The wait is finally over. While the Hall of Fame Game provided a brief appetizer for football-starved fans, the NFL preseason officially kicked into high gear this week. Between Thursday and Saturday, a flurry of 16 games swept across the league, transforming quiet training camps into high-intensity laboratories. For coaching staffs, the preseason is a complex balancing act: a choice between protecting veteran assets and assessing the raw potential of rookies and fringe roster candidates.
While some organizations opted for a conservative approach, shielding their starters from the physical toll of August, others took a more aggressive stance, prioritizing live-game reps to build chemistry and rhythm. This week’s slate of games offered a fascinating glimpse into the future of the league, featuring breakout performances, tactical experiments, and, for some, sobering reality checks.
The Philosophical Divide: To Play or Not to Play?
The opening week of the preseason has reignited the perennial debate regarding starter participation. Coaches like those in San Francisco opted for caution, largely due to a mounting injury list, while others utilized the first week to establish a baseline for their starting units.
For the purposes of our inaugural "Winners and Losers" report, we are giving the nod to the coaches who chose to put their starters on the field. In an era where practice reps are increasingly restricted by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, live-game action remains the gold standard for evaluation. The energy brought to the field by established stars not only benefits team cohesion but also elevates the quality of play for the spectators who invest their time in these August exhibitions.
Winners: Breakouts and Tactical Masterstrokes
Courtland Sutton and the Art of the Highlight
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton served as the undisputed catalyst for excitement this week. During Friday’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Sutton showcased the elite contested-catch ability that has become his trademark. On the opening possession, he physically dominated Falcons defensive back Mike Hughes, effectively "Moss-ing" the defender to set the tone for the evening.
Sutton’s performance—three catches for 60 yards in limited action—underscores his value as a "big-bodied" target. His presence provides a critical stylistic complement to recent trade acquisition Jaylen Waddle. While Waddle thrives on verticality, speed, and yards-after-catch (YAC), Sutton offers a reliable safety valve for quarterback Bo Nix. When Nix returns to the field, he will possess one of the most diverse wide-receiver duos in the AFC.
Omar Khan’s "Future-Proof" Strategy in Pittsburgh
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan is proving that his front-office acumen extends well beyond basic roster management. With the news cycle dominated by Aaron Rodgers’ scheduled retirement at the conclusion of the 2026 season, the Steelers have clearly shifted their focus toward long-term stability. The selection of former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round is already looking like a masterstroke.
Allar’s debut against the Green Bay Packers was nothing short of electric. Entering in the second half, he orchestrated a surgical 10-of-13 performance for 153 yards and three total touchdowns. While skeptics will point out that Allar faced Green Bay’s reserve defensive unit, his poise and command of the pocket were undeniable. Furthermore, Khan’s ability to secure defensive cornerstone Keeanu Benton on a four-year, $72 million extension adds a layer of fiscal responsibility to the team’s aggressive youth movement.
The Special Teams Spark: Trey Smack
In Green Bay, kicker Trey Smack is silencing the doubters. After a rocky training camp that left many questioning his reliability, Smack provided a masterclass in placekicking during the loss to Pittsburgh. Scoring all nine of the Packers’ points, he went 3-for-3 on field goals, including a booming 58-yarder.
Hitting long-distance kicks at Heinz Field is notoriously difficult, yet Smack proved his leg strength is more than capable of handling the elements. As the only placekicker selected in this year’s draft, Smack is beginning to justify the Packers’ investment, offering the kind of consistency that can be the difference between a playoff berth and a losing record.
Arizona’s Quarterback Renaissance
If early-season rankings are to be believed, the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback room was among the league’s most questionable. However, Thursday’s 27-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders may force a re-evaluation. The trio of Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, and Kedon Slovis combined for a staggering 26-of-30 passing for 212 yards and three touchdowns.
Brissett, in particular, looked rejuvenated, leading a flawless first-half possession that culminated in a spectacular touchdown pass to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. While preseason success is often contextual, the efficiency displayed by the Cardinals’ signal-callers suggests that the team’s offense may be significantly more dangerous than projected.
Losers: Setbacks and Missed Opportunities
The Falcons’ Summer of Discontent
The Atlanta Falcons have endured a brutal week. Beyond the catastrophic loss of 2025 first-round EDGE Jalon Walker to a torn ACL, the team learned that another first-round pass rusher, James Pearce Jr., will be sidelined for eight games. The suspension follows a violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy related to a February legal incident.
On the field, the situation was equally dire. A 27-7 loss to the Broncos, coupled with a sloppy turnover by Tua Tagovailoa on the opening drive, highlighted a lack of urgency. With Michael Penix Jr. still sidelined by a knee injury, the Falcons are currently in a state of flux, struggling to build momentum as the regular season approaches.
Kicking Woes in New England
The Patriots find themselves in a precarious situation regarding their special teams. In a 13-13 tie against the Indianapolis Colts, kicker Andy Borregales missed three field goals—from 49, 55, and 56 yards. The 49-yard miss, occurring with just 13 seconds left, effectively robbed the team of a victory. Head coach Mike Vrabel’s post-game comments were pointed: "We’re expected to make them. That’s pro football." With a new long snapper in the mix, the timing issues are evident, but New England cannot afford to drop points in a league where the margins for error are razor-thin.
The Sophomore Struggle: Cam Ward
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward entered this preseason with high expectations, but his performance against the 49ers’ reserve defense was underwhelming. Ward managed only 5-of-12 passing for 57 yards, with his efficiency hampered by poor decision-making and erratic accuracy. While the coaching staff remains patient, the lack of progress from a second-year player against backup competition is a concern the Titans must address before the season kicks off.
Implications for the Regular Season
As we look toward the remainder of the preseason, several themes have emerged. First, the depth of the quarterback class—both veteran backups and incoming rookies—is creating high-stakes competitions that will shape the middle tier of the league. Second, the importance of special teams remains a critical, if often overlooked, factor in determining game outcomes.
For the winners of Week 1, the challenge lies in maintaining this momentum and avoiding the "preseason trap" of overconfidence. For the losers, the next two weeks represent a critical window for correction. Teams must use these exhibition games not just for scouting, but for forging the identity that will sustain them through the grueling 17-game schedule. As the NFL machine continues to gain speed, the lessons learned in these opening days will serve as the foundation for the championship dreams of all 32 franchises.
