Key takeaways from the 2021 NFL preseason: Winston emerges as NOLA's Week 1 starter

Following a year when exhibition play was completely canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL introduced a shorter, three-week preseason, which reached its conclusion Sunday.

Let's examine five key takeaways from the 2021 preseason, as we look ahead to the regular-season kickoff between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 9.

Winston, Bridgewater named starting quarterbacks

Two of the primary quarterback battles that took place during the 2021 preseason have been settled.

On Friday, the New Orleans Saints announced Jameis Winston as their Week 1 starter, over dual-threat utility player Taysom Hill.

Winston served as a backup to Drew Brees last season and completed 16 of his 22 passes for 219 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception across two preseason games. Saturday's preseason finale was cancelled because of Hurricane Ida.

Hill completed 19 of his 32 passes for 219 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

In Denver, the competition between Drew Lock and offseason acquisition Teddy Bridgewater was "really damn close," according to head coach Vic Fangio.

In the end, Bridgewater (who started for Carolina last season) gained a slight edge over Lock. In Saturday's 17-12 win against the Los Angeles Rams, he completed six of his 11 passes for 62 yards and a score to receiver Courtland Sutton, who made his return from a torn ACL.

Bridgewater has four straight preseason games with at least one passing touchdown and no interceptions.

Rookies Jones, Lance make case for Week 1 start

At one point in the offseason, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan insisted Jimmy Garoppolo would remain his team's starter, instead of 2021 No. 3 overall draft pick Trey Lance.

Now, Shanahan is playing coy about who will start the season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 12.

In Sunday's preseason victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, Shanahan rotated between Garoppolo and Lance through the first few drives of the half. The result of his turnstile approach was one rushing touchdown apiece for both QBs and an explosion on the ground from running back Raheem Mostert.

Lance took significantly more snaps than Garoppolo in the preseason and may win the Week 1 start, but it's also possible the Niners plan to employ a two-quarterback system.

In New England, Cam Newton was initially expected to start for the Patriots, but rookie Mac Jones put together an impressive enough preseason performance to force Bill Belichick to reconsider his depth chart. 

Following Jones' 156-yard, one-touchdown outing Sunday, Belichick told reporters, "We still have a lot of decisions to make."

Ravens lose Dobbins in historic preseason win

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has not lost a preseason matchup since 2016. In Saturday's 37-3 onslaught of Washington, his team collected its 20th straight victory, the longest preseason win streak for any NFL team since 1994.

The historic mark was marred, however, when second-year running back J.K. Dobbins exited the game with a knee injury in the first quarter.

On Sunday, an MRI confirmed he tore his ACL, which will keep the young star out for the entire 2021 season.

Dobbins ranked second on the team, behind quarterback Lamar Jackson, in rushing yards (805) last season and led the Ravens in rushing scores (nine).

His absence makes Gus Edwards the primary back in Baltimore, which is a slight favorite over the Cleveland Browns to win the AFC North.

Colts offense takes another hit, while defense takes flight

The Indianapolis Colts were another team that suffered an injury blow in Week 3 of the preseason.

Rookie quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who has been in battle with Jacob Eason for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, left Friday's contest with a knee injury, which will cause him to miss five to six weeks of the regular season.

Eason could be the Week 1 starter for Indianapolis, if Carson Wentz is still out with a foot injury.

On top of Ehlinger's setback, receiver T.Y. Hilton reaggravated a neck injury in practice last week and will be sidelined for the season opener.

While the offense has endured a string of bad luck, the bright spot for Indy has been its defense and the production of first-round draft pick Kwity Paye. In limited preseason action, the former Michigan defensive end tallied two sacks in two games and four total tackles, including one tackle for loss.

New weapon emerges for reigning Super Bowl champ

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers already know who their starters are for the 2021 season, since they returned all 22 from last year's Super Bowl-winning roster.

Nonetheless, rookie outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka could end up with a huge chunk of playing time on a jam-packed roster.

Currently behind Shaquil Barrett on the depth chart, Tryon-Shoyinka tallied five total tackles, a strip sack, and a tackle for loss in Saturday's win over Houston. He also sacked Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Barkley in Week 2 of the preseason. 

The Bucs are a +300 favorite to come out of the NFC and the second choice to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVI.

Only the Kansas City Chiefs own lower odds to win the championship, but Tryon-Shoyinka's boost to an already dangerous defense could help sway those odds by midseason.