Fansided

NFL roundup: Preseason games begin, and the quarterbacks were on full display

By Brad Weiss

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NFL Preseason kicked off on Thursday, as 12 teams took the field to open their 2016 schedule.

Six games on the NFL Preseason slate on Thursday, and there were plenty of storylines to go around. The big story in the AFC West is who will replace Peyton Manning as the quarterback of the Denver Broncos, and three quarterbacks made their case on Thursday. In a 22-0 win against the Chicago Bears, Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian, and rookie Paxton Lynch all looked good, combining to go 23 of 32 with 254 yards. Sanchez got the first reps, but he definitely has some talent behind him.

The New York Jets opened up their preseason slate on Thursday, and despite all the drama caused by the team’s failure to sign Ryan Fitzpatrick all off-season, the team’s starter was under center to begin the game. Fitzpatrick played sparingly, going 3 for 4 with 72 yards before giving way to Geno Smith. He also performed well, tossing a touchdown pass to Charone Peak, while third-stringer Bryce Petty showed improvement as well. The Jets beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-13.

The Jets’ AFC East rival New England Patriots opened up their preseason schedule on Thursday, and there was an unfamiliar quarterback under center. Tom Brady was allowed to miss the game to attend a memorial service, giving Jimmy Garoppolo the chance to start. Garoppolo is slated to start the first four games of the Patriots season, as Brady serves his suspension. He threw for 168 in the game, looking good at times, but he did look shaky at others. He will need to continue to progress during camp because the Pats need him. The Pats won a high-scoring affair against the New Orleans Saints, 34-22.

Over in Philadelphia, the Eagles showcased their prized rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, who got his first taste of Lincoln Financial Field. Wentz looked like a rookie, making a few mistakes, while showing signs that he could be something special in the NFL. He will begin the season as the third-string quarterback, but he is definitely their signal-caller of the future.

On the other side of the ball, second-year quarterback Jameis Winston looked very good for the Buccaneers, shaking off an early fumble to throw for 97 yards and a touchdown in a 17-9 loss. Winston was stellar as a rookie in 2015, and it appears there will be no sophomore slump.

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