{"id":33683,"date":"2025-08-18T19:29:50","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T19:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/nfl-pre-season-results-review-ashton-jeanty-caleb-williams-jaxson-dart\/"},"modified":"2025-08-18T19:29:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T19:29:51","slug":"nfl-pre-season-results-review-ashton-jeanty-caleb-williams-jaxson-dart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/nfl-pre-season-results-review-ashton-jeanty-caleb-williams-jaxson-dart\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL pre-season results & review: Ashton Jeanty, Caleb Williams & Jaxson Dart"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Ashton Jeanty was a real handful for the Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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Paul Higham<\/p>\n

BBC Sport journalist<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The second week of pre-season in the NFL means a few more plays from the sport’s biggest stars and more reps for our budding rookie sensations under the bright lights of the big league.<\/b><\/p>\n

We had a few more clues as to which teams might thrive in the coming campaign and who may struggle, and glimpses of who the star performers will be.<\/p>\n

Here’s what caught our eye this week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Raiders rookie Jeanty looks real deal<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Ashton Jeanty took two tacklers with him during a bruising run<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty could be a big problem for opposing defences this season judging by his bruising cameo for the Las Vegas Raiders against the San Francisco 49ers.<\/p>\n

The sixth overall pick of the draft left the field after taking a big hit, but returned to score a touchdown and showcase his talent with a brutal 13-yard rush that saw him flatten two would-be tacklers.<\/p>\n

Jeanty’s physical style is similar to former Raiders rusher Marshawn Lynch, and had his quarterback Geno Smith beaming: “He’s going to be a special player.”<\/p>\n

Head coach Pete Carroll had Lynch while in Seattle, and had some typically forthright praise for the rookie, saying: “Jeanty looked tough as hell.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Dart hype builds in New York<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Jaxson Dart is becoming the talk of pre-season with another eye-catching outing for the New York Giants’ rookie quarterback.<\/p>\n

Dart replaced veteran Russell Wilson mid-drive and went on to score a passing and rushing touchdown against the New York Jets to continue the Giants’ impressive pre-season.<\/p>\n

Even more impressive is the Giants’ offence clicking without star receiver Malik Nabers, who will likely miss all three pre-season games with a back injury.<\/p>\n

But Dart is the big story – drafted as the long-term franchise quarterback, another display like this will have many wondering if his time will come much sooner than expected.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Top pick Ward shows glimpses of ability<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Cam Ward completed five of eight passes as the Titans lost 29-7 to Tampa Bay last week<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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Number one overall pick Cam Ward only completed two of his seven passes for 42 yards, but showed much more promise than the stat line suggests.<\/p>\n

He had a nice 35-yard completion on the run and also produced possibly the best throw by any rookie quarterback this pre-season – only to see it dropped by receiver Van Jefferson.<\/p>\n

Ward missed a couple of throws, but pre-season is all about showing promise and that one throw alone to Jefferson gave Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan confidence his guy can make an impact in the NFL.<\/p>\n

“I’m very encouraged,” said Callahan of Ward. “That ball that was dropped was an incredible throw. He’s shown all the things we need to see from an operations standpoint.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Williams looks sharp in Bears shutout<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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It was only against the Buffalo Bills back-ups, but Caleb Williams looked great in his first pre-season action for the Chicago Bears – who enjoyed a 38-0 shutout victory.<\/p>\n

Williams was clinical from the start, when he led a 97-yard touchdown drive with a perfect quarterback rating of 158.3.<\/p>\n

The Bears failed to score a single touchdown on their opening possession last season, so the 2024 number one overall pick has already broken new ground to start his second year in the NFL.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Gabriel gets his shot with Sanders injured<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Cleveland drafted Dillon Gabriel with the 94th overall pick, then Shedeur Sanders with the 144th<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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The Cleveland Browns quarterback situation is fascinating, with Shedeur Sanders enjoying a fine debut<\/a> last week but out injured this week – giving fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel his chance in the spotlight.<\/p>\n

Gabriel had a mixed performance, completing 13 passes for 143 yards but also throwing a pick six and losing a fumble.<\/p>\n

The third-round draft pick was efficient early on, but struggled when forced off script, leaving head coach Kevin Stefanski with more questions than answers.<\/p>\n

Stefanski will make his quarterback decision before next week’s final pre-season outing, with veteran Joe Flacco set to start but a big choice to be made on his back-up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NFL pre-season notebook<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Travis Hunter<\/b> missed the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 17-17 tie at the New Orleans Saints with what the team says is an upper body injury.<\/p>\n

Hunter was due to step up his work on defence as he looks to play on both sides of the ball this season, so missing the game will be a setback.<\/p>\n

The Dallas Cowboys could be in the hunt for a new back-up quarterback to Dak Prescott after two muddling displays by Joe Milton.<\/b><\/p>\n

Dallas hoped Milton could show more as they’re not keen on their other option Will Grier, so they may have to dip into the market for another back-up.<\/p>\n

One back-up who can play is Denver’s Jarrett Stidham<\/b>, who threw another two touchdowns to continue the Broncos’ impressive pre-season.<\/p>\n

Sean Payton has assembled a deep roster with Stidham looking a solid back-up to Bo Nix, with 376 yards and four touchdowns in just over three quarters this pre-season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NFL pre-season – week two results<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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