2025 NFL preseason, Week 2: What We Learned from Friday's doubleheader

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NFL.com breaks down what you need to know from Week 2 of the 2025 NFL preseason. Catch up on Friday’s biggest takeaways using the links below:

Tennessee Titans 23, Atlanta Falcons 20

READ: Cam Ward, Titans offense sputter over first three series

Grant Gordon’s takeaways:

Falcons rookies show promise on D. The Falcons’ top 2025 draft pick, Jalon Walker, didn’t play on Friday, but fellow first-rounder James Pearce Jr. and third-round safety Xavier Watts got plenty of run. Both got 20-plus snaps in the first half and played into the second. Competing for a starting safety spot next to Jessie Bates, Watts had a pair of tackles and looked solid roaming the field. Pearce, meanwhile, had three QB pressures and four tackles, with his biggest play coming when he nearly got around the edge to Brandon Allen and hurried the QB into a throw intercepted by Natrone Brooks. Aiming to improve a defense that was ranked 23rd overall last season, Atlanta looks as though it could be heavily impacted by some young guns.

Cam needs some help at WR. In the Titans’ preseason opener, Cam Ward’s instant chemistry with Calvin Ridley was evident and Tyler Lockett had a few plays in which he showed he’s still got some left in the tank. However, with both on the sidelines Friday, it was clear the Titans have a dearth of talent in the receiving corps. Rookie Elic Ayomanor had a nice 35-yard pickup for Ward and had another grab for 12 yards. Veteran Van Jefferson, who projects as a potential No. 3, had a big drop, though, and the cupboard’s quite bare beyond that. Rookie tight end Gunnar Helm hauled in a touchdown from Brandon Allen and the fourth-rounder, pegged to back up Chig Okonkwo, could be one to watch. Quite simply, though, Ward, who hasn’t thrown a touchdown in five preseason series, cannot rely on Ridley alone.

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