep pass to Van Jefferson that was unfortunately dropped. Head coach Brian Callahan praised Ward’s potential: “That ball that was dropped was an incredible throw. He’s shown all the things we need to see.”
Chicago Bears fans were treated to a spectacular debut from Caleb Williams, who led the team to a 38-0 shutout over the Buffalo Bills. Williams orchestrated a flawless 97-yard touchdown drive with a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3, immediately making a statement after a season where the Bears struggled to score on opening drives.
The quarterback situation in Cleveland continues to intrigue. Shedeur Sanders impressed in his debut but was sidelined this week, giving rookie Dillon Gabriel a chance to showcase his talent. Gabriel’s performance was mixed: 13 completions for 143 yards were offset by a pick-six and a fumble. Head coach Kevin Stefanski faces a difficult decision ahead of the final pre-season game regarding his backup quarterback behind veteran Joe Flacco.
Defensive injuries also shaped the pre-season narrative. Travis Hunter missed the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 17-17 tie against the New Orleans Saints due to an upper-body injury, a setback for a player expected to contribute heavily on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys may need to explore backup quarterback options after inconsistent performances by Joe Milton and limited confidence in Will Grier.
Denver’s Jarrett Stidham continued to shine for the Broncos, throwing two touchdowns and solidifying his status as a reliable backup to Bo Nix. Stidham has amassed 376 yards and four touchdowns over just three quarters of pre-season play, highlighting the depth Sean Payton has built on Denver’s roster.
Other notable results from week two included:
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Buffalo Bills 0-38 Chicago Bears
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Jacksonville Jaguars 17-17 New Orleans Saints
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Arizona Cardinals 7-27 Denver Broncos
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-14 Pittsburgh Steelers
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New York Jets 12-31 New York Giants
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Los Angeles Chargers 22-23 Los Angeles Rams
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Baltimore Ravens 31-13 Dallas Cowboys
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Kansas City Chiefs 16-33 Seattle Seahawks
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Tennessee Titans 23-20 Atlanta Falcons
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Carolina Panthers 3-20 Houston Texans
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Cleveland Browns 22-13 Philadelphia Eagles
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New England Patriots 20-12 Minnesota Vikings
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Green Bay Packers 23-19 Indianapolis Colts
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Miami Dolphins 24-17 Detroit Lions
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San Francisco 49ers 22-19 Las Vegas Raiders
Pre-season week two offered a preview of potential stars and emerging storylines, with rookies like Jeanty, Dart, Ward, and Williams proving they are ready to make an impact. Teams are beginning to solidify their depth charts, and fans can expect more fireworks as the regular season approaches. My Newspaper will continue to bring updates, highlighting standout performances and the key matchups shaping the 2025 NFL season.
