The NFL preseason is underway as the league staged a pair of exhibition openers on Thursday night. The New York Giants were hosted by the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, and the Baltimore Ravens hosted the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium.
While the Patriots sat their starters, the Giants featured two first-round picks, Kayvon Thibodeaux and offensive tackle Evan Neal, in the preseason opener. In Baltimore, the Ravens attempted to keep their preseason streak alive against the Titans and delivered a 21st consecutive win, despite not playing most of their starters.
Preseason Week 1 winners and losers, Thursday edition
As with any preseason, there are several jobs on the line throughout the league. The Ravens, Titans, Giants, and Patriots are still figuring out their rosters, and there were various winners and losers in each of the preseason matchups on Thursday.
Winner: Ravens QB Tyler Huntley
While Tyler Huntley isn’t competing for a starting job this preseason, he has continued to shine when called upon. Huntley started the preseason opener and stacked up an impressive stat line against the Titans, completing 16 of 18 passes (88.9%) for 109 yards and a touchdown. He also contributed 17 rushing yards on three carries.
Huntley is waiting for his opportunity as Lamar Jackson continues to carry the QB baton for Baltimore. That said, if he continues to thrive when given the opportunity, he could receive some trade interest if a team loses its starter between now and the trade deadline. He could also cash in on a free-agent deal down the road.
Loser: Giants WR Kenny Golladay
Despite playing a couple of series, Kenny Golladay did nothing of note against the Patriots’ backups. He dropped a pass from Daniel Jones on a crosser, and the pair also failed to connect on a red zone pass. The wideout finished with one catch on three targets for six yards.
Golladay’s chemistry with Jones — or lack thereof — has been a significant storyline through back-to-back offseasons. After signing him to a massive contract last year, the Giants have little to show for their supposed No. 1 wideout.
Winner: Patriots WR Kristian Wilkerson
The Patriots’ projected sixth wideout made his case against the Giants. From the first quarter into the fourth, Kristian Wilkerson made big plays. He started off by making Giants starting cornerback Aaron Robinson look overmatched in coverage. He then took over the passing targets in the second half.
Wilkerson is competing with Tre Nixon for the final spot on the wideout depth chart. Nixon had a brutal drop on third down of the opening drive. However, Nixon came back with some big highlights, as he caught four passes for 81 yards. That said, Wilkerson finished the night with a better stat line of eight catches for 99 yards.
Loser: Titans QB Logan Woodside
With rookie QB Malik Willis starting the preseason opener against the Ravens, Logan Woodside drew the second-half workload. Woodside’s night got off to a rough start and unraveled from there, as he tossed an interception on his third pass of the game. He was picked off by cornerback Daryl Worley, who was just signed by the Ravens a few days ago due to several injuries in their secondary. On the next drive, Woodside was picked off again, this time by safety Geno Stone.
With Willis and Woodside competing for the No. 2 job behind Ryan Tannehill, the odds seem to be very much in the former’s favor. Willis wasn’t sensational in his debut — completing just 54.5% of his passes — but he did have a 48-yard completion and an impressive rushing touchdown on the night. Woodside finished 14 of 24 for 102 yards and two interceptions.
Winner: Ravens LB Malik Harrison
The former third-round pick created a turnover during the first half of the preseason opener against the Titans. Midway through the first quarter, Harrison forced a fumble on running back Julius Chestnut. First-round pick Kyle Hamilton was there to clean up with the recovery on the play.
Along with the forced fumble, Harrison also got a hit in on Willis early in the game and made a special teams stop. Harrison is competing for playing time behind starting linebackers Josh Bynes and Patrick Queen. Harrison might be able to push Bynes out of the starting lineup with a strong preseason.
Loser: Giants CB Aaron Robinson
Robinson, the Giants’ likely No. 2 cornerback, had a tough night. He was worked repeatedly by Wilkerson, the Patriots’ No. 6 receiver, during the first half and was flagged twice on the same touchdown-scoring drive.
Robinson was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and defensive holding on the series. The latter penalty didn’t end up being enforced because Patriots wideout Tyquan Thornton still scored a touchdown on him, despite the hold.
Robinson could be overtaken by Rodarius Williams if he struggles throughout the preseason.
Winner: Giants RB Antonio Williams
Buried behind Saquon Barkley, Matt Brieda, and Gary Brightwell on the depth chart, Williams needed a strong start to the preseason. Luckily for the running back, he was able to make the most of his opportunities in the second half against the Patriots.
Williams displayed impressive burst and power to start the third quarter. He moved the rock well, picking up 61 yards and a TD on nine carries against New England’s backups. If the Giants keep four running backs, Williams should have a very good shot at that final spot.
Loser: Patriots OT Justin Herron
Herron, the Patriots’ backup left tackle, had a pair of false starts on Thursday. While he wasn’t a disaster in protection, those two penalties won’t sit well with head coach Bill Belichick. Both penalties came on drives that ended with punts on fourth down a few plays after the flags.
Herron left the game in the fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury.
Winner: Ravens WR Shemar Bridges
Bridges, an undrafted rookie, was put on display against the Titans. With Huntley leading the offense, Bridges made the most of his reps, catching 4 of 5 targets for 62 yards and a touchdown. During the game, Bridges won a battle for a jump ball in the end zone for a score. He later caught a 38-yard pass from fellow undrafted rookie, QB Anthony Brown, on a downfield strike.
The Ravens have a questionable wideout depth chart heading into the thick of the preseason. Bridges, a 6-4 and 207-pound playmaker from Fort Valley State College, could surprise folks and land on the 53-man roster coming out of camp.