Raiders, Richardson, and Rising Stars: NFL's Wild Week in Review

🏈 INTRODUCTION: THIS ISN’T JUST WARM-UP FOOTBALL

The preseason is often dismissed glorified scrimmages, backups getting reps, coaches keeping playbooks under lock and key. But this week? It mattered.

We didn’t just see warmups. We saw warning shots. Quarterbacks staking claims. Underdogs rising. Veterans holding on. Teams that should’ve looked rusty came out swinging. And the internet predictably went into overdrive.

Whether you’re a fantasy nerd, lifelong fan, or just tuning in to see what all the fuss around Anthony Richardson is about, here’s your full breakdown of the NFL's most chaotic and exciting week yet.

⚔️ RAIDERS RISE: SOMETHING FEELS DIFFERENT

It wasn’t that the Raiders won. It’s how they played.

The Las Vegas Raiders came into their preseason matchup with the Seahawks looking loose but focused. Josh McDaniels may be gone, but something about this new iteration feels more cohesive. Whether it’s the influence of their assistant staff, sharper play-calling, or just a chip on their collective shoulder, the vibe has shifted.

Quarterbacks delivered. Defense swarmed. Special teams showed up.

The Seahawks weren’t pushovers either but it was clear which team walked in needing to make a point.

“This isn’t about proving anything to the media,” one Raiders assistant said post-game. “It’s about proving it to ourselves.”

And that attitude showed.

🚀 ANTHONY RICHARDSON: THE HYPE IS GETTING HARD TO DENY

Indianapolis Colts fans already had high hopes. But now the rest of the league is starting to pay serious attention.

Anthony Richardson’s latest performance was electric. His arm strength was never in question but now we’re seeing real composure, better reads, and flashes of something rare: command. He’s not just reacting. He’s leading.

Whether it was that cross-body strike while on the move or the third-and-long conversion that quieted a screaming defense, Richardson looked like the kind of quarterback you build around.

He’s trending for a reason. The internet lit up after his game, with fans debating whether he’s this year’s breakout star or the next overhyped rookie. But for now? The tape speaks louder than the tweets.

“He’s just starting,” Colts OC said. “And that’s the scary part—for everyone else.”

🔍 THE NAMES YOU’LL HEAR A LOT MORE VERY SOON

Everyone focuses on the headliners, but the preseason is built for breakout names. The players grinding in the shadows all offseason who suddenly step into the light.

This week, three stood out:

1. Darius Cooper – WR

He runs precise routes, doesn’t drop the ball, and finds soft spots in coverage like a veteran. Quietly becoming a QB’s best friend during camp.

2. Cam Miller – QB

He may not win the starting job this year, but Miller’s pocket presence, accuracy, and game awareness screamed future starter. Poised, calm, and clutch in late downs.

3. George Holani – RB

This isn’t your typical third-string back. Holani ran with power, balance, and vision making defenders miss and turning nothing plays into gains.

Don’t be shocked if these guys show up on your regular season fantasy waiver wire lists very soon.

🧠 WHAT IT ALL MEANS BIGGER THAN BOX SCORES

Sure, preseason stats are rarely reliable. But that doesn’t mean this week didn’t tell us something deeper:

• The Raiders aren’t coming to coast. They’re coming to claw their way back into relevance.
• Anthony Richardson isn’t “a project” anymore. He’s becoming the Colts’ cornerstone.
• Young talent is catching fire early just look at Cooper, Holani, and Miller.

This week reminded us that the NFL isn’t just about top-tier talent. It’s about momentum. Mentality. Culture.

And some teams are quietly changing theirs.

🔥 QUICK-FIRE ROUND: OTHER TRENDING MOMENTS

• Drew Lock trended after a surprisingly solid showing. Backup with something to prove?
• CJ Gardner-Johnson made noise both on the field and on social media. Big hits, bigger talk.
• NFL Scores and Week 1 predictions exploded on Threads and Twitter/X.
• Fever vs. Mercury may have been a WNBA game but it matched NFL preseason games in intensity and online buzz.

Also, let’s not forget Gina Carano resurfacing, Macaulay Culkin trending again (?!), and even the moon phase today going viral. It’s been that kind of week.

📊 THE BOTTOM LINE

The preseason is no longer the snoozefest people once shrugged off. It's a chessboard, and this week showed us who’s thinking a few moves ahead:

• The Raiders are angry.
• Richardson is ascending.
• And a wave of hungry, talented newcomers are ready to upend rosters.

The real games haven’t even started yet and it’s already too good to look away.