NFL 2015 preseason Week 3: Cardinals, Raiders cap last big weekend before openers

That might be changing.

Palmer struggled behind his sieve-like offensive line, completing just 8 of 22 passes for 103 yards and the two interceptions.

While kids interviewing professional athletes is often a good idea, the execution typically follows the same formula. The credentialed kid usually asks kid stuff. You know, things like “what’s your favorite color?” or ‘what’s your favorite meal?”

Well, this Sunday Night Football video follows that same pattern but cleverly switches it up. 10-year old interviewer Isabella begins by asking NFL players what superpower they would have, but without any hesitation, she instantly switches to more analytical questions regarding the game.

On defense, they did allow that big pass to Hopkins and there was another big play that looked an awful lot like a Hoyer touchdown pass but was ultimately called back by the officials as an incomplete pass. Here’s the one that WAS complete:

Things aren’t going swimmingly for Washington, and the NFL regular season hasn’t even begun yet. Their starting quarterback is dealing with a concussion, the franchise is looking to move away from the RGIII era, and Kirk Cousins is touching himself too much.

The Washingtonian turmoil is fit for a reality show. It’s too bad that they didn’t do this season of Hard Knocks.

Much of the focus this week in New Orleans has been the events commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina tragedy, so there is sure be a lot of emotion surrounding this game even if it is just a “meaningless” preseason game. And the fact that the Hard Knocks production crew will be documenting the whole thing with the Texans in town makes this a really interesting matchup for a lot of reasons.

The nightcap between the Cardinals and Raiders might not have the mega storylines of the afternoon game, but it’s still worth watching with plenty of position battles to be sorted out and exciting rookies on display for both teams. Plus, could this be the final preseason game ever played in Oakland? The Silver and Black conclude their exhibition schedule on the road next week in Seattle, so you never know.

Cassel came into the game after Manuel in the first quarter and also got two drives under center. The Bills didn’t manage to put more points on the board with Cassel in, though. He completed 6 of 7 passes, but only for 38 yards. He also took a sack for a loss of 1 yard, but did not throw an interception.

Next was Taylor, who closed out the first half and stayed in the game into the second. Taylor played incredibly well, completing 12 of 13 passes for 122 yards, with one carry that went for 20 yards and a touchdown. He got the biggest look of any of the quarterbacks ... until Manuel went back in the game.

Dalton, 27, took a number of hits on Cincinnati’s opening touchdown drive. He reached the end zone on a one-yard dive that capped off a 16-play drive, and completed all six passes that he threw for 52 yards. Backup Bengals QB A.J. McCarron took over for Dalton, and has gone 11-of-15 for 138 yards and a touchdown through the first three quarters of the contest. The Bengals are leading the Bears 21-3.

The Bengals inked Dalton to a six-year, $115 million contract extension with a $12 million signing bonus. But the contract isn’t as lucrative as it appears on the surface, as Cincinnati can release him after the 2015 season without any significant salary cap consequences.

Reggie Bush’s hurdles are still in preseason mode. It’s okay, because in a few weeks he’ll clear defenders -- but for now, ouch.

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A brawl erupted between the Baltimore Ravens and Washington when linebacker Keenan Robinson picked up receiver Kamar Aiken and drove him into the ground head-first in a bush league tackle that could have seriously injured the receiver. Robinson’s tackle was completely uncalled for. He already had the receiver wrapped up, and there was no need to drive his head into the ground, especially during preseason.

It’s rare that a fight in the NFL can be justified, but this was justifiable. The tackle was disgusting, and the Ravens were right to step in.

The 49ers endured one of the more tumultuous and bizarre offseasons in recent memory, but some positive highlights have emerged during training camp and the first two preseason games.

The biggest news out of Denver this week was the signing of guard Evan Mathis, a move that should pay huge and immediate dividends for the Broncos’ offense. Before adding the two-time Pro Bowler, the Broncos were projected to have three first-time starters on the left side of the offensive line to protect the 39-year-old Peyton Manning. Mathis was the league’s top-rated guard from 2011-13 and ranked second last year, according to Pro Football Focus‘ grades. He is not expected to play in either of the Broncos’ two remaining preseason games, but he likely will be the the starting left guard when the Broncos open the regular season Sept. 13.

Another issue that the Colts need to address before the start of the regular season is their poor tackling. The Colts have missed 38 tackles over the first two preseason games -- 27 on defense and 11 on special teams. Head coach Chuck Pagano told reporters this week that tackling is something the Colts will continue to work on throughout the preseason.

