NFL preseason Week 2 scores, highlights, updates: Cowboys WR, USFL MVP KaVontae

The NFL preseason has reached the midway point with Week 2, which serves as the de facto “dress rehearsal” for starters to prepare for the beginning of the regular season — which is just three weeks away. For teams that don’t have joint practices this week, Week 2 of the preseason is critical.

The Saturday slate featured eight games, with three in the afternoon, four taking place simultaneously in prime time, and the Cowboys and Chargers squaring off in the late window. The Broncos didn’t play most of their starters in one of the two early games, but the Bills gave theirs — including Josh Allen — a little bit of run. As expected, the Chiefs debuted their new-look offense Saturday, and the result was similar to what the Chiefs offense did during Patrick Mahomes’ first four years as Kansas City’s starting quarterback. 

Fans were also treated to rookie quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis, who are both hoping to put more pressure on the quarterbacks currently ahead of them on the depth chart. The day was capped off by a brilliant performance by a player who recently won USFL MVP honors. 

Below is a look at all of the highlights from the first three days of preseason action. 

Schedule

Thursday

Bears 27, Seahawks 11 (Takeaways)

Friday

Patriots 20, Panthers 10 (Takeaways)
Packers 20, Saints 10 (Recap)
Texans 24, Rams 20 (Recap)

Saturday

Bills 42, Broncos 15 (Recap)
Lions 27, Colts 26 (Recap)
Chiefs 24, Commanders 14 (Recap)
Steelers 16, Jaguars 15 (Takeaways)
Raiders 15, Dolphins 13 (Recap)
49ers 17, Vikings 7 (Recap)
Titans 13, Buccaneers 3 (Recap)
Cowboys 32, Chargers 18 (Recap)

Sunday

Eagles at Browns, 1 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Bengals at Giants, 7 p.m. ET (Gametracker)
Ravens at Cardinals, 8 p.m. ET (Gametracker)

Monday

Falcons at Jets, 8 p.m. ET (Gametracker)

Kenny Pickett continues strong preseason

The Kenny Pickett hype train continues to chug along. After tossing the game-winning touchdown in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener last week, the first-round rookie is turning heads yet again. This time, Pickett is seeing work with the first-team offense and looks like a guy capable of being the Week 1 starter. In the second quarter, he led a touchdown drive in just 42 seconds. 

On top of the scoring toss to running back Benny Snell Jr., Pickett also showed nice touch on a 24-yard gain to tight end Pat Freiermuth. In the first half, Pickett went 6-of-7 passing for 76 yards and that touchdown. 

Malik Willis shows off escapability

Malik Willis is flashing his upside. The rookie out of Liberty got the start in Tennessee’s preseason matchup against Tampa Bay, and his ability to weave around the pocket has been on full display. While leading the Titans on a field goal drive in the second quarter, Willis threw a side arm pass as he escaped a would-be sack to move the chains. 

He then ripped off a 25-yard scramble to get Tennessee into the red zone, where they’d eventually kick a field goal. Willis is still a raw prospect and needs to improve as a passer, but the tools are there for him to be a legit candidate to be a long-term option for…