With the first 14 games of Week 1 of the 2023 NFL preseason in the books, who plays in the final two NFL games today? Thirty teams have taken the field over the last three days, and four still have to make their preseason debuts. Here’s everything needed to watch the Week 1 preseason Sunday action, including matchups, start times, and channels.
Want to catch up on all the action from the games played so far? Check out our updated winners, losers, and scores from preseason Week 1.
Are There Any Preseason NFL Games Today?
Four NFL teams kick off on Sunday afternoon in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL preseason. Week 1 of the preseason is the only slate that features two matchups on Sunday; Weeks 2 and 3 have just one game each. Let’s take a closer look at both matchups today.
Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints
- Start time: 1 p.m. ET
- Channel: NFL Network
After waiting the whole weekend, the reigning Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs finally make their 2023 preseason debut as they head down to the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Saints.
The Chiefs remain the team to beat after going to their fourth straight AFC Championship Game and playing in their third Super Bowl in four years. Meanwhile, the Saints hope to bounce back from a rough season in what looks to be the worst division in the NFL.
Like last season, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid shared his plans for the Chiefs’ first preseason tilt. While not expected to play long, QB Patrick Mahomes and the ones will start against the Saints, according to Reid.
This should be no surprise, as Reid did the same thing last preseason. After looking at the snap totals, though, Chiefs fans should not worry, as Mahomes only played 11 snaps in Week 1 of the preseason in 2022.
For New Orleans, however, expect the starters to see more action. The Saints continue their post-Drew Brees journey with a new man under center.
After deploying the likes of Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian, Ian Book, and Andy Dalton over the past two seasons, the Saints went out and signed Derek Carr this offseason. The 10th-year QB will suit up for his first preseason NFL game since 2019.
San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders
- Start time: 4 p.m. ET
- Channel: NFL Network
The final preseason game of the weekend sees the San Francisco 49ers traveling to Sin City to take on the Las Vegas Raiders. While it’s the last game of the weekend, the 49ers have made this one of the more intriguing games of the week.
After Jimmy Garroppolo signed with the Raiders this offseason, San Francisco was forced to make a choice: Start 2021 third-overall pick Trey Lance, who’s returning from an ankle injury he suffered in 2022, or stick with Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy, who is returning from a torn UCL he sustained in the NFC Championship Game.
So far, all the signs point to the 49ers going with the seventh-round draft pick over the third-overall pick. HC Kyle Shanahan told KNBR, a San Francisco AM radio station, that Lance would get the start in the preseason opener against the Raiders, with Sam Darnold coming in at some point for relief.
While this doesn’t banish Lance to backup duties, his chances at being QB1 are starting to dwindle without an impressive performance this preseason.
Unfortunately, the Raiders have left fans in the dark about what to expect in Las Vegas’ preseason opener as far as starters are concerned. However, they have plenty of intrigue off the field with WR Davante Adams’ lower leg injury and the ongoing holdout between the Raiders and RB Josh Jacobs.