After a long wait, Week 1 of the 2021 NFL preseason is here, but what is the schedule for the first full weekend of football since the Super Bowl? Let’s take a look at the schedule and some of the intriguing storylines to watch this week.
Week 1 NFL preseason schedule
What is the schedule for Week 1 of the 2021 NFL preseason?
Thursday, August 12
Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles | 7:30 PM | Local
Washington Football Team at New England Patriots | 7:30 PM | NFLN
Friday, August 13
Tennessee Titans at Atlanta Falcons | 7 PM | Local
Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions | 7 PM | NFLN
Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals | 10 PM | NFLN
Saturday, August 14
Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears | 1 PM | NFLN
Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings | 4 PM | NFLN
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens | 7 PM | Local
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars | 7 PM | NFLN
New York Jets at New York Giants | 7:30 PM | Local
Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7:30 PM | Local
Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers | 8 PM | Local
Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers | 8:30 PM | Local
Seattle Seahawks at Las Vegas Raiders | 9 PM | Local
Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams | 10 PM | NFLN
Sunday, August 15
Carolina Panthers at Indianapolis Colts | 1 PM | NFLN
National TV schedule for Week 1 of the 2021 NFL preseason
If you do not have access to all of the games broadcast on local markets, then the games on NFL Network in Week 1 of the NFL preseason schedule are of most interest to you. Here is the list of the games on NFL Network and when you can catch them.
Washington at Patriots | Thu 12 | 7:30 PM
Bills at Lions | Fri 13 | 7 PM
Cowboys at Cardinals | Fri 13 | 10 PM
Dolphins at Bears | Sat 14 | 1 PM
Broncos at Vikings | Sat 14 | 4 PM
Browns at Jaguars | Sat 14 | 7 PM
Chargers at Rams | Sat 14 | 10 PM
Panthers at Colts | Sun 15 | 1 PM
Storylines to watch this week
There is not usually a lot that gets decided in Week 1 of the NFL preseason schedule, but narratives can start to form. Let’s take a look at some of the potential storylines that could shape the weekend.
Cam Newton or Mac Jones?
The job in New England is supposedly up for grabs, and we will get a glimpse into that in Week 1. The Washington defense is loaded with top-end talent, but it is also deep. Therefore, even playing the second-string will be an interesting test for both Cam Newton and Mac Jones. As we said, likely nothing will be decided this week, but we could see one side building some support from fans and the media.
Justin Fields’ time to shine?
Perhaps the most anticipated debut of the preseason is that of Justin Fields. Matt Nagy and the Bears seem to be set on Andy Dalton being the Week 1 starter. Again, Fields is not going to change that in one week of preseason action, but he could kick the wheels in motion. A dominant performance against the Dolphins will increase the discussions around the Bears’ training camp.
The QB battle in Denver
The intriguing QB battle brewing in Denver between Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock is one of the potential highlights on the Week 1 NFL preseason schedule. They have both had their ups and downs in their NFL careers, and now they are competing for one job. If one of them can get a grasp on the position, they have a talented group of receivers around them.
The first look at the rookie QBs
Fields and Jones are not the only rookie quarterbacks who will be on display this week. While the true excitement around Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson will come when they take the field in the regular season, both franchises will be apprehensive to see their new stars.
However, it is the potential debut of Trey Lance that will likely generate the most excitement of the three. With Jimmy Garoppolo expected to open the season as the starter in San Francisco, can Lance apply some pressure with strong preseason performances?
Ben Rolfe is a Senior Managing Editor at Pro Football Network and is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA). You can find him on Twitter @BenRolfePFN.