The best week of the NFL preseason is here. Teams will actually attempt to look good and make the first half of these games count in the “dress rehearsal” performances seen in the third week of preseason action. Starters will play for about a full half of these games, if not a bit more. So if you’re craving football, you’ll see some creative play calling and more starters than we’ve seen in any preseason game yet this year.
For the third week in a row, we’re ranking each game happening this weekend. Thursday night already graced us with the Super Bowl champion Eagles taking on the Hue Jackson-led Browns. The game ended with Cleveland beating Philadelphia by a score of 5-0. Just like you guessed, right?
Here’s what’s on deck for the rest of the week. Games on national TV have their network listed below, all others are only available in local markets.
1. Patriots vs. Panthers (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
There have been endless Patriots headlines this offseason about changes in New England and that continued this week when wide receiver Kenny Britt was released, despite the team’s claim that they were high on Britt early in the offseason. The Panthers have already seen a number of injuries hit so they’ll be looking to stay healthy in this matchup and impress in the process.
2. Broncos vs. Washington (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Two teams facing off with new starting quarterbacks will make this game an interesting one. The Broncos acquired Case Keenum in free agency and Washington traded for Alex Smith at the start of the offseason. How will each team look with their new leaders under center?
3. Bengals vs. Bills (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET; FOX)
There are a few reasons why this game is going to be fun. Rookie quarterback Josh Allen is starting the game for the Bills and looking to prove he can be the team’s Week 1 starter. Also, the Bengals helped end the Bills’ 17-year playoff drought last season, and now Andy Dalton is a massive celebrity in Buffalo, probably more so than he is in Cincinnati. He’s expected to get a standing ovation — and then some — upon taking the field in Buffalo. The Bengals and Bills also swapped multiple players this year including QB AJ McCarron (who won’t play due to a shoulder injury), C Russell Bodine (who the Bills signed in free agency), LB Preston Brown (who the Bengals signed in free agency), and LT Cordy Glenn (who the Bengals traded for prior to the draft).
4. Texans vs. Rams (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET)
Two teams with young, on-the-rise quarterbacks, the Texans vs. Rams game could be worth watching if you have nothing to do on Saturday afternoon. Deshaun Watson flashed last week against the 49ers and will look to build on that as he makes his comeback from 2017 ACL surgery. Jared Goff has a bevy of skill players to utilize and he’ll look to get them busy in the first half on Saturday. This should be a fun matchup, though some Rams starters will not play.
5. Seahawks vs. Vikings (Friday, 8 p.m. ET)
The Seahawks are undergoing a major change on defense after losing nearly all of the Legion of Boom this offseason for varying reasons. The Vikings have a new quarterback in Kirk Cousins who’s looking to finally make use of Laquon Treadwell. There’s also hope that Dalvin Cook will make his preseason debut this week after missing the majority of his rookie year with a torn ACL.
6. Giants vs. Jets (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold continues his quest to start for the Jets in Week 1 but No. 2 overall pick Saquon Barkley won’t play as he battles through a hamstring injury. It’s New York vs. New York in their annual third week of the preseason meeting. The defensive position battles will be among the things to watch for the Giants. Jets QB Teddy Bridgewater’s play will also be something to monitor as other teams keep their eye on him for a potential trade.
7. Chiefs vs. Bears (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET; NFL Network)
Give us more Patrick Mahomes! Last week, the second-year QB threw what would have been the longest touchdown pass of the 2017 season… Except it was thrown in the 2018 preseason. As for Bears, Mitchell Trubisky will be looking to impress in the third preseason game after two sub-par outings. On defense, the Bears aren’t expected to have rookie linebacker Roquan Smith just yet.
8. 49ers vs. Colts (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET)
Jimmy Garoppolo had a nice outing last week, though he did throw an interception. Andrew Luck is fully healthy, but played an inconsistent game in the second week of the preseason, going 6/13 for 50 yards and 1 interception. He’ll be looking to do better this week.
9. Falcons vs. Jaguars (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET)
According to Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey, Falcons QB Matt Ryan is “overrated” and was a “complete bust” in 2017. How will Ramsey do fresh off a preseason suspension when facing Ryan? That will be one thing to watch in this game. Atlanta’s rookie WR Calvin Ridley has been having a strong preseason and watching him alongside Julio Jones is certainly entertaining.
10. Cardinals vs. Cowboys (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET; NBC)
The Cowboys are struggling through injury after injury along the offensive line and Dak Prescott may have trouble staying upright in this game. In fact, the Cowboys might be too scared to play him at all. The injury bug is biting hard. The Cardinals are another team with a new quarterback this year. They signed Sam Bradford in free agency and selected Josh Rosen in the first round of the draft. Rosen got banged up in practice this week, but is expected to still play (likely in the second half). He was at Thursday’s practice.
11. Packers vs. Raiders (Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET; NFL Network)
The Packers cut Jordy Nelson this offseason, creating more than $10 million in cap space. And where did Aaron Rodgers’ former target land? With Green Bay’s preseason Week 3 opponent, the Raiders. He’ll be looking to prove he’s jiving with Derek Carr and the Oakland offense. Meanwhile, the Packers will be looking to show they’re doing just fine without him.
12. Saints vs. Chargers (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET; CBS)
Two of the best quarterbacks in the league (both in the 36+ group) and former teammates Drew Brees and Philip Rivers face off with just about nothing on the line. “I like to think that for those two years we brought out the best in each other,” Brees told NOLA.com this week. ”It was a great learning experience for both of us, and I think we both got a lot better as a result of it.” Meanwhile, the Chargers continue to get hit by injuries and their defense will be tested by Brees. The backup QB competition is also of interest as Geno Smith looks to cement his spot ahead of Cardale Jones on LA’s depth chart.
13. Titans vs. Steelers (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET; NFL Network)
Ben Roethlisberger will finally make his preseason debut when these 2017 AFC playoff teams meet on Saturday. He likely won’t play for too long, but the Steelers do have a backup QB battle worth watching. The Titans will be looking for revenge when returning to Heinz Field after Pittsburgh trampled over them in a November 2017 meeting.
14. Ravens vs. Dolphins (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET)
Dolphins first round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick is having a strong preseason as he looks to become an impact player on defense. At quarterback, Ryan Tannehill will continue his comeback from ACL surgery after a nice performance last week. As for the Miami backup quarterback competition, Brock Osweiler is on the chopping block again, as is Bryce Petty. For the Ravens, offensive line battles are among the things to watch and Lamar Jackson should entertain in the second half … if you make it that far into this game.
15. Lions vs. Buccaneers (Friday, 8: p.m. ET; CBS)
Lions fans aren’t hoping for much in this game. They’d like to see Matthew Stafford lead Detroit to a touchdown. They’d also like to see the defense get a sack after failing to notch one yet this preseason. The wide receiver battle in Tampa Bay is of interest as Chris Goodwin looks to climb ahead of DeSean Jackson on the depth chart. Ryan Fitzpatrick will continue to build up his chemistry with the team’s weapons as he prepares to start during Jameis Winston’s suspension.
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Tweet of the Day
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