2025 NFL preseason, Week 3: What We Learned from Friday's games

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Michael Baca's takeaways:

1. Eagles kick tires on newest wide receiver. John Metchie III saw a solid amount of playing time just five days after his arrival from Houston. The former second-round pick hauled in a 14-yard pass on Philadelphia's first play from scrimmage, fending off a Jets defender at the end of comeback route near the sideline. Metchie was targeted again soon after on a similar route, but Kyle McCord’s pass would’ve been too high for most receivers. The Eagles lined up Metchie on the outside and in the slot across 17 total snaps, putting him in motion a couple times to try to create more opportunity, but his debut ended with the one grab on two targets. Philly is largely set at receiver but an issue of depth was raised following a season-ending injury to Johnny Wilson. Metchie portends to fill that void and the Eagles got a good look at their trade acquisition with the season opener less than two weeks away. 
2. Jets rookie safety makes noise in finale. New York struggled to get anything going offensively with Justin Fields watching from the sidelines, but the club’s fourth-round pick, Malachi Moore, offered plenty of excitement on defense. Moore’s outing was highlighted with an impressive over-the-shoulder interception in the opening quarter on a wayward pass, but the Alabama product showed he was more than someone who could adjust to the ball well. Moore led the second-team unit with six total tackles in the first half, one of which coming for a big loss where the rookie showed good instincts identifying the run and another on special teams. He also added a pass break-up to his standout night. While the back end of Aaron Glenn’s defense is settled with Tony Adams and Andre Cisco, there’s a backup rookie that appears ready for opportunity’s knock.

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• READ: No. 1 pick Ward leads Titans on TD drive in last preseason series

Grant Gordon's takeaways:

1. Jefferson bounces back; rookie continues to impress. The Titans wide receiver corps is an area of concern, but there were some positive developments Friday, namely a nice performance from Van Jefferson and the continued maturation of rookie Elic Ayomanor . Quarterback Cam Ward’s best preseason pass likely came a week earlier against the Atlanta Falcons, and it was dropped by Jefferson. Against the Vikings, Jefferson hauled in a nice 17-yard ball along the sideline from Ward. Then he caught two more balls from backup Brandon Allen, including a 65-yard touchdown to put together a rare 100-yard night in a preseason game. Ayomanor caught three balls for 25 yards -- two from Ward -- and could potentially emerge as Ward’s No. 2 threat behind Calvin Ridley. Ward’s going to need all the help he can get from the skill positions and Friday was a baby step in the right direction.
2. Versatile Scott might’ve earned roster spot. The 26-year-old Zavier Scott signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad in 2023 and has yet to see an official NFL snap. Perhaps this is his year. He put his best feet forward Friday, with his 6-foot-1, 219-pound frame carrying him to 28 yards on five carries, though most came on a nice 23-yard gain. He added a 6-yard reception and a 29-yard kick return. Scott could nudge Ty Chandler as the team’s No. 3 RB behind Aaron Jones or Jordan Mason, but most optimistically profiles as a do-whatever-the-heck-you-need-coach option. On a night in which nary a notable Viking played, standouts weren’t prevalent, but those vying for roster spots ahead of Tuesday’s cutdown day were. Scott looks like somebody who should make the 53.

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Michael Baca's takeaways:

1. Milton ends preseason on high note. Cowboys backup quarterback Joe Milton III concluded his well-publicized August run by leading four scoring drives to earn Dallas its first preseason win and likely cement his role as the primary backup after a rough going in his previous two starts. Going up against Atlanta's second-team defense and aided by a fruitful ground game, Milton was extra mindful going through his reads and didn’t force the issue by virtue of his rocket arm, ending his preseason without any interceptions for the first time in three games. He also was effective with his legs, gaining 33 yards on scrambles and scoring the game’s opening touchdown on a play-action boot from the 1-yard line. Completing 10 of 18 passes for 132 yards, Milton finished his night with a nice touch pass to Jalen Brooks for a 29-yard score on the second half’s opening drive. Though it came against a collection of defenders fighting for a roster spot, Milton finishing on a high note should bode well for the backup’s confidence after a shaky summer and prevent any internal panic for the front office that traded for the 25-year-old this offseason.
2. Atlanta’s kicking competition comes to a close. With the Falcons electing to sit all starters in the preseason finale, the final numbers of the club’s competition at kicker figures to be one of the final decisions of rounding out the roster. Younghoe Koo, the incumbent booter, attempted all the field goals on Friday, missing his first attempt from 51 yards out but followed that up with 38- and 28-yard makes. He also made his only extra-point attempt of the night. That brings Koo’s preseason totals to 4 of 5 on FG attempts and a perfect conversion rate on PATs (3 of 3). Lenny Krieg, the German-born rookie signed this offseason, made waves with a 57-yarder three weeks ago but it stands as his only make in two attempts (1 of 1 on PATs). There was an imbalance of kicks in preseason play but surely there was more comparison to be had throughout training camp. Should Koo survive the cutdown to 53, the Falcons will almost certainly keep their International Pathway Player on the practice squad.

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Grant Gordon's takeaways:

1. Caleb and Co. struggle early, finish strong. A week prior, Caleb Williams and Chicago’s offensive starters revved up excitement for the upcoming season when they zoomed down the field for a touchdown on the opening drive of a 38-0 win over the Bills. This wasn’t last week. At times, Williams looked uncomfortable and held the ball too long in his second showing in Ben Johnson’s offense. The 2024 NFL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick fumbled on the first play, a botched sweep. A false start followed. There was a sack on the second drive and after two series, the Bears had one first down, two punts and no points against the Chiefs starters, while Kansas City’s offense had produced a 10-0 lead. Fortunately, Williams and his squad bounced back, driving for a field goal and then a touchdown with Williams (11 of 15 for 113 yards) finding Rome Odunze for a 37-yard gain and then a 3-yard TD on the ensuing play. Rarely did the starters look smooth and perhaps it portends some struggles early on as the Bears continue to grasp Johnson’s offense. They weren’t crisp, but they did get it together before the half. It’s something to build on.
2. Mahomes, Chiefs starters overcome stumbles in three fruitful drives. Ultimately, Andy Reid got what he wanted out of Patrick Mahomes and his offensive starters in their dress rehearsal before they open the 2025 season in Brazil. Mahomes completed 8 of 13 passes for 143 yards, including a beauty of a deep ball to Tyquan Thornton for a 58-yard gain, and a 4-yard touchdown to Rashee Rice. Mahomes even mixed in an 18-yard scramble that was a frightening preseason moment until he slid. Isiah Pacheco, who was sidelined most of last year with a fractured fibula, was back to his hard-charging self with 21 yards and a TD on three carries, with a rumble into the stadium wall evidence of his old self once it was clear he was unharmed. There were problems, too, though; namely three drops, with one by Travis Kelce and another by Kareem Hunt in the end zone after a daring Mahomes scramble. Still, it was 17 points in three drives for the Chiefs starters with Mahomes looking particularly impressive as Kansas City is now off to the regular season aiming for a fourth straight AFC championship.