{"id":622508,"date":"2025-08-19T13:30:59","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T12:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=622508"},"modified":"2025-08-19T13:31:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T12:31:01","slug":"nfl-2025-26-preseason-week-2-takeaways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/nfl-2025-26-preseason-week-2-takeaways\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL 2025\u201326 Preseason Week 2 Takeaways \u2013 Flacco Named Starter, Bears Trounce Bills, Questions in Indy\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the Bengals defeating the Commanders on Monday night, the curtain came down on week 2 of the preseason games. As we inch closer and closer to the start of the regular season, teams are getting a better idea of what their final 53-man roster would look like. <\/p>

There is still one round of preseason<\/a> action left where fringe players can make their cases. But, by now, it is safe to say that most of the teams will have finalized all but a few spots on their rosters. Up until now, most of the starters have seen only limited playing time, but week 3 may see them take the field for an extended period. <\/p>

Key Takeaways From Preseason Week 2<\/h2>

Preseason week 2 brought us some fascinating moments, and various players took the opportunities presented to them to impress. Some teams, like the Bears, balled out in their win over the Bills, while others, like the Chiefs, still don’t look up to speed. Here are the key takeaways from week 2.  <\/p>

Young Defenders Showing Promise for the Falcons<\/h3>

The Atlanta Falcons were one of the struggling teams on defense last season. However, the upcoming season could be different, especially if they continue to get quality play from their rookies, Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr., and safety Xavier Watts.<\/p>

Although Walker did not play in the game against the Titans, Pearce was a force on the field. The linebacker came away with 3 quarterback pressures and 4 tackles. He was also at the heart of the play, which forced an interception from Brandon Allen. Watts’s performance in the secondary was also noteworthy as he fights for a spot alongside Jesse Bates III for the starting spot. <\/p>

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Watch James Pearce Jr. on the outside #Falcons<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/zZjhIHOblm<\/a><\/p>— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) August 16, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>