1. Matthew Stafford: Maybe Matthew Stafford will be fine without Calvin Johnson after all. He was accurate, made decisions and looked like he won’t miss a beat without Megatron this year.
6 big winners from Thursday’s ‘riveting’ NFL preseason action
Terrelle Pryor might have this whole receiver thing down just fine.
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2. Christine Michael: The summer of Christine Michael continues. The Seahawks’ on again-off again running back had a fantastic game against the Vikings. Could he be the man in the backfield this year?
3. Griffin & Pryor: RG3 and Terrelle Pryor have a real connection. Pryor followed up his big play effort last week with a beautiful 50-yard touchdown catch from RG3. Griffin looked solid too, throwing another touchdown to Gary Barnidge.
4. Falcons running backs: Atlanta’s running game looks on point. Devonta Freeman leads a stacked group of running backs for the Falcons. There was a lot to like about the bunch in Thursday’s preseason win over the Browns, too.
5. Tom Brady’s backup: Jimmy Garoppolo looks like he can win in the NFL. Brady’s backup had a great night and he did it without the Patriots’ top offensive weapons.
6. Jeremy Langford: Jeremy Langford has the Bears No. 1 running back job sewn up. He rushed for 55 yards on eight carries, caught one pass for 8 yards and scored a touchdown. Langford looks like the kind of back who’ll get 25 touches a game, and that’s a good thing.
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HARRISON WANTS TO BE ON TV: James Harrison wants his interview with the NFL filmed. In his postgame comments during which he called Commissioner Roger Goodell a “crook,” Steelers linebacker James Harrison made a very good point about his upcoming PED interview. “I wouldn’t have a problem with it being filmed live,” Harrison said. All this is pointing toward a big labor war when it’s time for the next CBA. We discussed that on the podcast this week.
WALSH IS OVER IT: This time Blair Walsh made the 27-yard field goal against Seattle. But he missed a 47-yarder.
STEELERS BACKUP PROBLEM: Landry Jones isn’t going to cut it as the Steelers backup QB. This is Jones’ fourth season and he still looks like he hasn’t improved. If the Steelers lose Roethlisberger at all this season, they could be in real trouble.
BRIDGEWATER SITS: Teddy Bridgewater sat against the Seahawks on Thursday. Why? Head coach Mike Zimmer said it was "my decision" and that's about all he said. He refused to answer whether it was injury related, some kind of team infraction or anything else.
OH, HEY RUS! Russell Wilson throws dime to Tyler Lockett against the Vikings. Well, someone seems to be in midseason form.
INJURIES
HUNDLEY HURT AGAIN: Brett Hundley leaves Packers game early game with ankle injury. After missing the preseason opener with an ankle injury, Green Bay’s backup quarterback left Thursday’s game in the second quarter.
BRADY VS. SCISSORS: Tom Brady misses Patriots preseason game after cutting himself with scissors. Luckily, he has about two months to heal.
PUNT CONCUSSION: Eagles kicker suffers a concussion after getting hit in the head by a punt during warmups. Always wear your helmet.
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