Just like that, we are one step closer to the NFL season. As everyone knows, preseason is a time for blatant overreactions based off of some random players dominating against opponents' 2nd and 3rd string players. Today, we will be looking at some of the biggest surprises and takeaways from this year's preseason.
1. This Daniel Jones guy might be good
Since April, the Giants have been clowned repeatedly for taking Duke quarterback Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick of the draft. Jones, who has given the nickname 'Danny Dimes', has been on fire this preseason. He finished the four games with a stat line of 29 completions off 34 pass attempts, 416 yards, two touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and a passer rating of 137.3. Those are insanely good numbers. For now, it is looking like Giants GM Dave Gettleman will get to do the clowning.
2. The Patriots receiving corps look scarily good
Coming into the season, it looked as if though the Pats receiving corps would be among the weakest in the league. At the time, Josh Gordon was suspended, Demaryius Thomas was injured, and Rob Gronkowski had retired. While Gronk remains retired, Gordon was re-instated, and DT looked like a machine on Thursday night, catching 7 passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, training camp standout Jakobi Meyers continued his excellence in preseason, and will add to Tom Brady's arsenal.
3. Kickers should just avoid the Vikings
Ever since Blair Walsh hooked a 27 game winning yard field goal to the left in the 2015 NFC Wild Card game, the Vikings have had a sort of kicking curse. First, they cut Walsh after an abysmal 2016 season where he lost the Vikings many games. Then, they cut Daniel Carlson after just two games last year. Next, they signed Dan Bailey, who was then the most accurate kicker in history. He proceeded to miss 6 field goals and an extra point. Finally, they traded a 5th round pick for Ravens rookie Kaare Vedvik, who then missed 3 field goals during this preseason. In other kicker news, the Jets are looking for a kicker after Chandler Catanazaro retired, and the Falcons seem to have a problem of their own after cutting Matt Bryant.
4. Holdouts, holdouts, and more holdouts!
This preseason resulted in the continuation of superstar holdouts. Ezekiel Elliot's absence only got worse, and Cowboys GM Jerry Jones made multiple comments suggesting that he expects Zeke to come back later rather than sooner. Zeke declined a contract that would make him the second highest paid RB in the league. Melvin Gordon and Trent Williams continued their hold outs and did not meet with the team. Finally, the Texans gave up on Jadeveon Clowney's holdout, and shipped him to the Seahawks in return for a third round pick, Barkevious Mingo, and Jacob Martin. Terrible trade for the Texans, who at least could have tried to get an offensive lineman. Maybe having a general manager would help.
5. The Jaguars aren't going to win a playoff game this year
Every team to score less than 43 points over the course of one NFL preseason has not won a playoff game that season. The Jags scored 29 points over the four games they played, meaning they are 100% guaranteed to not win the Super Bowl. All jokes aside, the Jags actually have a good shot at the playoffs. With the Colts out of the picture after Andrew Luck's retirement, and the Texans trading Clowney and losing Lamar Miller to injury, Nick Foles and company could make a playoff push.
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