NFL Friday Night Preseason Games: What To Watch For in Falcons-Jets and Seahawks-Chiefs

We’ve got two potentially very good games on the docket tonight with the Falcons on the road against the Jets and the Seahawks visiting the Chiefs, which is also the national game this evening on NFL Network. For those of you who have dropped some money to get NFL Game Pass this season, both games can also be live-streamed through that service if you do not have access to a television or cable subscription.  Here are some quick story lines to keep an eye on tonight as you watch the games.

ATL @ NYJ [6:30 PM CT]

Kyle Shanahan’s offense was its regular unstoppable self in the Falcons' preseason opener against the Titans. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones absolutely dominated the Tennessee secondary up and down the field, but that connection will be tested tonight by the likes of Darrelle Revis, Muhammad Wilkerson, and the freshly drafted Leonard Williams. Seeing two perennial All-Pro talents go head to head outside the hashes, even if only for a few series, is must-see TV to me.

Beyond the obvious headliners, I’m curious to watch how Vic Beasley, Jr. does in his second preseason outing. I was very skeptical of Beasley’s selection in the top 10 of the 2015 NFL Draft, so my eyes will be on him at all times when the Falcons' defense is on the field. Best case scenario, Beasley proves me wrong and becomes the player that Bruce Irvin was supposed to be. Worst case scenario, he continues to get blown up against the run on early downs and becomes a one trick pony speed rusher with limited value. Beasley is a genuinely great human being and I root for him, so hopefully I’m wrong on this one; I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

SEA @ KC [7:00 PM CT]

If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be silently sobbing in the corner throughout this entire game while watching Tyler Lockett play in a uniform that does not belong to the Texans. Sigh…we could have done great things together, Tyler. I hope to see you down in Houston in four years or so.

As for the rest of the game, we will get to see some more of Russell Wilson and Jimmy Graham establishing a connection, as well as how the Chiefs adapting their defense to the loss of Dontari Poe. Texans fans should pay extra attention to that last point considering that the Chiefs are coming to Houston in Week One for the regular season opener. If Kansas City’s starters cannot stop the run without Poe against a run-oriented team like the Seahawks, surely the Texans will try to replicate that success.

What are you looking for in tonight’s games, BRB? Sound off in the comments below. And while you're at it, our slick prediction widget for tomorrow's Texans-Broncos matchup is back! Submit your scores and see how they differ from the equally homer-tastic fans over at Mile High Report.