Week 3 NFL Preseason Schedule: Scores, Matchups, TV Channels, Times, and More

August 24, 2023 | 9:12 AM EDT

The 2023 NFL preseason comes to an end this week. Here's the scores and how to watch all the NFL games in Week 3 of the NFL preseason.

Written By Zachary Knerr

One more week of games remains before the 2023 NFL regular season starts. Who plays in NFL preseason games this week? Week 3 of the preseason features a Thursday night doubleheader, three kickoffs on Friday, a stacked Saturday slate, and one final Sunday night matchup as a send-off. Here are the matchups for tonight, including the start times and TV channels.

NFL Preseason Week 3 Preview and TV Channels

Week 3 of the 2023 NFL preseason is the last Thursday with multiple NFL games until Thanksgiving. NFL fans will have to wait until November for more Friday action and December before the NFL kicks off on Saturday again.

With football scheduled for the next four days, how can you watch each game, what channel will they be featured on, and what time will they start?

Here’s a full breakdown of the Week 3 preseason schedule. As the week progresses, we will update every single score for each of the games played.

All eyes will be on the New York Jets as QB Aaron Rodgers finally plans to make his preseason debut. Expectations are at an all-time high in New York after the Jets acquired the four-time MVP, and this will be the first glimpse of the 39-year-old QB with the Gang Green.

Meanwhile, AFC East rivals, the Miami Dolphins, will continue to determine who will take hold of the WR3 position this week with a clogged receiver room behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Here’s the rest of the Week 3 preseason schedule.

Every NFL Score for Week 3 of the Preseason

Thursday, Aug. 24 | Steelers at Falcons

Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: NFL Network

The first game of the third week of the NFL preseason sees the Pittsburgh Steelers heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to take on the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons also have WR questions to answer this preseason.

Outside of Drake London and Mack Hollins, the receiving corps severely lacks experience. Who will take the spots behind the second-year and veteran wideouts? Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has looked fantastic this preseason, with the offense firing on all cylinders. Will they carry that explosiveness through Week 3 and into the preseason?

Colts at Eagles

Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Channel: Prime

The next Thursday night game features a tilt between the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Colts officially permitted RB Jonathan Taylor to seek a trade this week, and while that situation remains in limbo, Indianapolis has a roster to fill and has quite a few backs ready to take the RB1 spot.

Deon Jackson figures to take the slot until Zach Moss returns from a broken arm, but don’t count out Evan Hull, Jake Funk, or Kenyan Drake to make the most of this Week 3 opportunity to make the roster.

MORE: Colts vs. Eagles NFL Preseason Week 3 — Odds, Picks, and Predictions

After his monster contract this offseason, there’s no question QB Jalen Hurts will be the starter for the Eagles next season, but who will be behind him? Coming into the preseason, most people would’ve said Marcus Mariota, but it might end up being rookie QB Tanner McKee who’s lit up the 2023 preseason.

McKee has completed 20 of 38 passes for 295 yards and a touchdown but has outplayed all the veterans on the roster. Will the McKee magic continue Thursday night?

Friday, Aug. 25 | Lions at Panthers

Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS

Friday’s NFL Week 3 preseason action kicks off with the Detroit Lions going to Bank of America Stadium to take on the Carolina Panthers. After two straight weeks of intense joint practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Panthers, head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions feel confident in keeping the starters out all preseason.

This has given the second and third-string players plenty of opportunities to secure a roster spot, but will the lack of snaps result in a slow start to the season for Detroit?

HC Frank Reich and Carolina’s eyes will be on Matt Corral in the Panthers’ final preseason matchup. The QB depth seems set with first-overall pick Bryce Young starting and veteran Andy Dalton penned in for backup duties. Will Corral be able to secure a roster spot in the final week? With the new bylaw proposal passed this offseason, he has a chance.

New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans

Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Channel: NFL Network

The next Friday night game features a New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans showdown at Nissan Stadium. The Patriots have had a rough week after calling their last game short and canceling joint practices with the Titans due to Isaiah Bolden’s hospitalization. The rookie cornerback is with the team and recovering, with the Patriots ready to resume preseason activities against the Titans on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Tennessee will be eager to see another set of snaps from rookie QB Will Levis in preseason Week 3. It doesn’t appear Ryan Tannehill will take any snaps this preseason. After Levis missed the Week 2 preseason game against Minnesota with a lower body injury, expect the rookie to get plenty of snaps this week against the Patriots, should he play.

Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco 49ers

Start time: 10 p.m. ET
Channel: NFL Network

The final Friday night NFL game sees an intrastate battle between the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. After the 49ers’ latest announcement and Kyle Shanahan’s plan to play the starters, have we seen the last of QB Trey Lance in San Francisco?

Shanahan named Sam Darnold QB2, moving Lance down to the third spot on the roster. It seems more and more likely a trade is coming.

MORE: Best Running Backs in the NFL 2023

Last week’s moment in the spotlight seems to have been too much for Chargers QB Easton Stick. After splitting reps in Week 1 with rookie QB Max Duggan, Stick started all four quarters in Los Angeles’ 22-17 loss to the Saints. The fifth-year QB completed just 21 of his 41 passes for 233 yards and two interceptions. Will the Chargers give Duggan another shot in Week 3?