Preseason games are humming right along, and it’ll be the 2024 regular season before we know it. The Hall of Fame Game and the first week of preseason are in the books — big plays are boosting morale, while some injuries are already eating into teams’ depth charts.
If playing time patterns hold true, football fans should see bigger names in the second week of the preseason taking snaps. Timing is so vital in offensive success, so these preseason reps help to establish the nuanced timing that each play demands.
Here is everything you need to know to watch your favorite team’s preseason action and let pigskin fever reenter your immune system.
How To Watch NFL Preseason Games
Viewers have a few options to watch NFL preseason games. NFL Network will broadcast several preseason games this year. In addition, you can use streaming services such as Vidgo and FuboTV to live stream any of the local or national preseason contests.
NFL+, the NFL’s mobile and tablet streaming service, will also air preseason games. Each matchup will also be available for replay on NFL Game Pass through NFL+ Premium.
This year, some games will be played on Amazon, FOX, ABC, and ESPN. Below are the games that will be televised.
NFL Preseason Schedule: Hall of Fame Game
Thursday, Aug. 1
Bears vs. Texans (Canton, Ohio) | 8 p.m. ET ESPN, ABC, Fubo
Bears 21, Texans 17
NFL Preseason Schedule 2024: Week 1
Thursday, Aug. 8
Patriots vs. Panthers | 7 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Patriots 17, Panthers 3
Friday, Aug. 9
Steelers vs. Texans | 7 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Texans 20, Steelers 12
Saturday, Aug. 10
Bills vs. Bears | 1 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Vikings vs. Raiders | 4 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Jaguars vs. Chiefs | 7 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Bears 33, Bills 6
Vikings 24, Raiders 23
Jaguars 26, Chiefs 13
Sunday, Aug. 11
Colts vs. Broncos | 1 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Rams vs. Cowboys | 4:30 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Broncos 34, Colts 30
Rams 13, Cowboys 12
NFL Preseason Schedule 2024: Week 2
Thursday, Aug. 15
Patriots vs. Eagles | 7 p.m. NFL Network, Fubo
Saturday, Aug. 17
Bears vs. Bengals | 1 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Texans vs. Giants | 1 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Steelers vs. Bills | 7 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Raiders vs. Cowboys | 10 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Sunday, Aug. 18
Broncos vs. Packers | 8 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
49ers vs. Saints | 8 p.m. ET | FOX, Fubo
NFL Preseason Schedule 2024: Week 3
Thursday, Aug. 22
Bengals vs. Colts | 8 p.m. ET | Prime Video
Chiefs vs. Bears | 8:20 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Friday, Aug. 23
Falcons vs. Jaguars | 7 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Raiders vs. 49ers | 10 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Saturday, Aug. 24
Lions vs. Steelers | 1 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Cowboys vs. Chargers | 4 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Jets vs. Giants | 7:30 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Seahawks vs. Browns | 10 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Sunday, Aug. 25
Saints vs. Titans | 2:30 p.m. ET | NFL Network, Fubo
Broncos vs. Cardinals | 4 p.m. ET | CBS, Fubo
Commanders vs. Patriots | 8 p.m. ET | NBC, Fubo
How Many NFL Preseason Games Are There?
In 2021, the NFL expanded the regular season to 17 games and reduced the preseason from four games to three.
The 2024 slate will feature 49 preseason games (counting the Hall of Fame Game). The complete preseason schedule is available here.
When Is the First 2024 NFL Preseason Game?
The NFL preseason always kicks off with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. This game has been played since 1962, and it’s held on the same weekend as the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
This year, the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears traveled to Canton. For the first time in the game’s 52-year history, the 2024 Hall of Fame Game was broadcast on ESPN. Previously, the game was broadcast on NBC.
MORE: Simulate the NFL Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
This was Chicago’s seventh appearance in the Hall of Fame Game. The last time the Bears participated in the game was 2018, which was a 17-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
As for Houston, this was the franchise’s second appearance in the Hall of Fame Game. The Texans last competed in the game in 2002, which was its first season in the NFL after being added as an expansion team. The Texans lost, 34-17, to the New York Giants.
When Does the 2024 NFL Preseason End?
The NFL preseason will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Ever since the NFL transitioned to a three-week preseason schedule, teams now receive a full week off before the regular season begins.
The 2024 regular-season opener will take place on Thursday, Sept. 5, with the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Ravens in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game.
After the final preseason game, NFL teams will have 48 hours to trim their roster to the approved 53-man limit. This year, the NFL’s roster cutdown deadline is Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. ET.
For many years, the league deployed the following schedule:
- First cutdown deadline: rosters reduced from 90 to 85 players
- Second cutdown deadline: rosters reduced from 85 to 80 players
- Third cutdown deadline: rosters reduced from 80 to 53 players
Now, there’s only one roster cutdown deadline, meaning a bevy of players will hit the free agent mark simultaneously. It foreshadows a frenetic time of teams evaluating their own depth and taking calculated risks on free agents.