2025 NFL preseason, Week 1: What We Learned from Friday's tripleheader

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• READ: Browns rookie QB Sanders dazzles with two TDs in preseason debut

Grant Gordon's takeaways:

1. Browns rookie backer roams sideline to sideline: Eyes everywhere were on Browns fifth-round rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, but it was second-round rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger who was everywhere on the field. The UCLA product ran down the Panthers wherever they roamed, impressively gobbling up six tackles in just 12 snaps on Friday night. All but a lock to start at middle linebacker for the Browns, the 2025 NFL Draft’s No. 33 overall pick provided plenty of reason for optimism in a short outing.  
2. Young, McMillan whet appetite for Panthers production. Following a three-and-out to start Friday, Bryce Young and Carolina’s first-teamers put together some reason for excitement for the season ahead. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick led off the second drive with a pretty go ball to 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan for 30 yards. In a snapshot, it’s what Carolina is hoping to see for autumns to come. Young, who finished his two-drive outing 4 of 6 for 58 yards, found McMillan again for 13 yards to move the chains and on second-and-goal looked for him again. Young was pinpoint on the throw, but McMillan didn’t get his head around quick enough and the sure TD went off his hands. On the ensuing play, Young scrambled and waved Jalen Coker open for a 5-yard score. The precision exemplified on the Young-led second drive, a nine-play, 73-yard march, was exactly what the Panthers offense is hoping to look like when the games count in the standings. It showcased the potential of McMillan and the ascending, confident version of Young. 

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• READ: Lions-Falcons preseason game suspended following injury to safety Morice Norris

Christian Gonzales' takeaways:

1. Allen steps ahead of Hooker in QB2 battle. After veteran quarterback Kyle Allen started the Hall of Fame Game, the Lions gave third-year backup Hendon Hooker an opportunity to prove he’s worthy of the backup job behind Jared Goff. Hooker’s start in Atlanta got off to a bumpy start. On the Lions’ first drive, Hooker tried to scramble out of the pocket but was met by multiple Falcons and fumbled. His next two drives for Detroit resulted in punts. In Hooker’s final drive, he found his receivers for short passes, but on his final play he was sacked by Arnold Ebiketie for another fumble. After Hooker’s second turnover, Allen quickly delivered a deep pass to Jackson Meeks for a 68-yard completion. Allen finished the drive finding preseason darling Isaac TeSlaa for an 11-yard touchdown. The second preseason game showed that Allen might be climbing Detroit’s depth chart soon with Hooker struggling to protect the football. 
2. Krieg auditions for kicking job. The kicking competition in Atlanta is heating up between Younghoe Koo and Lenny Krieg. With Koo missing nine field goals in 2024, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris brought in Krieg to compete with Koo. Krieg, who played for the European Football League's Stuttgart Surge for the last two seasons, made 19 of 26 field goal attempts, including a career-best 52-yard FG in the EFL. In Friday’s preseason game, Krieg proved that he has the strength to kick in the NFL. As Koo watched in street clothes from the sidelines, Krieg smoothly executed a 57-yard FG in the first quarter. In the second half, Krieg was tasked to knock down another field goal from 53 yards out. Unfortunately, he missed wide left. Krieg finished Friday night going 1 for 1 in extra-point attempts and 1 for 2 in FGs.

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Grant Gordon's takeaways:

1. Good to meet you, Mr. Henderson. In a blur, TreVeyon Henderson began a new era in Patriots football with a 100-yard highlight to remember. On the opening kickoff, the 2025 second-round pick took the ball on the goal line and sprinted left through a gaping lane, ran through an arm tackle, steered right, barely bristled at another arm-tackle attempt and sprinted to six for a 100-yard kickoff return score. Of course it’s the preseason, but Henderson exhibited his game-breaking ability as quickly as humanly possible. It also kicked off a dominant preseason performance for the Pats and an eye-opening one for Henderson, who also broke off an 18-yard run. In what’s been the brightest highlight so far in an infant preseason, Pats fans are no doubt hoping it’s the first of many to come for Mr. Henderson and New England. 
2. Amos stands out on ugly night for Commanders. The large majority of Washington’s starters didn’t see the field, but rookie second-round cornerback Trey Amos did and he came away as a bright spot on an otherwise dreary night for the Commanders. Amos played nary 13 snaps, but he was staunch in the running game and a blanket in coverage. He was targeted just once, gave up no receptions, made two tackles and a run stuff. Overall, Friday might serve as a concern for the Commanders’ depth as they were shellacked in all three phases of football. It’s Week 1 of the preseason, though, so there’s plenty of room for improvement and excitement to build for Amos.