Winners and losers from first weekend of NFL preseason games

The 2024 Paris Olympics are over.

Now what?

Never fear, sports fans, the NFL preseason is here!

Yes, it's quite the pendulum swing going from the once-in-a-lifetime intensity of world-class athletes going for gold 🥇 to seemingly meaningless exhibition games. However, while the preseason game results don't really matter in the grand scheme of things, what transpires in those contests does make a difference for so many rookies, team newcomers and roster bubble hopefuls.

The first of three weekends of preseason football is in the books. Some – such as Caleb Williams and other first-round quarterbacks not named Drake Maye – had impressive debuts . Others were not as fortunate, such as new Kansas City Chiefs receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown suffering a dislocated shoulder .

USA TODAY Sports ' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz presents the winners and losers from the first week of the preseason.

📷: Best from NFL preseason games | Training camps 🏈

News, notes and tidbits from around the NFL

• NFL's ugliest QB competition? One team has depressing dilemma 😝
• CeeDee Lamb contract standoff only increases pressure on Cowboys
• If Brandon Aiyuk gets traded, where are his best landing spots?
• A handful of Colts players wore 'Guardian Caps' in Sunday's preseason game
• Seahawks star swings helmet at teammate during fight-filled practice
• Patriots cut JuJu Smith-Schuster after one disappointing season
• Former Super Bowl MVP, Eagles hero Nick Foles retiring after 11-year NFL career
• Record projections for 2024 NFL season: Who will meet in Super Bowl 59?

Previously on 'Hard Knocks': Welcome to the NFL, Caleb Williams

The hopes and dreams of the Chicago Bears and their passionate fanbase ride on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams , who was in the spotlight during the opening episode of "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears"

• PHOTOS: 'Hard Knocks' teams through the years
• 19 most memorable 'Hard Knocks' moments ever

NFL preseason Week 2 dates, times, TV info

Plan your weekend accordingly 🏈 📺 ...

Thursday

• Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots , 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Saturday

• Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens , 12 p.m. ET
• Cincinnati Bengals at Chicago Bears , 1 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• New York Giants at Houston Texans , 1 p.m. ET
• Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs , 4 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns , 4:25 p.m. ET
• New York Jets at Carolina Panthers , 7 p.m. ET
• Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts , 7 p.m. ET
• Washington Commanders at Miami Dolphins , 7 p.m. ET
• Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers , 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans , 7 p.m. ET
• Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Chargers , 7:05 p.m. ET
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Jaguars , 7:30 p.m. ET
• Dallas Cowboys at Las Vegas Raiders , 10 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Sunday

• Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos , 8 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers , 8 p.m. ET (FOX)

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Winners and losers from first weekend of NFL preseason games