NFL Preseason Week 1 winners and losers: AFC North edition

NFL Preseason Week 1 winners and losers: AFC North edition originally appeared on The Sporting News

The first week of the NFL preseason is in the books, and while the games may not count in the standings, performances can make all the difference for players fighting for roster spots.

We start with the AFC North, looking at the winners and losers of each team.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Winner: QB Skylar Thompson

When I watched the game, Thompson just looked comfortable. You could tell he was assimilating well in that system, completing 71.4% of his passes.

Yes, Mason Rudolph looked good with the few passes he had, but Skylar looked very good throwing the ball.

This is going to be a very good battle for the backup QB spot.

Loser: DB Quindell Johnson

I really want to say the whole defensive line because they just got manhandled in the fourth.

But the play that Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten powered his way through him for that score.

That looked really bad, especially when he was the first one truly on him.

Cleveland Browns

Winner: LB Carson Schwesinger 

I couldn’t get enough of watching this guy seemed to always be by the ball. Every snap, he had great patience for when to attack the ball.

Schwesinger almost looks like the immediate lock-in replacement for when Jordan Hicks surprisingly retired.

Loser: QB Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders wasn’t as dominant as I was hoping he would be in his preseason debut. He looked okay at best, and when he answered the question about his performance, he was spot-on. A C+ grade is also all I could give him.

Especially not after all the hype that the media had for Sanders prior to this game. If Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett aren’t available, I would maybe let Tyler Huntley get some more playing time.

I do want to put an honorable mention to Rayshawn Jenkins for getting thrown out of the game for fighting. He's gonna lose some playing time fast.

Cincinnati Bengals

Winner: The starting OL

That starting line for Joe Burrow looked uncharacteristically decent.

Burrow was still quick with the ball, but there was a push from the line moving forward. Chase Brown had some lanes.

It was very fun to watch.

Loser: The entire starting defense

Where to even start.

The announcers to the game admitted that it was the Bengals' starters out there, and the Eagles are moving the ball well. It’s not something everyone doesn’t know – Cincinnati’s defense is bad.

But when you see the starters versus the true second string struggle to get down the field.

They need to re-sign Trey Hendrickson ASAP.

Baltimore Ravens

Winner: WR LaJohntay Wester

I know a lot of people are going to be really excited for Mike Green because he played really well and had a lot of big plays defensively, but the real winner was Wester. 

Not only was he winning contested catches, but he also returned an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown.

I loved Green and even chuckled when the Ravens drafted him because it always seems like great draft picks just fall in Baltimore’s lap effortlessly every draft.

Green was no different. But in all the hype that Green garnered and will receive in the future, Wester stole the day.

Loser: WR Dayton Wade

This was a terrible showing for Wade. The very first throw he gave up and fell, letting the Colts' defensive back intercept the ball right off the rip.

If he isn’t willing to fight for the ball, he can kiss almost any chance of being on this team goodbye.

Not only that but he was bullied by seemingly everyone the Colts put out there in front of him. 

Maybe he gets another chance, but I doubt it.