NFL QB battle roundup: Where Browns, Falcons, Vikings stand after first week of preseason action

NFL QB battle roundup: Where Browns, Falcons, Vikings stand after first week of preseason action originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Four NFL teams opened training camp with their starting quarterback role unsettled. After a week of preseason action, fans are starting to get some clarity on who has the advantage in those battles.

Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders both saw time under center in the Browns‘ preseason loss to the Bears, while Fernando Mendoza made his first impression as he tries to unseat veteran Kirk Cousins as the Raiders‘ top quarterback.

Elsewhere, Tua Tagovailoa got the chance to take a lead over Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta as Penix continues to work his way back from ACL surgery.

Here’s a look at the status of each quarterback battle after Week 1 of preseason action.

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NFL QB battle roundup

Browns: Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders

Offseason reports indicated Todd Monken might name a starting quarterback before training camp, but the competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders has continued into the preseason with Watson starting Cleveland’s first game and Sanders starting the second.

Watson generally played well against the Bears, finishing 11-of-15 for 126 yards but losing a fumble. He was a bit more effective than Sanders, who finished 6-of-11 for 79 yards and an interception.

Sanders’ fairest chance to move ahead of Watson will come when he plays with the starters in the Browns’ second preseason game. If Sanders impresses, the competition might press on. If Watson again looks like the more stable quarterback, Monken could be quick to name the veteran his Week 1 starter.

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Falcons: Tua Tagovailoa vs. Michael Penix Jr.

Tagovailoa started the Falcons‘ preseason opener but struggled to make much of an impression, finishing 3-of-5 for 22 yards before the starters exited. With Penix still not ready for 11-on-11 drills, however, the job could be Tagovailoa’s by default.

“Kevin Stefanski, the head coach, is not in a major rush here. He might wait even until later in the month to officially name a starter,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday. “Tua is still well positioned here because Michael Penix has not graduated to 11-man work on the practice field.”

If Tagovailoa struggles again in the Falcons’ second preseason game, Stefanski could take the decision down to the wire to see whether Penix can get back to 100 percent before Week 1. By all indications, though, the former Dolphins quarterback will have every opportunity to go and grab the job if he can put together an impressive performance.

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Raiders: Kirk Cousins vs. Fernando Mendoza

The Raiders made it clear entering training camp that Kirk Cousins was their likely starter. That doesn’t appear to have changed after strong showings by both quarterbacks in Las Vegas’ preseason opener.

“Kirk’s been getting the reps with the ones,” coach Klint Kubiak told reporters. “I think he’s had a solid training camp and it’s his job to lose.”

Kubiak hasn’t yet named a starter, so the battle is ongoing, but Cousins will likely need to do something to lose his faith if Mendoza is going to have a chance to start in Week 1.

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Vikings: Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy

The Vikings named Kyler Murray their starting quarterback ahead of their preseason opener, relegating J.J. McCarthy to backup duties.

Both players still played in Minnesota’s preseason opener, but Murray only attempted three passes in limited action. McCarthy finished 4-of-7 for 34 yards before ceding duties to Carson Wentz and ultimately Max Brosmer.

As it stands now, Murray, McCarthy and Wentz are slated to be the Vikings’ top three quarterbacks, in that order, when the season begins.