Ah, the NFL preseason.
It’s a time when every team is trying to find its footing before the games that matter.
While starting rosters are mostly finalized, coaches are still looking for diamonds in the rough that can unseat their top players.
All squads are on equal footing during the next few weeks.
But after the first round of preseason games, there are some NFL teams that need to improve the most.
They looked dead during their tune-ups which could be a cause for concern to their respective fanbases.
Here are the teams that had poor performances during the start of the 2021 preseason.
Will these games be indicative of their campaign?
If this sets the tone, they are doomed.
3. New York Giants
In the showdown of the two teams representing New York, the Giants gave up just 12 points to the Jets.
However, the Giants tallied only seven of their own which came with 7:13 left in the fourth quarter.
The Giants forced the Jets to a three-and-out in the following series.
However, a safety by the Jets’ Jonathan Marshall and Hamilcar Rashed Jr. proved to be the winning score.
Per PFF, the #Giants O-Line allowed 14 total pressures last night.
Kenny Wiggins and Jake Burton allowed three each.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) August 15, 2021
Clayton Thorson made the Giants touchdown pass to Damion Wills.
That was only one of Thorson’s five completions out of 16 tries.
Meanwhile, Mike Glennon completed just three passes for 20 yards.
Corey Clement also fumbled and lost the ball once.
Their performance could have been worse if not for the four tackles for losses and one sack by the defense.
2. Minnesota Vikings
Losing by 27 points alone, the largest margin of defeat, is enough to put them on this infamous list.
But a deep dive into the numbers reveals a poorer outing.
Their quarterbacks, Kellen Mond and Jake Browning, combined for 84 passing yards, no touchdowns, and an interception.
That said, none of their receivers went past 20 yards.
Minnesota Vikings fans with a standing ovation for their former QB Teddy Bridgewater 👏
🎥 @NFL pic.twitter.com/z89ecwqFFT
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 14, 2021
Greg Joseph’s two field goals and AJ Rose’s 100 rushing yards were the saving grace of the Vikings offense.
The defense completed three tackles for losses but could not complete any sacks.
Simply put, they were outplayed by a Denver Broncos team that is still trying to figure out who their starting quarterback will be.
1. Atlanta Falcons
If there’s any consolation, their top players did not see action.
Still, that shouldn’t be an excuse to have the lone Younghoe Koo field goal as their only points in the game.
It should have been six points, if not for Koo’s missed field goal attempt.
On the other hand, their defense was commendable.
They had 41 tackles, 24 assists, six tackles for losses, and four sacks by five different players.
However, their offense could not match the defense’s intensity.
Feleipe Franks did have 76 rushing yards to lead the team but completed only two of nine pass attempts for 16 yards.
CAN WE TALK ABOUT FELEIPE FRANKS. A gutsy 51-yard run!@AtlantaFalcons | #TENvsATL pic.twitter.com/kcHSEqTraa
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2021
His fellow backup quarterback, A.J. McCarron connected on five passes for 36 yards and an interception.
John Raine had the most receiving yards with 15, followed by Caleb Huntley with 14.
Most of these players will see spot minutes, if any, during the regular season.
After this game, the Falcons faithful now understand how important the likes of Matt Ryan, Calvin Ridley, and Kyle Pitts are to their cause.
