The NFL’s preseason schedule continues this week with Week 2. What does today’s Friday Night Football slate have in store?
Is there Friday Night Football tonight?
There are several games on the schedule for Friday night. Let’s take a look at each of them.
Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV channel: NFL Network
Live stream: Paramount+, Vidgo, fuboTV, NFL+
These two franchises have held joint practices all week, and sparks have been flying. Fights broke out on Tuesday and Wednesday, much to the chagrin of head coaches Bill Belichick and Matt Rhule.
Meanwhile, Pro Football Network CEO Matt Cannata attended both days of practice with his eyes set on the QBs, specifically the QB competition between Panthers’ signal-callers Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. The competition looks to be all but over, with Mayfield commanding a solid lead. Once Mayfield is named the starter, what will this mean for the future of Darnold’s career in Carolina?
New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV channel: Local
Live stream: fuboTV, NFL+
Both the Packers and Saints dropped their preseason opener with both offenses struggling. The Saints turned the ball over three times and saw six drives end with a punt. Meanwhile, Packers QB Jordan Love got off to a rocky start tossing three interceptions to two touchdowns against the 49ers in Week 1.
The Packers will continue to test Love this preseason, as they attempt to diagnose his ability to be the long-term replacement for Aaron Rodgers. Love’s consistency must first be addressed if he wants to be that answer. Additionally, Green Bay will continue to test its new group of WRs following the losses of Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown this offseason.
Similarly, the Saints will continue their quest to replace long-time left tackle Terron Armstead. New Orleans intends on having 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning slide into that role, but he’s currently sharing snaps with veteran James Hurst. This Friday Night Football game is full of positional battles to watch.
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
Time: 10 p.m. ET
TV channel: NFL Network
Live stream: Paramount+, Vidgo, fuboTV, NFL+
From two teams who lost their preseason opener to two that won, these franchises sit on opposite sides of the NFL’s spectrum. While Matthew Stafford continues his progression back from the tendinitis in his elbow, QB Bryce Perkins played well in his opportunity, scoring three total touchdowns in Week 1.
Between Perkins’ success this preseason and Stafford’s progression, the Rams waived former New Jersey Generals QB Luis Perez. This decision looks to be a vote of confidence in the current status of the QB room.
Meanwhile, the Texans continue their rebuild. Rookie RB Dameon Pierce looked as advertised in Houston’s matchup against the Saints last week. While he rushed for just 49 yards, he only touched the ball five times and still led the offense. If Pierce continues to show this potential, he should easily slide into the backup slot behind Marlon Mack.
2022 NFL preseason Week 2 schedule
With the Friday Night Football schedule out of the way, what does the rest of the Week 2 preseason slate look like?
Saturday, Aug. 20
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills
1 p.m. | NFL Network
Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts
1 p.m. | Local
Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs
4 p.m. | NFL Network
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tennessee Titans
7 p.m. | NFL Network
Las Vegas Raiders at Miami Dolphins
7 p.m. | Local
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings
7 p.m. | Local
Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars
7 p.m. | Local
Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers
10 p.m. | NFL Network
Sunday, Aug. 21
Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns
1 p.m. | NFL Network
Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants
7 p.m. | NFL Network
Baltimore Ravens at Arizona Cardinals
8 p.m. | FOX
Monday, Aug. 22
Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets
8 p.m. | ESPN
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