What to Watch: Preseason Week 1

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Football is finally back after Sunday night’s barn burner of a Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio. The Minnesota Vikings second and third teams out-dueled the Pittsburgh Steelers, 14-3.

Pittsburgh couldn’t muster up any offense, and in the process we had our first major injury from preseason games. Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham tore his ACL attempting to make a tackle during the second half kickoff. Suisham is expected to have surgery later this week, but he was the only kicker on the Steelers 90-man roster. The Steelers signed free-agent kicker Garrett Hartley on Tuesday, but Heinz Field is no cakewalk, so he’ll need to catch on quickly.

Minnesota and Teddy Bridgewater, on the other hand, had a good first look to the season. Bridgewater led the Vikings down the field in his only drive, going 5-of-6 for 44 yards before turning the ball over on downs.

The rest of the league kicks things off tonight. Here’s a few things to watch out for this weekend. (all times listed are EST)

Thursday, August 13

• It’s the Ryan Fitzpatrick show (for now) in New York, now that Geno Smith is sidelined 6-10 weeks with a broken jaw. (vs Lions, 7:30 p.m.)
• Jimmy Garoppolo will be taking snaps with the first team, preparing to start the first four weeks of the season, as we wait for the ruling from Tom Brady‘s suspension appeal. (vs. Packers, 7:30 p.m., NFLN)
• Rookie linebacker Stephone Anthony is making noise this camp, and is looking to lock down the starting job for the Saints. (at Ravens, 7:30 p.m.)
• Johnny Manziel and Josh McCown are in a tight battle for the Browns starting job. It seems to be McCown’s job to lose, but you can never count out the late Johnny Football. (vs. Redskins, 8 p.m.)
• Ndamukong Suh will make his debut against his former NFC Division rival. (at Bears, 8 p.m.)
• Melvin Gordon is set to start his NFL career in San Diego. (vs. Cowboys, 10 p.m. NFLN, joined in progress)

 Friday, August 14

• We’ll get our first look at the third overall pick in this year’s draft, when Marcus Mariota makes his Titans debut (at Falcons, 7 p.m., NFLN)
• The preseason quarterback carousel between Matt Cassel, E.J. Manuel and Tyrod Taylor, as they all fight for the starting job in Buffalo. (vs. Panthers, 7 p.m.)

• After a rough first season, the big question for Jacksonville is will Blake Bortles endure a sophomore slump, or take the step to the next level? (vs. Steelers, 7:30 p.m.)
• It’s been more than 15 months into A.J. McCarron‘s NFL career without taking a live snap. That should change tonight for the former University of Alabama QB. (vs. Giants, 7:30 p.m.)
• Nick Foles is set to make his Rams debut on the road in Oakland. (at Raiders, 10 p.m.)
• It’s still up in the air, but Jimmy Graham should make his Seahawks debut in this Super Bowl XLVIII rematch. (vs. Broncos, 10 p.m., NFLN joined in progress)

Saturday, August 15

• The first overall pick, and much-scrutinized Jameis Winston will make his first NFL start on the road in Minneapolis  (at Vikings, 7 p.m., NFLN)
• Jim Tomsula will make his 49ers debut against the Hard Knocks boys in Houston. (at Texans, 7 p.m.)
• Carson Palmer will make his anticipated return from injury that plagued the Cardinals last season. (vs. Chiefs, 9 p.m.)

 Sunday, August 16 

• If Sam Bradford‘s knees can hold together the Eagles may have something cooking with Chip Kelly’s offense. (vs. Colts, 1 p.m., NFLN)