NFL Preseason Week 2: A Look at the Top Players and Schedule

Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season kicked off on Thursday with a win for the New England Patriots. The rest of the season will continue with games on Saturday and Sunday (full schedule below).

The second week of the preseason often serves as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. NFL Nation reporters tell you what you need to know from each game as we head into the cutoff on Tuesday, August 27.

Thursday match

Eagles: Quarterback Jalen Hurts and the rest of the starting offensive linemen were off tonight. A handful of starters were involved on defense, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio continued to sort out the competition at a number of key positions including linebacker and cornerback. Several linebackers helped their cause against the Patriots. Zach Bowen, who saw most of his first-team reps this summer along with Devin White, showed some good chasing to stop cornerback Rhamondre Stevenson for no gain early in the first quarter. Nakobi Dean spent most of the night on New England’s defensive line and finished with five tackles, a team-high.

There were positive developments at the edge of the defense as well. Nolan Smith Jr., a first-round pick in 2023, recorded his second sack of the preseason. Bryce Huff, acquired as a free agent, has been a pass-pressure specialist mostly during his time with the New York Jets, creating uncertainty about whether he can be a three-man. Time will tell, but he made a good read to block a short pass to the right side in the first quarter and recorded three tackles in limited action. –Tim McMenus

Next match: vs. Vikings (Saturday, August 24, 1 p.m. ET)

Nationalists: Rookie quarterback Drake May played four series over two quarters — a total of 25 snaps — and the results (albeit against the Eagles’ backups) were a spark of hope for the Patriots’ future. After playing just one series last week, May helped lead the offense to 10 points — a 51-yard field goal by Joey Slay and then a 4-yard touchdown run by himself. He came on to start the second quarter in place of starter Jacoby Brissett (3 series, 3-of-7 for 17 yards, one interception).

May’s stats — 6 of 11 attempts for 47 yards, plus 15 yards on four attempts — didn’t necessarily reflect a calm performance as he patiently progressed through his developmental stages. For example, he threw a pinpoint deep ball in the third quarter to rookie wide receiver Javon Baker, who dropped it. Had that connection been made — and May couldn’t have thrown it better — this would have been a key play. –Mike Rice

Next match: In Commanders (Sunday, August 25, 8 p.m. ET)

Saturday matches

Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens, 12 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Bengals at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET

New York Giants at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET

Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4 p.m. ET

Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns, 4:25 p.m. ET

Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans, 7 p.m. ET

Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts, 7 p.m. ET

Washington Commanders at Miami Dolphins, 7 p.m. ET

Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 p.m. ET

New York Jets vs. Carolina Panthers, 7 p.m. ET

Los Angeles Rams vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 7:05 p.m. ET

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 7:30 p.m. ET

Dallas Cowboys vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 10 p.m. ET

Sunday games

Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos, 8 p.m. ET

New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers, 8 p.m. ET