Winners and losers of preseason: All aboard the hype train for the Cowboys and a 49ers rookie. Meanwhile, be concerned about the Falcons and Packers

Yahoo Sports analysts have assessed the winners and losers of the 2026 NFL preseason, with the Dallas Cowboys and an unnamed San Francisco 49ers rookie emerging as standout performers generating significant hype heading into Week 1. Conversely, the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers are flagged as teams raising concern after their preseason showings. The article, published on August 31, 2026, offers a broader evaluation of which franchises are inspiring confidence and which are not as the regular season approaches.