The NFL is gearing up for an exhilarating 2024 season, with the preseason giving fans a taste of the football action to come. All 32 teams have recently completed their first set of preseason games, setting the stage for what promises to be a riveting season ahead.
The Start of the Preseason
Week 1 of the preseason kicked off last Thursday, with two games opening the schedule on Thursday night. This was followed by two more matchups on Friday night. Saturday became a football marathon with nine matchups throughout the day, leading into a Sunday doubleheader to cap off the week. The NFL Hall of Fame Game, held on August 1, saw the Chicago Bears edge out the Houston Texans with a score of 21-17, igniting the pre-season excitement.
Week 2 Anticipations
As we look forward to Week 2, the Philadelphia Eagles are set to face off against the New England Patriots on Thursday night at 7 p.m., marking the start of another action-packed weekend. The Saturday lineup is particularly loaded, featuring matchups like the Atlanta Falcons taking on the Baltimore Ravens at noon and the Cincinnati Bengals squaring off against the Chicago Bears at 1 p.m. Additionally, the New York Giants will play the Houston Texans at 1 p.m., while the Detroit Lions clash with the Kansas City Chiefs at 4 p.m.
The excitement will continue with games like the Minnesota Vikings against the Cleveland Browns at 4:25 p.m., followed by a slew of 7 p.m. games including the New York Jets vs. the Carolina Panthers, the Arizona Cardinals vs. the Indianapolis Colts, the Washington Commanders vs. the Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Seattle Seahawks vs. the Tennessee Titans. Saturday night will also see the Los Angeles Rams up against the Los Angeles Chargers at 7:05 p.m., the Tampa Bay Buccaneers facing the Jacksonville Jaguars at 7:30 p.m., and finally the Dallas Cowboys battling the Las Vegas Raiders at 10 p.m. Week 2’s Sunday games feature the Green Bay Packers against the Denver Broncos at 8 p.m., and the New Orleans Saints vs. the San Francisco 49ers at 8 p.m.
Looking into Week 3
Shifting focus to Week 3, the preseason will commence with two Thursday night games. Fans can expect the Indianapolis Colts to challenge the Cincinnati Bengals at 8 p.m. and the Chicago Bears to contend with the Kansas City Chiefs at 8:20 p.m.
Friday night of Week 3 is set to be thrilling with three highly anticipated matchups. The Jacksonville Jaguars will face the Atlanta Falcons at 7 p.m., followed by the Miami Dolphins matching up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 7:30 p.m., and the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Las Vegas Raiders at 10 p.m.
Saturday’s lineup promises even more excitement. Kicking off at 1 p.m., the Carolina Panthers will meet the Buffalo Bills, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Detroit Lions, the Baltimore Ravens will go head-to-head with the Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Rams will play the Houston Texans, and the Minnesota Vikings will battle the Philadelphia Eagles. The late afternoon and evening will feature the Los Angeles Chargers vs. the Dallas Cowboys at 4 p.m., the New York Giants vs. the New York Jets at 7:30 p.m., and the Cleveland Browns vs. the Seattle Seahawks at 10 p.m.
Closing Out the Preseason
The final Sunday of the preseason will see three matchups: the Tennessee Titans against the New Orleans Saints at 2 p.m., the Arizona Cardinals facing the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m., and the New England Patriots taking on the Washington Commanders at 8 p.m.
As preseason continues, teams will refine their strategies, coaches will evaluate their rosters, and fans will catch glimpses of potential breakout stars. Though these games do not count toward the regular season standings, they are invaluable for setting the tone for the season to come. Enthusiasts should mark their calendars and prepare for another electrifying chapter in NFL history.