Let’s all try to contain our excitement, but… football season is FINALLY here! Ok, I know it’s only preseason, but it’s still NFL football and a sign that the regular season is right around the corner.
Pre-season is a time to get a decent look at how teams form, which recruits look like they could be stars, and what the final rosters will be.
With a few new quarterbacks on the scene and some teams still refining their QB depth chart, it’s also time to see who will be starting at the start of the regular season.
Unlike the regular season, you’re probably not going to sit on the couch for 15 hours watching every preseason game you can get (although if you’re not passing judgment here), you might be wondering- be which matches you should catch. Thankfully, CBS Sports has the top five preseason games from Week 1 for you to watch.
Here’s an overview of why you should tune in (games listed in order of appearance):
Browns at Jaguars
Friday, August 12, 7 p.m.
TV: Regional (check local listings); Diffusion: Fubo TV
The Cleveland Browns haven’t had a smooth offseason, with their quarterback facing more than 20 sexual assault and misconduct allegations. Deshaun Watson is currently considering a recommended six-game ban, but the The NFL is appealing in hopes of instilling a full season ban.
The team announced that Watson should start in the opening game of the preseason, which will be the first game he’s played in nearly two years. With Watson’s regular season status unknown, the preseason might be the only look we have at Watson’s game for quite some time.
The Jaguars plan to play their starters enough to “get their feet wet,” head coach Doug Pederson said. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence didn’t play in the Hall of Fame game, so this is the first preseason look at the former first overall selection. Lawrence and the Jaguars are yet to find success, so it will be a big year for the 22-year-old.
Travis Etienne is also expected to get some playing time and after the running back’s impressive training camp performance, he is expected to have a stellar season.
Packers at 49ers
Friday, August 12, 8:30 p.m.
TV: NFL Network; Diffusion: Fubo TV
The Green Bay Packers won’t have Aaron Rodgers there, but there’s always some intrigue when it comes to quarterbacks on that side. We all remember the drama of the Packers trading to get quarterback Jordan Love and how it didn’t go too well with No. 12 and it will just be another time that Love can prove himself and his worth. in the league.
There’s no chance he’ll eclipse Rodgers in the near future, but seeing what he’s capable of is not only valuable in knowing if the Packers should ever default to their QB2, but also good to see if Love could be a starter elsewhere. the road.
The situation for the 49ers quarterback is a bit more complex. The team still has Jimmy Garoppolo, although everyone, including head coach Kyle Shanahan, believed he would be traded. The team will go with Trey Lance this season as a starter and he’s a player I’m very happy to see develop over the season.
I also want to keep a close eye on the offense around Lance, especially his wide group, who will be without tight end Jordan Matthews due to an ACL injury.
Panthers among commanders
Saturday, August 13, 1 p.m.
TV: Regional (check local listings); Diffusion: Fubo TV
The Carolina Panthers travel to FedEx Field on Saturday to face the Washington Commanders at 1 p.m.
Let’s first look at the Panthers, who now have quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was traded from the Cleveland Browns, in a quarterback competition with Sam Darnold. Mayfield is expected to win the starting role, but the quarterbacks are embracing the battle, with Mayfield saying it makes them both better at their jobs.
Head coach Matt Rhule said both quarterbacks will have a chance to play in the preseason opener and it will give a good look at who has the advantage and how big the gap is. between the two players.
Running back Christian McCaffrey is not expected to play in the preseason, after an injury-plagued career, so other running backs will have the chance to step in.
The Washington Commanders will play their first game under their new name, and if that’s not exciting enough, we might also see how quarterback Carson Wentz plays out on the team.
Wentz hasn’t had the best training camp, but head coach Ron Rivera says he’s not concerned about inaccuracies. Rivera also said Wentz will get a chance to play in the preseason game against the Panthers, and concern could escalate if the inaccuracies continue in a game setting.
Seahawks at Steelers
Saturday, August 13, 7 p.m.
TV: NFL Network; Diffusion: Fubo TV
The Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers are both entering their first seasons without their longtime quarterbacks. The Seahawks are now without Russell Wilson and instead have Drew Lock and Geno Smith battling for the top spot. Ben Roethlisberger retired, leaving Steelers Mitch Trubisky and rookie Kenny Pickett.
It will look different not seeing the veterans who have led the offense for so long throwing him down the field, but it gives the new generation of quarterbacks a chance to shine.
Pickett was the only quarterback picked in the first round of this year’s draft and the team is looking for him to be the QB of the future. I’m looking to see how he fits in on offense and how his game has changed from college to now after spending time in training camp to start getting acclimated to the NFL.
Smith will be the starting quarterback for the Seahawks in Week 1 of the preseason, but that doesn’t mean the starting job is definitely his. Despite being the expected starter for the year, Lock has made significant progress and head coach Pete Carroll is keeping his information close to the vest when it comes to his thoughts on how the competition will evolve.
Rams to Chargers
Saturday, August 13, 10 p.m.
TV: Regional (check local listings); Diffusion: Fubo TV
The Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers will face off at their shared stadium, with the Chargers listed as the home team at SoFi Stadium for this game.
Who isn’t curious to see what the defending champions look like this season? The Rams are coming off the peak of their Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals and appear to be the first team to repeat a championship since the New England Patriots did in 2003-04.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford will not play due to elbow pain, leaving John Wolford, Bryce Perkins and Luis Perez behind center. There’s also a good chance wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive end Aaron Donald won’t see playing time, but with such a deep roster, the team still has some solid players to support.
The Chargers are a team that has been so close to success since quarterback Justin Herbert took over and this could be the year they see a playoff spot. They are in what seems to be the toughest division in football, AFC West, and they will need all the stars they can get with such a challenge this year.
They lacked the pieces to succeed and although Herbert excelled, the team around him struggled to leave them without an extended season. I want to see the depth of this team, because it will be important down the line. How the defense fares against a top team like the Rams will speak volumes.
