Can NFL Preseason Week 1 Losers Turn it Around?

The NFL preseason is a time for evaluation, not for wins or losses that truly count. However, the games played during this period can still significantly impact a team’s chances of making the final roster. Several players who are vying for a spot on their respective teams’ rosters failed to impress in Week 1, and their chances of making up for it are still up in the air.

Tua Tagovailoa and the Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons had a disastrous preseason Week 1, losing 27-7 to the Denver Broncos. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa fumbled his second snap of the game and generally underwhelmed throughout the game. The Falcons are still without Michael Penix Jr. due to his ongoing knee rehab, making Tagovailoa the de facto QB1 in a pretty dismal quarterback competition.

Tagovailoa’s performance was far from impressive, with none of his five throws going more than 4 yards downfield. He posted a -0.442 EPA per dropback, the worst in the league last year was Cam Ward at -0.15. The Falcons have a lot of talent on their roster, including Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and a good offensive line, but their quarterback situation is a major concern.

The good news is that there is still plenty of time for the Falcons to turn things around. Roster cut day is still over two weeks away, and a good week of practice and a solid performance in Week 2 can make up for a rough outing in Week 1.

Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns, had a disappointing preseason Week 1. He went 6-for-11 for 79 yards and an interception, which was a major setback for his chances of becoming the Week 1 starter. Deshaun Watson, on the other hand, had a solid performance, going 11-for-15 for 126 yards and leading both of the team’s scoring drives.

Todd Monken, the Browns’ head coach, has maintained that he wants both Watson and Sanders to get a start this preseason, but Watson getting the first one is a boost for him. Sanders has his work cut out for him in a joint practice and preseason Week 2 matchup with the Bills, and time is beginning to run short to be the Week 1 starter.

Cam Ward’s Numbers Were Rough

Cam Ward, the quarterback of the Tennessee Titans, had a rough preseason Week 1. He went 5-for-12 for 57 yards, translating to a rough 4.8 yards per attempt. 56 of his 57 yards came via YAC, and he had a potential interception dropped. Ward was mostly tasked with getting the ball out quickly, but he still struggled with accuracy and pocket presence.

However, it’s worth noting that Ward showed positive signs down the stretch of last year, and he still has a chance to bounce back in Week 2. The Titans produced a 95-yard touchdown drive on their opening series, but their second series was derailed by an intentional grounding penalty.

Mike LaFleur and the Arizona Cardinals

Mike LaFleur, the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, had a tough preseason Week 1. He gave Jeremiyah Love 14 touches, the last of which resulted in a high ankle sprain that will likely keep him out for the rest of the preseason. The Cardinals also lost second-round pick Chase Bisontis (knee) for the entire season, had third-round pick Carson Beck (ribs) sitting out, and had already lost fourth-round pick Kaleb Proctor (knee) for the season.

LaFleur had his reasons for giving Love a heavy workload, but they frankly weren’t good enough. Now a first-time head coach, entering what is already expected to be a very difficult season, is dealing with an injury to a top player that never should have happened.

Quinn Ewers

Quinn Ewers, the quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, had a tough preseason Week 1. He went 1-for-8 for 27 yards with an interception and a sack. Yes, that’s one completion on eight attempts. Ewers was the victim of multiple drops and also had miscommunications, but this isn’t what you want to see.

Ewers was once a prized recruit and the face of one of the nation’s premier college football programs (Texas) who won multiple CFP games, but now he’s a backup without much hope to be more than that with the Dolphins. The 2025 second-round pick got three starts at the end of last year, but with a new regime moving in from Green Bay, he quickly, predictably reverted to backup status when Malik Willis arrived.