Week 2 of the NFL preseason is in the books, and with the regular season right on the horizon this week is when we see most of the starters for each team play in the preseason. There were a bunch of interesting games during the second week of the preseason, with young guys and vets standing out over each part of the game. Here in this notebook are my thoughts on every preseason game after watching every preseason game back on film, with players and schemes that I thought were really interesting.

Friday: Seattle Seahawks vs Kansas City Chiefs

Break up the Seattle Seahawks’ offense! I was bullish on offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak after his one-year tenure with the Saints ended a little rough, but schematically he is bringing sexy back. Lot of 12 personnel, lot of fullback usage. It’s real football up in the Pacific Northwest.

I was skeptical when the Seahawks first drafted Grey Zabel, but after sitting and watching how he would fit into the offense, I think it made much more sense. Watching him against the Chiefs you could tell why they loved his tape at North Dakota State. His movement skills are tailor made for guard in this offense, and he was hauling ASS on Friday.

Another couple of guys that stood out on the Seahawks offensive line were C Jalen Sundell and RG Anthony Bradford. Bradford had a rough year last year, but this offense seems to be better fitting for his movement skills. Sundell might be ripping the starting center job from Olu Oluwatimi with his run game skills.

The Chiefs didn’t play most of their defensive starters, and you could tell. Their depth up front and at the linebacker spot is going to be something that I’ll be watching in the regular season.

The two most interesting spots are along the offensive line. Josh Simmons has looked really good, but I think where there might be some growing pains are with his timing and trying to do too much as a pass protector. Simmons is an elite athlete now that he’s fully healthy, and sometimes being an elite athlete is enough on the football field. He’ll be fine.

LG Kingsley Suamataia…yeah we might have a problem. Suamataia is a good run blocker, but his lack of timing and technique in the pass protecting area might be a bit of an issue. The Chiefs are taking a big risk replacing Joe Thuney with Suamataia, and he has the athleticism to make things work. Plus, OL coach Andy Heck will get him up to speed. But the left guard spot could become an issue going forward.

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Tennessee Titans vs. Atlanta Falcons

The onboarding process of QB Cam Ward has gone smoothly thus far. The game doesn’t look too fast for Ward, and his arm talent when the pocket is clean looks as advertised. There are times when he has too much dip on his chip, but that comes with being a rookie. I’m cautiously excited for what he looks like in the offense.

The Titans’ offensive line looks really good through a couple of preseason games. Yes, it’s been against backups but their line has given Ward a lot more time and comfort in the pocket. LT Dan Moore Jr. is still a major question mark, but the group is promising.

The Falcons haven’t played many starters on either side of the ball, but I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen from second year DT Ruke Orhorhoro. His length and strength are going to be a problem in the run and pass game from the defensive tackle spot.

Rookie LB Jalon Walker didn’t play on Friday, but EDGE James Pearce Jr did, and he’s had ups and downs this season. His bend and closing speed around the edge is really good, but sometimes he freelances a little bit and his lack of length in the run game is going to be an issue. If he can be a designated pass rusher to start his career, he might grow into something special.

Saturday: Houston Texans vs Carolina Panthers

So the Texans starting defense is still very good. The Panthers couldn’t generate any movement on the ground and the passing game was nonexistent. EDGE Will Anderson Jr. is going to be a sneaky Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

I liked what I saw from the Texans’ run game, especially from LT Aireontae Ersery and LG Laken Tomlinson. Ersery is such a fascinating prospect to me, a big powerful tackle with long arms, but his foot speed in pass protection is still a little under question. I think he’s going to start at left tackle for Houston.

Nick Caley’s run game looks pretty good so far. A lot of duo and gap scheme principles, much less wide zone like Bobby Slowik did with Houston.

Panthers’ EDGE Princely Umanmielen has flashed a bit as a pass rusher. His ability to get to the corner and the high side as a pass rusher is really sick, and he’s going to play a lot on 3rd downs.

Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots

This Mike Vrabel version of the Patriots are going to bring some PHYSICALITY to this team. They have plenty of question marks, but this team is going to try and beat people up.

The Pats early round rookies get most of the attention (for good reason), but WR Efton Chism has stolen the show for me. The undrafted rookie from Eastern Washington is playing his way into a roster lock. The Pats used him a lot on choice routes and let him work after the catch, where his stellar touchdown on Saturday came. I’m not calling him Julian Edelman, but the Patriots might’ve found another good one.

Not much went well for the Vikings on Saturday, but I was impressed by UDFA QB Max Brosmer. He’s got a legit arm and is unafraid of taking chances in the middle of the field. He’s thoroughly outplayed Sam Howell and Brett Rypien in the backup QB competition.

New York Giants vs New York Jets

The Jaxson Dart hype train rolls on. I don’t mean to throw cold water on the parade, but I would say to hold off on calling him the next big thing. Dart has been fine in his preseason reps, but Brian Daboll and co. have insulated him with a bevy of screens and passes at or behind the line of scrimmage. What Dart has done well is not have many negative plays and use his legs when given the opportunity. The Giants’ schedule is ROUGH, but I forsee Dart starting earlier than most expected.

The Jets’ offensive line and run game looks really good, but they’ve hidden QB Justin Fields as a passer for most, if not all, of the preseason. I’m not sure how far it’s going to get them, but Fields left a lot on the table as a passer.

The trench battles between the Jets and Giants were really fun. Both teams have improved their front lines on both sides and I’m excited to see them grow.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Teddy Bridgewater can still toss that pigskin, brother. Could legit push Kyle Trask for the QB2 spot, his accuracy on Saturday was still pinpoint.

