Shedeur Sanders STARTING? Jets Defense FIXED? Week 2 Overreactions
NFL Preseason Week 2: What’s Real and What’s Just Hype?
Separating the signal from the noise in the second week of exhibition games
Why Preseason Games Are Tricky
Important Point: Preseason games are like practice tests before the real exam. Teams hide their best plays, rest their star players, and experiment with lineups. So we must be careful not to overreact to what we see!
1. Cleveland Browns: The Quarterback Battle
What Happened
- Deshaun Watson (the veteran starter) played terribly in Week 2: 5-for-12 passing, only 35 yards, 1 interception
- Shedeur Sanders (the rookie) wasn’t amazing either, but looked better: 9-for-11, 74 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
- Browns fans booed Watson off the field
- Watson made disrespectful comments about fans afterward
The Verdict: REALITY
Sanders will likely be named the starting quarterback for the regular season. The decision could come as early as Monday. It’s not that Sanders "won" the job—it’s that Watson looked unplayable.
Key Insight: The coach (Todd Monken) said Watson’s comments won’t affect the decision, but they certainly didn’t help his case!
2. San Francisco 49ers: De’Zhaun Stribling’s Hot Start
What Happened
- De’Zhaun Stribling (rookie, 33rd overall pick) has been incredible:
- Week 1: 7 catches, 63 yards
- Week 2: 4 catches, 46 yards (tied for team lead)
- 3 catches from starting QB Brock Purdy on the opening drive!
- Also caught a 21-yard pass from backup Mac Jones
The Verdict: OVERREACTION… BUT POSSIBLE!
His odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year jumped to +1100 (5th best). But he’s competing against players who will have much bigger roles on their teams. He’d need to massively outperform expectations to actually win the award.
3. Atlanta Falcons: The Tua Tagovailoa Situation
What Happened
- Tua Tagovailoa barely played (only 3 passes in Week 1, sat out Week 2)
- Backups Cooper Rush (10-for-11) and Jack Strand (212 passing yards, 22 rushing yards, 2 TDs) looked great
- Michael Penix Jr. (1st round pick) is now healthy and cleared for full practice
The Verdict: REALITY
Tagovailoa’s starting job is genuinely at risk. Two problems:
- He’s been underwhelming in training camp
- Penix is healthy and has ~3 weeks to catch up and potentially pass him
This was always going to be a two-man race, and now the rookie is ready to compete.
4. New York Jets: "Fixed" Defense?
What Happened
- Jets defense went all of 2025 season without an interception
- In Week 2 preseason: 2 interceptions in ONE game (vs Steelers backup QB Will Howard)
- Also got 4 sacks (David Bailey, Nate Lynn x2, Chase Wilson)
- Starters played into 2nd quarter; Steelers scored 0 points
The Verdict: OVERRREACTION
Why this doesn’t mean much:
- Played against Pittsburgh’s backup offense
- New free agent additions are solid but not elite players
- Preseason stats ≠ regular season success
Coach Aaron Glenn needs this group to be competent in 2026, but one shutout vs backups proves very little.
5. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy’s Struggles
What Happened
- J.J. McCarthy (3rd year pro, former 1st round pick) lost starting job to Kyler Murray
- Expected to be the clear #2 quarterback
- Week 2 vs Ravens: 5-for-10, 3 hits taken, 1 sack in just 18 snaps
- Coach Kevin O’Connell said he’d have played more if not "banged up"
The Verdict: REALITY
McCarthy may not even be the #2 QB for long. Carson Wentz (veteran backup) might give the team a better chance to win if Murray gets hurt. McCarthy’s inability to stay healthy is a major red flag for his future in this offense.
6. Green Bay Packers: Kicking Problems Solved?
What Happened
- Since Mason Crosby left (2022), Packers kicking has been a disaster (missed 4 extra points last year, unreliable beyond 50 yards)
- Drafted Trey Smack in 6th round (2026) — only team to draft a kicker!
- Preseason performance:
- Week 1: 58-yard FG, 3-for-3 total
- Week 2: 4-for-4, including two 50+ yarders (long of 59 yards!)
The Verdict: REALITY
This looks like a genuine solution. Special teams could go from a liability to a weapon for Green Bay.
Quick Summary Table
| Team | Storyline | Verdict | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | Shedeur Sanders starting QB | Reality | Watson unplayable; decision imminent |
| 49ers | Stribling wins Rookie of Year | Overreaction (but possible) | Great start, but tough competition |
| Falcons | Tua’s job in danger | Reality | Penix healthy; Tua struggling in camp |
| Jets | Defense is "fixed" | Overreaction | vs backups; new players not elite |
| Vikings | McCarthy not even #2 QB | Reality | Poor play + durability concerns |
| Packers | Kicking solved with Trey Smack | Reality | Dominant preseason; only drafted kicker |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do preseason games matter at all if teams don’t try their hardest?
They matter for roster battles (like backup QB, kicker, 3rd-string receivers) and evaluating young players against live competition. Starters play limited snaps to get "game rhythm" without injury risk.
2. If Shedeur Sanders threw interceptions in both games, why is he winning the job?
Because Deshaun Watson looked significantly worse. The decision is relative—Sanders showed enough competence while Watson showed alarming decline. Plus, Sanders is a rookie with upside; Watson is a veteran on a massive contract who should look sharp.
3. Can a 6th-round kicker really fix years of problems?
Yes! Kickers are unique—draft position matters less than consistency. Trey Smack’s preseason accuracy (7-for-7, multiple 50+ yarders) suggests he has the mental toughness and leg strength the Packers have lacked. Many great kickers were late picks or undrafted.
4. Why is the Jets’ defensive performance an overreaction if they got 2 INTs and 4 sacks?
Because context is everything:
- Opponent: Steelers’ backup offense (3rd-string QB Will Howard)
- Sample size: One quarter+ of preseason football
- Personnel: New signings are role players, not stars
Regular season offenses are faster, smarter, and deeper.
5. What happens to J.J. McCarthy if he’s not the #2 QB?
He could be traded, released, or kept as #3. The Vikings invested a 1st-round pick in him, so they’ll try to recoup value. But if he can’t stay healthy and beat out a 40-year-old Carson Wentz, his future in Minnesota looks bleak.
Final Takeaway
Preseason is for answering questions, not writing history.
- Real developments: QB competitions (CLE, ATL), kicker solutions (GB), health updates (Penix)
- Noise to ignore: Team stats vs backups (NYJ defense), individual awards after 2 games (Stribling ROY)
- Red flags to watch: Veteran decline (Watson), durability concerns (McCarthy)
Enjoy the highlights, but wait for September to draw real conclusions!