:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56274781/usa_today_10217750.0.jpg)
Week 2 of the NFL preseason is underway, and that means more reps for starters. After key players sat out their teams’ openers, this weekend marked the brief returns of the league’s top players. On Saturday night, Tom Brady and Dak Prescott both made their preseason debuts.
That trend might not continue on Sunday, but both games are worth watching. The first will give us a couple of high-profile NFL debuts. In the second, one team will look to break a 10-game preseason losing streak.
Falcons vs. Steelers, 4 p.m.
Two of the league’s top teams will meet in a potential Super Bowl preview Sunday afternoon when the Falcons travel to Heinz Field for a preseason date with the Steelers. It probably won’t look anything like a Super Bowl preview, though. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown will continue to sit, and Le’Veon Bell is still holding out. The Falcons’ own superstar receiver, Julio Jones, won’t play either. Recently extended running back Devonta Freeman is out as well due to a concussion.
Fun Steelers player to watch: Josh Dobbs
Just months after graduating from the University of Tennessee, Dobbs was an NFL starting quarterback. Kind of.
The rookie earned his team’s top spot behind center in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener after Roethlisberger decided to rest his eternally hobbled 35-year-old body. Backup Landry Jones might play, but Dobbs earns the start against Atlanta. The first-year passer led his team to a preseason win last week, but also threw a pair of interceptions and needed 15 passes to accumulate just 100 yards in a touch debut.
Fun Falcons player to watch: Takk McKinley
When the Falcons drafted McKinley with the 26th pick in this year’s draft, he made an immediate impression. Now, the young defensive end with a big personality will get to show what he can do on the field.
McKinley had shoulder surgery before the draft, so his snaps will be limited. But his playing time will likely increase as the preseason goes on. If he’s ready to go full tilt by the time the season starts, he can tag team with Vic Beasley like the Falcons intended when the drafted him.
Compared to other preseason games, is this worth my time?
Yes, if only because one easy-to-root-for player on each team is set to make his NFL debut. For the Falcons, it’s McKinley. For the Steelers, it’s running back James Conner. The third-round pick, who overcame Hodgkin’s lymphoma, led all rookies in jersey sales this offseason. He’s dealt with both hamstring and shoulder injuries, so he probably won’t carry a heavy load. But it will still be great to see him on the field.
Saints at Chargers, 8 p.m.
The Chargers planted their flag in Los Angeles by losing their first game in the StubHub Center by a 48-17 margin. On Sunday, they’ll hope for a better outcome in their new home.
Los Angeles rang in its inaugural season in the city of angels with a stomping, setting an unfortunate harbinger for the rest of the season. Fortunately for new Chargers fans, the team’s second game of the preseason should at least be a bit more fun to watch. Two of the league’s most explosive passing offenses will meet in L.A.’s intimate confines in a showdown that promises fireworks — at least as long as Drew Brees and Philip Rivers are on the field.
Fun Saints player to watch: Michael Thomas
Thomas’ rookie campaign was so impressive it allowed New Orleans to jettison Brandin Cooks, coming off back-to-back 1,100-yard campaigns, to the Patriots in a pre-draft trade. Now, the Saints’ No. 1 wideout role belongs to the former Ohio State standout, and he looks extremely capable of fulfilling expectations in year two. Thomas had 1,137 receiving yards and nine touchdowns despite making only 12 starts last fall. Expect him to be even better in 2017.
Fun Chargers player to watch: Joey Bosa
Los Angeles invested hard to power up its offense this fall, but one explosive defender could steal the show this fall. Bosa, 2016’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, lived up to the hype of being the No. 3 overall pick by tearing through offensive lines en route to 10.5 sacks in 12 games. Opposing blockers will have the opportunity to study his game film a little harder this season, but the still-growing Bosa will have the chance to make his mark as one of the league’s most powerful defenders, starting this preseason.
Compared to other preseason games, is this worth my time?
If Rivers and Brees both play, it should be fun for a least a little while. Brees sat out last week, but it’s a little more personal this week now that he’ll be going against his former team and his former backup. Through joint practices all week, the two looked like they were having a blast competing in quarterback challenges.
On the other hand, the Chargers are coming off a 31-point loss and the Saints have lost 10 straight preseason games. So this one could be a little sad, too.