NFL preseason schedule for Week 1, game start dates and times – NBC New York

Say goodbye to the offseason – it’s time for football.

After months of no games, NFL players are finally taking the field in uniform starting this week for the preseason. Not all stars will be in action for Week 1 of exhibition games, but it’ll be the first chance to see some of the top rookies in action. Also on display will be the NFL’s new rules for the 2025 season — a tweaked kickoff, Hawk-Eye virtual measurements and expanded replay assist.

Before the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys kick things off on NBC and Peacock next month, there are 48 preseason games — and roster cuts — to get through.

Here’s what to know entering the first week of action:

When does the NFL preseason start?

The preseason technically began with the Hall of Fame Game on July 31, when the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Detroit Lions in Canton, Ohio.

But the preseason schedule began in earnest Thursday night, with the first games of Week 1. There are three weeks of preseason, followed by a week off before the regular season gets underway Thursday, Sept. 4, on NBC and Peacock.

Preseason NFL schedule Week 1

The opening week of the preseason features eight games on national TV. Here’s the full Week 1 preseason schedule:

Thursday, Aug. 7

• Baltimore Ravens 24, Indianapolis Colts 16
• Philadelphia Eagles 34, Cincinnati Bengals 27
• Las Vegas Raiders 23, Seattle Seahawks 23

Friday, Aug. 8

Saturday, Aug. 9

Sunday, Aug. 10

The NFL will switch from traditional chain gangs to advanced camera technology, Sony’s hawk-eye system, as the primary method of measuring first downs for the upcoming season.

Which NFL games are on TV this week?

As previously mentioned, eight games will be available to watch nationally in Week 1 on NFL Network.

Here are the games airing on the league’s broadcast channel:

• Thursday: Colts-Ravens and Raiders-Seahawks
• Friday: Browns-Panthers
• Saturday: Giants-Bills, Texans-Vikings and Jets-Packers
• Sunday: Dolphins-Bears and Saints-Chargers

How to watch preseason NFL games

Aside from the national games on NFL Network, you can also watch preseason games locally on each team’s TV affiliate network in your market. Live out-of-market preseason games are available to watch with NFL+.

NFL Sunday Ticket, which is used during the regular season, does not apply to the preseason.

Here’s what we know so far about the 2025 NFL schedule, which includes seven global games for the first time in league history.

NFL starters playing in preseason 2025

With just three games to get ready for the regular season, teams have mixed philosophies on the preseason.

Some teams, like the Rams, never play their starters in any preseason games. Others play their starters in select games for certain amounts of time, depending on the situation.

Many coaches are starting to reveal their early plans for starters in the preseason. Here’s a roundup of what starters will or won’t play in Week 1, as of Wednesday, Aug. 6:

• Titans: No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward will play in every preseason game, including a series or two in Week 1, coach Brian Callahan said.
• Browns: Rookie Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback for Cleveland’s preseason opener, coach Kevin Stefanski said.
• Ravens: Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry will not play in Baltimore’s preseason opener, coach John Harbaugh said.
• Bengals: Starters, including quarterback Joe Burrow, will play “several series” in Cincinnati’s preseason opener, coach Zac Taylor said. Starters will see their most playing time in Week 2, he added.
• Colts: Anthony Richardson will start at quarterback in Indianapolis’ preseason opener, followed by Daniel Jones in Week 2, coach Shane Steichen said.
• Patriots: Coach Mike Vrabel said he expects most healthy players to play in New England’s preseason opener.
• Commanders: Jayden Daniels will not play in Washington’s preseason opener, coach Dan Quinn siad.
• Cardinals: Starters, including quarterback Kyler Murray, will play in Arizona’s preseason opener, coach Jonathan Gannon said.
• Jaguars: Starters, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence, will play in Jacksonville’s preseason opener, coach Liam Coen said. Rookie Travis Hunter will get snaps at both wide receiver and cornerback.
• Raiders: “Everybody’s live, everybody’s ready to go,” coach Pete Carroll said when asked about playing starters in Week 1.
• Panthers: Starters, including quarterback Bryce Young, will play in Carolina’s first two preseason games, coach Dave Canales said.
• Saints: Running back Alvin Kamara will not play in New Orleans’ preseason opener.
• Bills: Josh Allen will not play in Buffalo’s preseason opener, coach Sean McDermott said.
• Packers: Starters, including quarterback Jordan Love, will play in Green Bay’s preseason opener, coach Matt LaFleur said. Malik Willis will likely get the most playing time at QB.
• Chiefs: Patriots Mahomes will play the first quarter in Kansas City’s preseason opener, coach Andy Reid said.
• Jets: Starters, including quarterback Justin Fields, will play in New York’s preseason opener, coach Aaron Glenn said.
• Steelers: Many starters, including Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf, will not play in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener, coach Mike Tomlin said.