The first official week of the 2022 NFL preseason is here. We already have two games less after Thursday night, which means there are 14 to go this weekend. That’s 28 teams in action over the next three days. We’ve got a handy guide for you in the space below, with start times and TV schedules, plus what you should look for in each competition.
Friday August 12
Falcons to Lions
Time: 6 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
There will be two top-10 picks in action in this game, with Falcons wide receiver Drake London and Lions rusher Aidan Hutchinson taking the field for their first preseason action. We’ll also likely see a bunch of Atlanta third-round picks in quarterback Desmond Ridder. Many scenes from this game will probably end up in next week’s edition of hard knocksso it’s worth keeping an eye on as well.
Browns at Jaguars
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: NFL+, check local rosters
Jacksonville played in the Hall of Fame Game last week, but almost none of the first-team players saw action. The starters — including Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne — are expected to play a couple sets in this one. We’ll also get another look at No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker, who picked up a sack against the Raiders in the preseason opener. For Cleveland, we should watch out for a decision in Deshaun Watson’s appeal, as Cleveland has indicated he will start this game, but if he receives a one-year suspension, he would not be eligible to play.
Cardinals at the Bengals
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: NFL+, check local rosters
It looks like half of Arizona’s offense is on injury report, so the players to watch on that side of the ball are likely running backs Eno Benjamin and Keaontay Ingram. Tight end Trey McBride may or may not be able to adapt. Arizona also has a few third-round pass rushers set to make their respective debuts in Myjai Sanders and Cameron Thomas. With Jessie Bates still not in the Bengals’ camp, it’s certainly worth keeping an eye out for first-round pick Dax Hill, who could be in contention for an important regular-season role if Bates doesn’t return to the fold before the end. start of the season.
Eagle Jets
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: NFL+, check local rosters
The Jets are expected to play their starters for the 1-2 series, which means there are a whole bunch of players to watch here, including Zach Wilson, Bryce Hall, Michael Carter, Elijah Moore and Garrett Wilson. Denzel Mims could be a trade target for other teams, so if he shows up, that could help the Jets as well. On the other side of the ball, rookie Sauce Gardner and Jermaine Johnson should also see action. Nick Sirianni didn’t commit to how much action his starters would see, but any snaps featuring Jalen Hurts with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith on the court should be interesting, as should the rotation of running backs from the team with the first team. Oh, and Jordan Davis pushing the New York pocket is something to watch.
Packers at 49ers
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Jordan Love and Trey Lance are the ones to watch, as long as they’re there. Plus, Packers rookies Romeo Doubs, Devonte Wyatt, and Quay Walker and San Francisco running back rotation with the first offensive team.
Saturday August 13
Chefs at Bears
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: NFL+, NFL Network
Andy Reid said the starters will play the first quarter of this game, so all eyes will be on Kansas City’s wide receiver rotation while Patrick Mahomes is under center. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman… who gets snaps and where do they line up? Matt Eberflus indicated his starters will also have time, so keep an eye out for Justin Fields and the offensive line ahead of him.
Panthers among commanders
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: NFL+, check local rosters
This one’s easy: Who gets the first-team action under the Panthers’ center, and can Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold separate themselves from the other in the quarterbacks competition?
Foals at Bills
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Indianapolis plans to play its starters in the first quarter, so the new offense with Matt Ryan under center will be something to watch. Keep an eye on who gets the start at left tackle, as well as the snap distribution between receivers after Michael Pittman. Josh Allen is unlikely to play here, so it’s probably best to keep an eye on the other side of the ball, and in particular the Buffalo cornerback situation. Rookies Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford could see action.
Seahawks at Steelers
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Geno Smith or Drew Lock? Mitchell Trubisky or Mason Rudolph (or Kenny Pickett)? Plus, Seattle rookie offensive linemen Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, and rookie running back Kenneth Walker. Steelers rookies George Pickens and Calvin Austin III are also set to see their first preseason action.
Dolphins at Buccaneers
Time: 7:30 p.m.
TV: NFL+, check local rosters
Any discussion surrounding the outrageous Tom Brady-to-the-Dolphins rumors, even though Brady won’t be there for that game as he’s away from the team and tending to personal business. With Brady out, we’ll likely see a band of Blaine Gabbert and Kyle Trask. Keep an eye on center Robert Hainsey if he adapts, as he will be relied upon to replace Ryan Jensen at center. What Mike McDaniel’s offense looks like in Miami will be fascinating to watch, even if Tua Tagovailoa is not expected to play.
Saints Among Texans
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: NFL+, check local rosters
New Orleans has two coaches in new roles with former defensive coordinator Dennis Allen taking over as head coach, and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael inheriting play calling duties from Sean Payton. Rookies Chris Olave and Trevor Penning should see some action, and it’s worth watching running backs Tony Jones Jr. and Abram Smith, in case either or both are in a rush to act in the event of a suspension of Alvin Kamara. Unfortunately, Houston’s first-round picks Derek Stingley and Kenyon Green aren’t expected to play. However, Davis Mills is expected to take action and it will be interesting to see what he looks like before Year Two.
Cowboys at the Broncos
Time: 9 p.m. ET
TV: NFL+, NFL Network
Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott won’t play in this one, and it’s likely CeeDee Lamb, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and many of Dallas’ defensive starters won’t either. Therefore, attention should be focused on first-round pick Tyler Smith on the offensive line, as well as the team’s young receivers, including third-round pick Jalen Tolbert and undrafted free agent Dennis. Houston. Nathaniel Hackett has yet to comment on whether or not Russell Wilson and the rest of Denver’s starters will play against Dallas, but how different his offense is from his predecessor, as well as Ejiro Evero’s defensive structure, should be. paid. Pay attention to.
Rams to Chargers
Time: 10 p.m. ET
TV: NFL+, check local rosters
These are two of the teams giving their starters the least amount of preseason action, so we’ll mainly be looking at which players from the lower roster show up and give themselves a chance to make the 53-man roster.
Sunday August 14
Vikings at Raiders
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
After last week, I guess we have to be careful about the Raiders backfield and how snaps are distributed between Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, Ameer Abdullah, Zamir White and Brandon Bolden. Plus, there’s the Derek Carr-to-Davante Adams connection, if they end up playing. Vikings quarterback Kellen Mond will likely see his run extended as he tries to endear himself to new coach Kevin O’Connell more than he did to Mike Zimmer. Minnesota rookie defensive backs Andrew Booth Jr., Lewis Cine and Akayleb Evans are also worth watching.
