Here are the biggest winners and losers from week two of 2022 preseason action: KaVontae Turpin USATSI The Cowboys already had high quality offensive weapons in CeeDee Lamb, Dalton Schultz and Tony Pollard. But they may have to find a way to include Turpin, too, after the secondary veteran and recent USFL star scored not one but two return touchdowns in Dallas’ win over the Chargers. Even if he was just a kicker or kicker, he likely locked up a roster spot. Speaking of offensive weapons in the NFC East, Gibson honestly seems to be losing his grip on the Commanders top spot. The former rookie standout, now entering his third year, has alternated with the second- and third-team units in practice recently. Against the Chiefs, he sat out while rookie Brian Robinson Jr. he started at tailback, then had just two touchdowns while relegated to kick-return duties. Kenny Pickett USATSI The Pittsburgh product was always going to be a fan favorite in the Steelers’ QB competition, but he was determined and unflappable in limited action against the Jaguars, making the case with a seamless scoring rate that he deserves real attention heading into Week 1. first by Mitchell Trubisky, who is more experienced but perhaps not more talented. Not all of the young AFC North QBs had a good weekend, and Rosen will be the first to admit it after completing just seven of 20 throws against the Eagles’ third down. At every stop in his career, his chance to claim No. 3 QB duties for the Browns behind Deshaun Watson and Jacoby Brissett is pretty much gone after Joshua Dobbs showed an effective arm and game-extending mobility to keep Cleveland competitive.
Winner: The running game
James Cook USATSI If you played preseason fantasy football with second- and third-string backs this week, congratulations. The Bills went all over the Broncos deploying every member of their deep backfield: Devin Singletary, Zack Moss, James Cook and Duke Johnson. The Eagles have been getting solid offense from Boston Scott and Kenny Gainwell with Miles Sanders out. The Lions trio of Justin Jackson, Craig Reynolds and Godwin Igwebuik combined for over 100 yards against the Colts. Who said the ground game is dead? Being injured isn’t necessarily his fault, but the star Saints wide receiver is trying to get back on the field for the first time since 2020 and two days after sitting out the second straight preseason game, he missed practice with a hamstring problem. While first-round rookie Chris Olave continues to climb the ranks and approach 2022 as New Orleans’ most likely No. 1 target. Malik Willis, right USATSI No one expects the third-round rookie to be a polished passer at this point in his career, so just seeing his electricity as a shaker and occasional sidearmer should be enough to entice Titans fans getting impatient with Ryan Tannehill under center. No, Willis isn’t going to take over at QB, but you can see, after his mobility and hand angles against the Buccaneers, why Tennessee stopped his draft day slump. Check the opt-in box to confirm you want to join.
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Loser: Cliff Kingsbury
Just kidding. Or are we? The Cardinals coach jokingly allowed QB Kyler Murray to experiment with play-calling this summer since Murray struggled to run the offense. But once Murray took over late in Arizona’s preseason loss to the Ravens, the Cards’ offense was arguably more efficient, even threatening a comeback on a touchdown pick by backup Trace McSorley. Now let’s see if Kliff delivers when it matters.
Winner: Isaiah Likely
Isaiah Possibly USATSI Looking for a sleeper who is likely to have a bigger impact on the Ravens offense this year than expected? A guy likely to warrant some red zone targets from Lamar Jackson? And maybe even Likely to share snaps with Mark Andrews? We can’t get enough Likely after the rookie fourth-rounder went off with eight catches for 100 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals, consistently finding or creating space against Arizona’s defense.
