Week 1 of the 2013 NFL Preseason is in the books as we got our first look at the new squads on the field for the upcoming season. Week 2 is set to begin on Thursday, with games stretching from then on into Monday Night.
The format for the second preseason game is similar to that of the first, though the starters might play a little bit longer. The longest that the starters play is in the third preseason game, with most taking the fourth game completely off leading up to the regular season opener.
There are a few nationally televised games on the slate this week, including the San Diego Chargers facing the Chicago Bears on ESPN Thursday night.
But some of the more intriguing storylines surround quarterback situations in teams. The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets garner plenty of attention.
The Eagles will host Carolina on Thursday night, where Nick Foles will get the start. This was already planned by head coach Chip Kelly even before last week’s preseason opener. Michael Vick started the first game, with Foles coming in second. Though rookie Matt Barkley really looked good during his time on the field as well.
Foles will begin against the Panthers, with Vick coming in next likely late in the first or in the second quarter. Barkley will come in the second or third quarter again.
The Jets will take the field on Saturday night at home against Jacksonville. Mark Sanchez started the first preseason game and looked shaky. Rookie Geno Smith came in and suffered a slight ankle injury so he might actually sit out for most of the game, if not all of it this week depending on how it feels. Sanchez did himself no favors by throwing a pick-six in the first quarter to rookie defensive end Ezekiel Ansah.
If this were a regular season week there would be some very compelling matchups on the slate. Atlanta visits Baltimore, Denver visits Seattle, the Colts take on the Giants, and the Steelers travel to the Redskins.
In total, there will be at least four games nationally televised, though the NFL Network has been showing more than scheduled as they’ve picked up several of the games. Currently, they are only scheduled for the Jets and Jaguars game on Saturday night at 7:30pm ET.