Steelers’ DTs Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton might be the next great young asskicking duo on the interior. Their battle with Bucs’ RG Cody Mauch and C Graham Barton was really fun, and their strength is going to boost the Steelers’ defense this year.

Two young Steeler skill position players I’m fascinated by: RB Kaleb Johnson and WR Roman Wilson. Wilson has been a big play machine through two games and his proficiency on in-breaking routes works really well with this offense. Johnson is a hard runner with great vision, who can spell Jaylen Warren in the backfield. He’s broken a lot of tackles this preseason, which really tracks on the scouting report.

Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals

The youth movement on offense really showed up. RB RJ Harvey had a TD pass, WR Troy Franklin caught two TD passes, but I think Pat Bryant had some big moments. His ability to create separation and focus on catches over the middle will play well in the Denver offense, especially for a group that needs more from their receivers.

Rookie CB Jahdae Barron had some nice moments too, especially in the run game. I think he’s more of a nickel than outside cornerback, but the dude can tackle his ass off.

Broncos’ QBs coach Davis Webb called plays, and based on everything I’ve read and seen from the Denver area, he won’t be in Denver for long.

Las Vegas Raiders vs San Francisco 49ers

Ashton Jeanty did that on Saturday, and whew baby I’m excited to see him in this offense. The physicality he brings to the offense is going to be huge for Vegas.

Brock Bowers shaved his head and now we need a new nickname for him. “The Winter Soldier”, “Stone Cold Brock Bowers”, “Bald Bowers” are my top three right now.

San Francisco’s starting offense played, and it was much more of the same. QB Brock Purdy was really efficient, and I thought WR Ricky Pearsall played well. The Dominik Puni injury is rough though.

Philadelphia Eagles vs Cleveland Browns

The Dillon Gabriel experience was on full display Saturday. Gabriel made some mistakes and took some bad sacks, but overall played well within the confines of the offense. The pick he threw wasn’t on him; the tight end drifting into the same area as the over route holds that blame. But Gabriel threw some nice timing routes. We’ll probably see him and QB Shedeur Sanders this season.

Eagles’ rookie LB Jihaad Campbell is going to make a lot of plays as a blitzer. He got a sack on a blitz in this game, and it was an area where he excelled at Alabama. The versatility of the Eagles’ front seven improved by the day.

The second cornerback spot on the Eagles’ defense is going to be a big question mark. They traded for CB Jakorian Bennett to push CB Kelee Ringo, but Ringo has not played well this training camp. You of course can put Cooper DeJean outside, but that would be making him less efficient.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Los Angeles Rams

Rams WRs Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield have to make the final 53 for the Rams. Both bring speed and explosiveness to the offense, and Smith is especially a plus in special teams. They could push WR Tutu Atwell for serious reps.

It was a rough day in the injury room for the Chargers’ offense. WR Quentin Johnston left with a concussion, and Keandre Lambert-Smith also left with an injury. However, Lambert-Smith made a great catch on a Justin Herbert harpoon of a throw in the first quarter.

Rams backup QB Stetson Bennett made some real kickass throws on Saturday. Good for him sticking in the league.

Dallas Cowboys vs Baltimore Ravens

The Joe Milton experience was in full swing on Saturday. Some high, high level throws combined with the most baffling passes ever known to man. Milton also got crushed on a sack where he didn’t feel the pressure and it resulted in a safety. The Cowboys might need to bring in a QB2.

The Baltimore Ravens have one of the strongest collections of defensive line talent in the NFL. Their depth is super strong, and I wouldn’t be surprised if any of them get scooped up by other teams after cut days.

The Cowboys need a true nose tackle, because Mazi Smith ain’t it. DT Perrion Winfrey has played well, but I don’t think he has the size to hold up there.

Sunday: New Orleans Saints vs Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars’ starting offense looked good on Sunday. The thing that stood out the most was how razor sharp QB Trevor Lawrence looked within the offense again. He’s operating at a much quicker speed and the offense is tailored to his talents. If the offensive line can keep him healthy, he could be on track for a great year.

The Saints’ QB battle is…interesting. Neither QB has outplayed the other, but you can make the argument that incumbent QB Spencer Rattler has higher highs than rookie QB Tyler Shough, but both have catastrophic lows. If it were me, however, I’d start Shough. He’s a 26 year old rookie, you don’t have time to let him sit and wait. You gotta figure out what you got in the rookie, and if it goes down the toilet you know what Spencer Rattler is.

What can’t happen is the pressure that Shough was under against the Jaguars. The offensive line got worked by the Jags starters, and if they can’t protect then nobody under center will play well.

Chicago Bears vs Buffalo Bills

Are the Bears going to the Super Bowl? No, but the first action of starting QB Caleb Williams in the new offense is promising. Williams was much more composed and under control in the offense, not resorting to the wacky chaotic plays that you saw last season. A pretty over route to TE Colston Loveland and a nice seam ball to TE Cole Kmet were the highlights, but overall he looked good.

Buffalo Bills’ rookie DT Deone Walker has some really fun pass rush moments. Despite his massive size, he’s much more of a pass rusher than run stopper who can use his length and surprising quickness to disrupt offenses. The Bills need more juice from their pass rush unit, and Walker can potentially provide that during the regular season.

The Luther Burden III experience reached a new high on Sunday. Burden had three catches for 49 yards, but had two key blocks on touchdown runs at the goal line. Burden was an interesting prospect coming out of Missouri, one that is electric with the ball in his hands but needs some more refinement in his route running. So far, it looks like his growth has come exponentially.