The Chicago Bears didn’t just win their preseason game—they erased the Buffalo Bills from the scoreboard entirely, delivering a 38-0 shutout on Sunday, August 17, 2025. It wasn’t just a victory; it was a statement. With starters sitting and backups fighting for roster spots, this was the kind of performance that turns heads in the locker room—and sends a message to the front office. The Bears defense didn’t just contain the Bills; they suffocated them. No points. No momentum. No escape.
Defensive Stars Steal the Show
While quarterbacks got their reps, it was the defenders who made the biggest noise. Enter Andrew Mukuba, the Philadelphia Eagles rookie safety who had been written off after missing camp time. On Saturday, August 16, 2025, Mukuba turned a botched handoff between Cleveland Browns QB Dillon Gabriel and running back Pierre Strong into a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown. He added a fumble recovery moments later. Two takeaways. Two game-changing plays. Suddenly, Mukuba isn’t just competing for a spot—he’s forcing the Eagles to rethink their entire safety depth chart.Meanwhile, the Bears defense held the Bills to zero first downs in the first half. They forced three punts, two turnovers, and a safety. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, playing limited snaps, looked every bit the veteran anchor the team hoped he’d become. And when rookie cornerback Jaylen Watson intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown? The crowd at Soldier Field didn’t just cheer—they stood up and roared.
Quarterback Battles Heat Up
The real drama, though, was unfolding under center. In New York Giants territory, first-round pick Jaxson Dart didn’t just play well—he dominated. Completing 14 of 16 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing), Dart looked calm, decisive, and utterly unflappable. He didn’t just outplay veteran Russell Wilson—he made Wilson’s struggles last week look like a bad dream. The Giants’ coaching staff now faces an impossible choice: stick with the proven hand, or hand the keys to the future?On the same day, Dillon Gabriel of the Cleveland Browns showed flashes of brilliance—converting three straight third downs on a 13-play drive—before throwing a costly pick-six. His performance was a textbook case of potential vs. polish. He’s got the arm. He’s got the poise. But he still makes rookie mistakes. The Browns’ QB room, already crowded with Shedeur Sanders and Jacoby Brissett, just got even more complicated.
And then there was Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, who delivered the most complete performance of the weekend. Throwing for 138 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-23 attempts in the Browns’ 20-3 win over the Carolina Panthers, Sanders looked like a player who belongs—not just because of his name, but because of his mechanics, his timing, and his grit. He didn’t need to be perfect. He just needed to be better than the rest. He was.
Young Receivers and the Rise of the Unknown
It wasn’t just quarterbacks. The Jacksonville Jaguars got a glimpse of their future in Brian Thomas Jr., who caught two passes for 28 yards after dropping a critical ball in training camp. His resilience was quiet, but telling. Meanwhile, in New Orleans, rookie Miller (last name unconfirmed) carried the ball 11 times for 54 yards, showing the kind of burst and vision that could make him Alvin Kamara’s ideal backup. And don’t sleep on Mason Tipson—the Saints’ wideout racked up 100 yards on six catches, including a 45-yard bomb from Spencer Rattler that tied the game in the final minute.The Denver Broncos quietly made a statement, too. After Bo Nix’s shaky Week 1, Jarrett Stidham came in and threw 14 of 15 for 136 yards and two touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts. It wasn’t flashy. But it was efficient. And in a league where consistency trumps spectacle, that’s gold.
What This Means for Roster Cuts
With roster cuts looming on August 27, 2025, every snap matters. The Chicago Bears now have a defense that looks playoff-ready. The Giants have a potential franchise QB in Dart. The Browns have three viable options at QB—none of whom are clearly the answer. And the Eagles might have stumbled into a hidden gem in Mukuba.Teams with thin depth charts—like the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals—are now sweating. Their backups didn’t just underperform; they got exposed. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars, who tied the New Orleans Saints 17-17 after a comical fumble on their first drive (yes, Trevor Lawrence headbutted his own running back), showed they can recover. That’s leadership.
What’s Next? Preseason Week 3 Begins Thursday
The action doesn’t stop. Preseason Week 3Arrowhead Stadium kicks off Thursday, August 22, 2025, with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Chicago Bears at 8:15 p.m. ET. Then Friday, the Jacksonville Jaguars visit the Atlanta Falcons, and Saturday night, the Las Vegas Raiders face the San Francisco 49ers. These aren’t just tune-ups—they’re auditions.By the end of this week, we’ll know who’s making the team. Who’s getting cut. Who’s got a future. And who’s just filling a roster spot until someone better shows up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Andrew Mukuba’s performance impact the Eagles’ safety depth chart?
Mukuba’s two takeaways—including a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown—forced the Eagles to reconsider their starting safety competition. He outplayed Sydney Brown, who had been the presumed starter, and now stands as a legitimate candidate for Week 1. His instincts and ball-hawking ability suggest he could be a Day 1 contributor, especially in sub-packages.
Why is Jaxson Dart’s performance significant for the New York Giants?
Dart’s 14-of-16, 137-yard, two-touchdown outing against a solid Carolina Panthers defense showed he’s not just a prospect—he’s ready to compete. With Russell Wilson’s mobility declining and his accuracy slipping, Dart’s poise under pressure makes him a viable alternative. The Giants now face a decision: draft a QB in 2026, or hand the job to Dart before the regular season.
What does the Bears’ 38-0 shutout reveal about their defense?
The Bears didn’t just dominate—they suffocated. They held the Bills to zero first downs in the first half, forced three turnovers, and recorded a safety. Their front seven looked explosive, and their secondary was disciplined. This wasn’t a fluke—it was a blueprint. If they can replicate this against starters, they could be the league’s most dangerous defense in 2025.
Is Shedeur Sanders really a contender for the Browns’ starting QB job?
Yes. Sanders threw for 138 yards and two touchdowns on 23 attempts, with no interceptions, while showing excellent timing and field awareness. He’s not just Deion’s son—he’s a smart, accurate passer with NFL-caliber mechanics. With Jacoby Brissett aging and Dillon Gabriel inconsistent, Sanders is now the most promising option on the roster. The Browns’ coaching staff will have to seriously consider starting him in Week 1.
What’s the significance of Trevor Lawrence’s headbutt fumble?
It was a bizarre, almost comical moment—but it mattered. Lawrence tripped on the snap, headbutted Tank Bigsby’s knee, and fumbled. The play was recovered by the defense. But what’s telling is how the Jaguars responded: they scored on their next drive. That’s leadership. That’s resilience. It’s the kind of moment that separates good QBs from great ones—especially when no one’s watching.
When do teams finalize their 53-man rosters?
NFL teams must cut their rosters from 90 players to 53 by Tuesday, August 27, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET. Preseason Week 3 games, running from August 22–27, are the final evaluations. Players who don’t impress in these final games—especially those on the bubble—are likely to be released or sent to the practice squad.