2025 NFL preseason, Week 1: What We Learned from Sunday's doubleheader

FULL BOX SCORE

Michael Baca's takeaways:

1. All three Dolphins quarterbacks see action. Appearing for the first time in the preseason since the 2021 season, Tua Tagovailoa completed all but one of his six pass attempts for 27 yards and converted a fourth-and-3 with a throw on the outside to lead the Dolphins into the red zone a 15-play drive. While Miami's rushing attack couldn't punch in the scoring opportunity, the Dolphins offensive line left the quarterback virtually untouched in his lone series. Zach Wilson was sacked four times, however, making it a hectic Dolphins debut but the QB did lead consecutive TD drives. Rookie Quinn Ewers ended the preseason opener with a rough outing, completing just 5-of-18 passes for 92 yards and losing a fumble on a strip sack that positioned the Bears for an easy score in the third quart and gave up another one late in the fourth. Running back Ollie Gordon II led the team in rushing (33 yards) and nearly did so receiving as well (39 yards).
2. Bears getting acclimated to new systems. The introduction of Ben Johnson's offense got off to a slow start with Tyson Bagent at the helm, but after going three-and-out on their first two series came a nice 16-play, 94-yard drive that ended with a Maurice Alexander touchdown reception. Rookies Colston Loveland (8-yard reception) and Luther Burden III (two catches, 29 yards) saw their first NFL touches along the way, but poor protection for Bagent (sacked twice; interception off tipped ball) left plenty to be desired from new head coach's first impression. Defensively, however, Dennis Allen's unit enjoyed a sack party and second-year pass rusher Austin Booker led the charge with three sacks and a forced fumble that led to Chicago's first lead. Collecting six total sacks, two fumbles and two turnovers on downs, the Bears defense also brought the most meaningful moment of the game, holding Miami's best-available offense out of the end zone on their first series. Third-year linebacker Noah Sewell forced the turnover on downs with a big tackle for a three-yard loss on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. The younger brother of Penei Sewell, Noah finished with six tackles and forced a fumble in what was an impactful preseason debut.

FULL BOX SCORE

• READ: Saints HC Moore on Shough's debut: 'I thought he did a great job'

Christian Gonzales' takeaways:

1. Chargers’ defensive depth haunts Saints. The Chargers defense did everything it could to bother whoever was under center for New Orleans. The Saints offense with Spencer Rattler got in Chargers territory early in the game. On a fourth-and-1 at the Chargers 1-yard line, it was linebacker Troy Dye that refused to let Kendre Miller in the end zone. Veteran safety Tony Jefferson continued his high-performance level in front of Charger fans. In 16 snaps, Jefferson recorded two tackles and a sack on Rattler in the team’s first two series. Caleb Murphy also joined the Chargers' defensive party and the Saint's O-line couldn’t contain him as the third-year linebacker sacked Rattler twice and forced a fumble turnover. In the second half, Saints QB Tyler Shough threw a pass intended for Dante Pettis, but rookie Eric Rogers intercepted it and returned it for 43 yards for a pick-six. Rogers' day wasn't done. When Jake Haener went in for his first drive in the fourth quarter, Rogers once again got another interception. It was a dominant performance by Jim Harbaugh’s second-string defense against some of the Saints' starters.
2. Saints WR shows off speed. The Saints offense found some rhythm in the second half of Sunday’s preseason game against the Chargers. With the Saints trailing 17-3 in the third quarter, rookie quarterback Tyler Shough was given the green light to take a deep shot. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire gave Shough the protection he needed on a blitz to deliver the 54-yard touchdown pass to Mason Tipton. Tipton did a terrific job to fake the Bolts defender on the route. Tipton showed his speed as he reached a max speed of 18.53 mph, according to Next Gen Stats.