It’s only the NFL preseason but these teams look to be in mid-season form.
Yes, it’s tough to make an accurate assessment of these teams during these games.
But their domination during the tune-ups is hard to ignore.
They are defeating the opposition convincingly and may have a roster with deep talent.
That will help them throughout the year if some of their starters incur injuries.
Here are the NFL teams that are putting the rest of the league on notice.
Are they on to something big during the 2021 NFL season?
Only they can fight for their fate.
3. Denver Broncos
Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater are engaged in a tight battle to become the Denver Broncos starting quarterback.
After two preseasons games, no one is giving an inch.
In their game against the Minnesota Vikings, Lock threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns while Bridgewater had 74 passing yards and a touchdown.
Wide receiver KJ Hamler also collected 105 yards and a touchdown catch.
A week later, both of them completed nine passes versus the Seattle Seahawks.
Crazy: The #Broncos have the top two highest graded rookie defenders in the NFL
🔶Jonathan Cooper – 91.6
🔶Patrick Surtain II – 91.3 pic.twitter.com/qhE6mXFtnN— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) August 22, 2021
However, Bridgewater tallied 105 yards and a touchdown while Lock had 80 yards.
Hamler had another two-yard touchdown catch.
The fierce competition gave the Broncos two convincing wins (33-6 over Minnesota, 30-3 against Seattle) during the preseason.
It would be interesting to see how head coach Vic Fangio will choose his top quarterback.
2. Tennessee Titans
The likes of Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, and Julio Jones haven’t suited up for any preseason snaps.
Still, the Tennessee Titans are dominating the opposition over two games.
With Logan Woodside and Matt Barkley taking turns at quarterback, the Titans blew out the Atlanta Falcons, 23-3.
Both quarterbacks threw a touchdown pass against the Falcons and combined for 138 yards.
Running back Mekhi Sargent is also having a blast during the preseason.
"In our era, @juliojones_11 has always been the No. 1 receiver."
📺: #NFLTop100 on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/FTig2HBDSv
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 22, 2021
He had 58 yards against the Falcons and 78 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Speaking of which, Woodside and Barkley threw for 179 combined yards and three touchdowns.
Those numbers helped the Titans defeat the defending champions, 34-3.
Their defense also showed up during these games.
Mike Vrabel’s crew had five sacks against Atlanta and three sacks against Tampa Bay.
1. New England Patriots
After a down year, could it be that Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are back in business?
It seems like they are the Patriots of old after two preseason games.
They defeated the Washington Football Team, 22-13, wherein Rhamondre Stevenson had 127 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Cam Newton and Mac Jones are pushing each other for the quarterback role.
Newton finished with four passes for 49 yards while Jones made 13 passes for 87 yards.
Statement from the Patriots on Cam Newton, who will be back in the club facility on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/z6hHmg65YS
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 23, 2021
But the best is yet to come as they shut out the Philadelphia Eagles, 35-0.
Once again, both Newton (eight completions, 103 yards, one touchdown) and Jones (13 completions, 146 yards) were up to the task.
The running game showed up once again J.J. Taylor rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, Stevenson crossed the goal line twice and made 66 yards.
True to Belichick’s priorities, the defense also showed up with four sacks and two interceptions.
NEXT: Jacob Eason Takes Upper Hand Over Sam Ehlinger In Colts Battle