Winners
Steelers Fans - The Pickett to Pickens connection is still strong as ever, Dionte Johnson looks like he could emerge as a Top 15 Fantasy WR, and a Defense that is poised to compete for the title of best in the NFL.
DJ Moore - On his first touch as a Chicago Bear he took a WR screen 68 yards to the house! Good sign considering he was acquired in the trade for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Eli Ricks - UDFA CB out of Alabama. Ricks had 9 ToT, Pick 6, 2 PBUs and was all over the field. I can't think of a better way to prove to the coaching staff that you belong on the same field as Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith as rookies.
Losers
Anthony Richardson (AR15) - 7/12 67yards, 1 INT. First Drive ended in an INT and scone drive ended in a Turnover on Downs. It’s preseason week 1 and Ik it’s not a prediction that’s how his career is going to be but if you look at Bryce Young, Stenson Bennet, and CJ Strout, they all showed flashes of being able to slow the game down and make the right reads. AR15 was rushed, throwing off his back foot, and not trying to rely on his play making abilities (his legs).
Speaking of Bryce Young and CJ Strout their O-Lines are going to get them killed. It was hard to watch the Texans on Thursday bc CJ was everything but protected and the same goes for The Panthers on Saturday. It’s hard for a young QB to adjust to the speed of the NFL when there is no time to adjust.
All the players that have suffered from Injuries.. Joe Burrow and Jalen Ramsey missing the whole Preseason with lower leg injuries, Tim Patrick out for the year again, and KJ Hamler missing time with a “Mild Heart Irritation”. Just some examples.