NFLUK Weekly Recap
Wednesday, 20 August 2025
UK flavoured. Clean facts. No fluff.
Preseason Wk2
Starters sharpened, rookies made their case, and a few scorelines raised eyebrows. Tape that matters, hype that does not. Here’s your tidy UK-first Week 2 wrap.
Top headlines and results
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Results round-up (15 to 18 Aug)Dolphins 24–17 Lions • Texans 20–3 Panthers • Packers 23–19 Colts • Patriots 20–12 Vikings • Browns 22–13 Eagles • 49ers 22–19 Raiders • Ravens 31–13 Cowboys • Rams 23–22 Chargers • Giants 31–12 Jets • Buccaneers 17–14 Steelers • Bears 38–0 Bills • Jaguars 17–17 Saints • Bengals 31–17 Commanders
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Status checksJordan Love returned to Packers practice after thumb surgery. Lions DB Morice Norris Jr. is back around the team and progressing through the concussion protocol.
Key player performances
- Caleb Williams, BearsOpened his account with a 36-yard TD as Chicago blanked Buffalo 38–0.
- Jaxson Dart, GiantsTD pass and a rushing score in the 31–12 win over the Jets.
- TreVeyon Henderson, PatriotsClean reads and end-zone work against the Vikings.
- Dillon Gabriel, BrownsSteady command in the road win at Philadelphia.
Who was out there (starters, rookies & cameos)
- Dolphins QBs: Zach Wilson ➜ Quinn EwersWilson ran the first-half show; rookie Ewers threw two second-half TDs vs. Detroit.
- Patriots rookiesRB TreVeyon Henderson and WR Efton Chism III both scored in Minneapolis.
- Chargers debut flashesRookie WR Ladd McConkey logged a brief cameo (1 catch/17 yds) in the 23–22 loss.
- Giants QB Jaxson Dart14/16 with a TD pass and a rushing score; momentum building in that QB room.
- 49ers special teamsJake Moody drilled a walk-off 59-yarder at Vegas (also hit from 44).
- Bengals depth WRMitchell Tinsley popped with two TDs on Monday night at Washington.
- Texans startersC.J. Stroud found Nico Collins for an early TD as Houston beat Carolina.
Tryout stories (bubble battles)
- Packers QB roomWith Jordan Love rehabbing, Sean Clifford’s late TD run and UDFA Taylor Elgersma’s steady snaps kept the pressure on for QB3 pecking order.
- Chargers O-line reality checkYoung guards Karsen Barnhart/Branson Taylor drew rough PFF pass-block grades — tape the staff will scrutinise hard.
- Commanders backfieldWith Brian Robinson Jr. out, Chris Rodriguez Jr. + rookie Bill Croskey-Merritt combined for 108 rush yards in the loss to Cincy.
- Raiders rookie punchRB Ashton Jeanty ran tough (TD on 7 carries) — useful tape even in defeat.
- Bucs backup QB battleTeddy Bridgewater tossed two first-quarter TDs (Irving, Egbuka) and staked a claim behind Baker Mayfield.
Roster bubble watch
Special teams matter
UDFA tape counts
More facts from Week 2
- Biggest marginBears 38–0 Bills was the widest gap of the week.
- Only drawJaguars 17–17 Saints was the week’s lone stalemate.
- Tightest finishRams edged the Chargers 23–22, the only 1-point game.
- Highest combined pointsBengals 31–17 Commanders produced a week-high 48 total points.
Historical and UK context
- Dublin – Sun 28 Sept, 2:30 pm BSTSteelers vs Vikings at Croke Park. First regular season game in Ireland.
- London – all 2:30 pm BST kick-offsSun 5 Oct, Tottenham: Browns vs Vikings
Sun 12 Oct, Tottenham: Jets vs Broncos
Sun 19 Oct, Wembley: Jaguars vs Rams
Vikings play twice in Europe
Jaguars regular visitors
Upcoming games to watch – Preseason Week 3 (UK times)
Fri 22 Aug, 12:00 am BST
Steelers at Panthers
Final auditions for depth chart places.
Fri 22 Aug, 1:00 am BST
Patriots at Giants
Likely the longest tune-up window for select starters.
Sat 23 Aug, 12:30 am BST
Eagles at Jets
Roster battles across both depth charts.
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