When: 8 p.m. ET

When: 8 p.m. ET

Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisc.

The Chargers also are one of the few teams that still seem to have a kicking competition in progress. Undrafted rookie Josh Lambo made three field goals last Saturday, including a 47-yard game-winner, and he has a legitimate shot to unseat incumbent Nick Novak. Lambo, a former MLS goalie, has the stronger leg for kickoffs, while Novak obviously has more experience and has been one of the most accurate kickers in the league over the past few years (although he did miss an extra point this preseason).

When: 8 p.m. ET

That means Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy will primarily be under center -- and under fire -- on Saturday.

Griffin was hit six of the eight times he dropped back to pass against the Lions, absorbing several big hits before finally leaving the game with a concussion and shoulder stinger on his fourth drive of the game. It was originally considered a minor concussion and he quickly returned to practice. He seemed ready to go before the decision to not clear him came through on Friday. Griffin is the team’s starter, but Cousins and McCoy have both played well throughout the preseason.

It’s likely Dalton will get an extended look with his starting offensive line and his top receivers in hopes of finding some chemistry at home. Cincinnati has all five starters back from last year’s line, and the team drafted offensive tackles in the first two rounds, but Dalton was sacked three times and pressured even more. He also had trouble hooking up with receiver A.J. Green at times, and the Bengals need that connection to work this season.

This season, both the Bengals and the Bears have a lot to prove in their divisions, and despite the number of injuries around the league, the starters should get plenty of playing time in the third preseason game.

Fitzpatrick will now get plenty of time in the third preseason game, and his play will be heavily scrutinized. The third preseason game is always the most important one, in which starters typically see the most playing time. Just a couple of weeks ago, Fitzpatrick wasn’t even the starter, but with Geno Smith’s injury forcing him out for a portion of the regular season, Fitzpatrick will likely play a half or more on Saturday.

When: Saturday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m. ET

When: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

When: 7 p.m. ET

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

While the Falcons have a 1-1 record so far in preseason and the Dolphins have yet to find the win column, neither team has struggled much with the starting lineups. In particular, the first team offenses in Atlanta and Miami have looked exceptional in the first two weeks of preseason, despite the losses.

When: Saturday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m. ET

It looks like this position battle could come down to the final preseason game next week, though the importance of the third preseason game cannot be overstated. As the starter, Manuel will get premium snaps against Pittsburgh’s tough defense, which could work out well for him -- or poorly, if the Steelers’ defense is on point. Unfortunately for the Bills, they still have injuries at both receiver and running back, so Manuel won’t be working with a complete starting unit.

When: 4 p.m. ET

Week 3 of the NFL preseason is here, which is generally viewed as the most important of the relatively unimportant preseason games. Only three games were played on Friday, but Saturday’s schedule kicks it into high gear with a total of 11 matchups. Injuries have been a major problem thus far in the preseason, leading to backlash from those who consider these games to be pointless. But plenty of starters will be out on the field, taking more snaps than they did during the first two weeks.

(Away: KMSP-FOX 9; Home: WKBW-ABC 7) -- 4 p.m.

But the Patriots kept him out there and he managed to sneak in a scoring drive before the half, leading the Patriots seven plays and 80 yards, capped off with an excellent 18-yard touchdown to tight end Scott Chandler. Ultimately, Brady finished the game having completed 7 of 13 passes for 84 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

The Patriots still don’t know if Brady will actually start for them at the beginning of the regular season due to the ongoing controversy with DeflateGate. That’s still a big question mark, but for now, they have this to be encouraged by:

Friday’s preseason game between the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots gave football fans some awesome moments. However, it was Tom Brady’s throw to Scott Chandler for an 18-yard touchdown that resulted in the biggest cheer from the crowd.

Only these fans weren’t at the game. Nor were they cheering for Brady.

It sounds like Griffin actually wasn’t cleared by that neurologist. They “anticipated” that Griffin would be cleared, but further studying of the “neuropsychology data” led them to recommend Griffin be held from game action on Saturday and be retested in “one-two weeks,” according to a statement from Robert N. Kurtzke, the independent neurologist in question, via Albert Breer of the NFL Network.

Griffin, the team’s starter, was hit multiple times in the second preseason game, including three sacks. He’s been practicing to this point so he did clear at least part of the league’s concussion protocol. The team exercised the fifth-year option on his contract this offseason -- the fifth year being 2016 -- and the team was adamant that Griffin will still be the starter when he comes back from injury.