2025 NFL preseason Week 2: Takeaways, analysis - ESPN

The second week of the 2025 NFL preseason kicked off Friday as several teams prepared to give extended looks to their starters in a dress rehearsal for the regular season.

To keep you updated on how teams fared, our NFL Nation reporters summarized the games below.

Quick links:
Full schedule | Where to watch | Depth charts
Fantasy football draft guide | Sign up to play

Bengals: The defensive improvement under new coordinator Al Golden has been touted throughout the offseason and in training camp. But the group that has looked better in practice has not been able to translate that into two preseason games.

For the second straight contest, the starters were gashed for big plays. Washington rushed for 106 yards on its first two drives, including one drive by the Commanders' backups. Cincinnati's defensive players downplayed the struggles in the opener against the Eagles. But after a lackluster showing on Monday night, that play will be tougher to ignore. — Ben Baby

Next game: vs. Indianapolis Colts (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET)

Commanders: The run game will survive without Brian Robinson Jr. It's not as if Robinson has been an NFL standout, but he has been Washington's starting back the past three seasons. His Commanders' future is in serious doubt in part because of the depth and versatility displayed in the first two series' Monday night.

Early in the game, Washington's first run game looked excellent, hurting the Bengals in a variety of ways. Deebo Samuel gained 19 yards on a jet sweep; Chris Rodriguez Jr. squeezed through the middle for a 40-yard run; Jayden Daniels scored on a 14-yard run and Jacory Croskey-Merritt dashed for a 27-yard score. The line was excellent — rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. and tight end John