The agony continues for fans of the NFL as the preseason drags on. With football still weeks away, only the preseason slate can bring fans the satisfaction they crave while waiting for their favorite game. Things are shaping up for an interesting year in the NFC East, and Week 2 of the preseason should be an excellent preview for things to come.
Fresh off a defeat of the New England Patriots, the Washington Redskins must find a way to create an even close to capable defensive unit. Going up against the Cleveland Browns, the team will have to succeed here as struggling against this team in limbo would be a sure sign that Washington’s defensive unit is headed for disaster.
On the other side of the ball, minor injuries to both Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson have fans worried, while Kirk Cousins remains lurking behind Robert Griffin III. The Redskins will have to ensure their receivers are healthy, and that they have the right man under center against the Browns. Fans of Washington should watch to see how Jay Gruden’s offense is being grasped by Griffin III and his teammates, in addition to who will see the lion’s share of carries behind Alfred Morris in the running game.
The Dallas Cowboys have had one nightmare of a preseason with more injuries than they had wins last season, or so it seems. Tony Romo is getting close to a return, but will it be against the Ravens on Saturday? Baltimore’s defense, though not what it once was in the Ray Lewis days, is still a force to be reckoned with and will provide a nice test to see how Terrance Williams and the other non-household names in the Dallas’ receiving corps will fare against actual competition.
Unfortunately the team will be without cornerback Orlando Scandrick who has been suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2014 season for violating the league’s policy on substance abuse. Scandrick was pegged Dallas’ slot-corner, so a unit already devastated by injury lost an additional piece.
The Philadelphia Eagles fell in a close one in Chicago, but will look to bounce back against the Patriots on Friday in New England. Questions surrounding the offenses’ fluidity with Allen Barbre instead of Lane Johnson will be addressed, in addition to the team’s hope that rookie Jordan Matthews will bounce back after a shaking game in Chicago. Another player due for a re-invigorated performance will be quarterback Nick Foles, who threw as many interceptions in the first quarter in Chicago as he did all season in 2013.
On the defensive side of the ball, Nate Allen has pulled ahead of Earl Wolff in the battle to start at safety opposite Malcolm Jenkins, but will he remain ahead? Tom Brady and a plethora of talented Patriots’ wideouts are a more than capable test for Philadelphia. Finally, the roles of Brandon Graham and Marcus Smith will be more defined, in addition to solving the battle at nose tackle between Bennie Logan, and seventh round pick Beau Allen.
The last team addressed here is also the one with the most uncertainty. Who will start at running back for the Giants? Either Andre Williams or Rashad Jennings must show up against the Colts on Saturday, though Tom Coughlin does frequently employ systems with two rushers. This battle should be fun to watch, as Indianapolis has an absolutely putrid run defense. Another offensive inquiry will be about the usability of Odell Beckham who has missed much of training camp due to a hamstring injury. This game will be the third look at Ben McAdoo’s system, and will provide the most insight as to its effectiveness compared to anything we have seen thus far.