So much for that much-maligned Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback issue. With everyone and their brother melting down about what the Cowboys will do for a Tony Romo insurance plan, the Cowboys might have already solved it in the draft with Dak Prescott.

One preseason game against the Rams shouldn't completely eliminate any concerns about the depth there, but Prescott, a fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State this year, looked tremendous in his first action as a Cowboy.

Romo didn't start Saturday night -- not surprising for Week 1 of the preseason -- so Prescott got all the action against the first-teamers. And he delivered, looking composed and efficient in three series running Dallas' offense.

Prescott went 10 of 12, with one of his incompletions a terrible drop, for 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

On his first drive he was feeding Dez Bryant, which is generally a pretty smart thing to do for a young quarterback. Prescott found Dez on the sideline for a big play:

And then found him in the end zone for a touchdown:

This is also a friendly reminder that, when fully healthy, Dez is a destructive force near the end zone. He's the most dangerous red-zone receiver in the NFL when he's operating at full speed, because of his ability to high point the ball and combine athleticism with physicality to dominant opposing cornerbacks.

Bryant was impressed with Prescott too:

"I think the best thing about Dak is that he is extremely calm. It's like he's been here before. He's not playing like a rookie. He is going to be very good, he's special.

The Cowboys still should look for another veteran option. Again: It's the preseason. Prescott might end up being a good quarterback -- he certainly has the talent -- but he wasn't exactly getting the full kitchen sink thrown at him by Gregg Williams and the Rams' defense Saturday.

Still, an extremely impressive debut, one that should give Jer-rah plenty of reason to grin.

2. What a bunch of Mularkey

The Titans aren't projected to be a very good football team in 2016, with Vegas setting their over/under at 5.5 wins. But they could surprise some folks, and if they do it will be because Titans coach Mike Mularkey's "exotic smashmouth" offense ends up working.

The first results of this effort were extremely impressive, as both DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry spent Saturday night repeatedly gashing the Chargers defense.

Henry looked a little slimmer than he did while with Alabama, but he wasn't any less physical, as he showed on a beautiful-looking touchdown run.

Earlier in the game, Murray busted off a BIG run that was probably better than any single run he produced with the Eagles during the 2015 season.


Somewhere Chip Kelly is flying the double-bird high in the sky. But that run was a great example of what you want from Murray. Downhill, one-cut stuff from a single-back formation that lets Murray be the runner who dominated for the Cowboys in 2014.

No one thinks Mularkey and the Titans are going to win the Super Bowl this season. But if they're armed with a franchise quarterback in Marcus Mariota and a running game with two physical backs -- Murray and Henry ran for 167 yards and averaged over 10 yards per carry -- they're going to be better than anyone expects.

3. Red flag for the Rams

You don't want to read too much into a preseason performance, but the Rams' quarterback situation should be concerning. First off, Case Keenum started. That means he's ahead of Jared Goff on the depth chart.

Second, Goff wasn't very good. He went 4 of 9 for 38 yards and his second career attempt was a pass where he got rim-rocked and threw a lame-duck interception.

Third, and most importantly, Goff didn't come back in after halftime. Sean Mannion took over and finished out the game. It was an entirely confusing way to handle things if you're expecting your rookie quarterback to get as many reps as possible.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Goff suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder and he didn't want to risk hurting him more. Regardless, it might be a real surprise if Goff ended up starting Week 1.

4. Melvin Gordon is alive!

No, really, it's huge news that the Chargers running back is a living, breathing human. Gordon was a massive disappointment last year as a rookie, rushing for just 641 yards and only 3.5 yards per carry. Microfracture surgery in the offseason tempered any expectations for a bounce-back year, but his long touchdown reception from Philip Rivers might restore a little faith in a sophomore rebound.

The Chargers have two major question marks heading into this year: Will their talent-filled defense actually form a talented defense? And can they establish the run? Gordon is key to the latter, because otherwise San Diego is just operating a short passing offense. He obviously caught the ball here, but the idea of him being explosive is extremely enticing when you look at what the Chargers could have on offense this year.

5. Also alive: EJ Manuel (but maybe not Colts D)

The former Bills first-round pick, relegated to backup duty thanks to Tyrod Taylor's addition (and now extension) managed to sling a dime during the Bills' game against the Colts.


The reaction to this could be "who cares, it's EJ Manuel" and that's fine. But you could also say "hey the Colts defense is making EJ Manuel look good, that's a problem for the Colts" and you would be right.

Manuel is also important because Taylor isn't always someone who will remain healthy over the course of 16 games. It wouldn't be surprising at all to see EJ get some time under center during the regular season.

In related news, Cardale Jones, who fumbled his first snap, has an absolute howitzer.

6. The reawakening seems real in Seattle

Seahawks coaches and teammates have been raving about Christine Michael this offseason. From all accounts he's a different player than he was during his initial run with Seattle. Michael was drafted with a second-round pick by the Seahawks in 2013 but couldn't ever match his mental approach with his physical talents for the first two years with Seattle. He was released last year, bounced around to several potential teams and eventually landed back with the Seahawks after Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls went down.

He looked good in Week 17, setting everyone up for the hope he could breakout in 2016. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevel said Michael had a "reawakening" this offseason.

It showed Saturday, when the back ran seven times for 44 yards in the first quarter alone, looking explosive, confident and physical every time he touched the ball. Seattle's offensive line blocked well for Michael, but he picked up more yards than he was offered.

Rawls is the guy in Seattle, but his running style is violent and dangerous. Staying healthy over 16 games attacking defenders the way he does won't be easy. If Michael runs this season the way he ran Saturday, he will absolutely be a factor for this offense over the next few months.

7. Peters starts right where he left off

Reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Marcus Peters doesn't appear satisfied with a single great season. He made a statement early last year (Week 1) but he jumped out to a bigger statement in 2016 by picking off Russell Wilson near the end zone as the Seahawks were marching down the field.

It's a perfect example of playing smart defense and then using outstanding athleticism to drive on the ball and leap in front of a receiver.

8. *** Hail Mary Alert ***

Even though preseason games don't count and the score doesn't matter, it's still pretty awesome to see a quarterback bombing it down the field and hitting a Hail Mary to set up a 2-point conversion for a win. That's precisely what Trevone Boykin did for the Seahawks against the Chiefs, reminding everyone what an incredible player he was for TCU in college.

Boykin is not a perfect backup situation because of his inexperience, but I kind of love him for Seattle, since him subbing for Wilson doesn't require totally revamping the offense to work should the flip be necessary.

9. Los Angeles is ridiculous

No words necessary.

10. From deep downtown

Cairo Santos bombed a 58-yard field goal. As the NFL Twitter account notes, this is important for fantasy owners.

If you're one of those nerds who still uses kickers in fantasy leagues anyway.