Rookie Quarterbacks Make Debuts

Rookie Quarterbacks Make Debuts

Over the weekend, the top rookie quarterbacks made their NFL preseason debuts, and the results were largely positive. Mac Jones got things rolling on Thursday night with a strong outing for the Patriots. On Saturday, Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, and Justin Fields all got their turn to get under center.

Updated NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds show that Lawrence is still the favorite at +300. Fields is now second at +650, with Lance at +700. Running back Najee Harris (+800) and tight end Kyle Pitts (+900) are both ahead of Wilson and Jones at +1000.

Wilson Leads Jets Against Giants

One of the last first-round draft picks to sign, Zach Wilson made his preseason debut Saturday night against the New York Giants. Wilson didn’t lead the Jets offense to any touchdowns in his quarter of action but was efficient overall. Wilson completed 6-of-9 passes for 63 yards, including first-down conversions to Corey Davis and Keelan Cole.

The second-overall pick moved the Jets’ offense down the field with confidence and pace. The Jets won the game 12-7 and are next in action at Green Bay on Saturday. The Jets are +4.5 at Carolina in Week 1 of the regular season.

Lawrence Has Ups and Downs for Jags

Saturday was not only the debut for number one overall pick Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville but also for his head coach Urban Meyer. Lawrence started and played the first quarter as the Jags lost at home to the Cleveland Browns 23-13.

Lawrence was sacked twice and fumbled, though he did recover the ball himself. He finished 6-for-9 for 71 yards and picked up a first down on a sideline pass to Marvin Jones. Lawrence and Jones also teamed up for a 35-yard pass on third down later in the first quarter.

The Jags hit the road this week and play their second preseason game at New Orleans on Sunday. Jacksonville is -3 at NFC South rival Houston in Week 1.

Fields Eventually Gets Bears Going

After a rough start, Justin Fields turned in a very solid third quarter for the Chicago Bears in a 20-13 win over the Miami Dolphins on Saturday. The former Ohio State quarterback was wildly erratic on his first two drives, with the Bears forced to punt both times. He also fumbled after a scramble, but the ball went out of bounds, and the Bears punted again.

Fields got it going in the two-minute drill to end the first half with a 53-yard Cairo Santos field goal. He showed off the skills after the halftime break, torching the Dolphins with both his legs and arm. Fields ran for an 8-yard score after completing a 25-yard pass to Rodney Adams and later threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jesse James.

Fields went 14-for-20 for 142 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 33 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Matt Nagy insists that Andy Dalton is still the starter, and Field is listed at +190 to be the Bears game one starter. Chicago is +7 at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.

Trey Lance Goes Deep for 49ers

Trey Lance had to wait his turn on Saturday with incumbent Jimmy Garoppolo starting against the Kansas City Chiefs. The former North Dakota State quarterback took over for the second drive, took a sack, and went 3-and-out with a 49ers punt.

But the net drive was just what the 49ers faithful came to see. Lance stepped up in the pocket and hit Trent Sherfield down the sideline for an 80-yard touchdown pass and run.

The third-overall pick played into the third quarter and finished the game with 128 yards on 5-of-14 passing while being sacked four times. Lance is +250 to start the 49ers opener with the team -7.5 at Detroit in Week 1.

 

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