The anticipation is palpable as the 2024 NFL season draws near. With just a few weeks left before the official kickoff, fans have been treated to a taste of what’s to come through a series of preseason exhibition games. All 32 teams took to the field over the past few days, providing a glimpse of their potential for the upcoming season.
Week 1 Recap
Week 1 of the preseason began last Thursday with a pair of matchups that set the tone for an exciting weekend of football. The action continued into Friday night with two additional games, leading up to a packed Saturday schedule featuring nine matchups. The weekend concluded with a Sunday doubleheader, satisfying fans' football cravings.
A notable highlight of the preseason so far has been the NFL Hall of Fame Game on August 1. In a thrilling contest, the Chicago Bears emerged victorious, defeating the Houston Texans 21-17. This traditional game not only celebrated the newest inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame but also offered an early competitive glimpse of the Bears' determination this season.
Looking Ahead: Week 2
The excitement continues as Week 2 of the preseason approaches. Thursday night's showdown will see the Philadelphia Eagles traveling to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots, kicking off at 7 p.m. Football enthusiasts can expect a competitive game as both teams look to fine-tune their strategies before the regular season.
Saturday’s lineup promises a full day of action with a series of intriguing matchups:
- Atlanta Falcons vs. Baltimore Ravens at noon
- Cincinnati Bengals vs. Chicago Bears at 1 p.m.
- New York Giants vs. Houston Texans at 1 p.m.
- Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs at 4 p.m.
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns at 4:25 p.m.
- New York Jets vs. Carolina Panthers at 7 p.m.
- Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts at 7 p.m.
- Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins at 7 p.m.
- Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers at 7 p.m.
- Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans at 7 p.m.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Los Angeles Chargers, a city rivalry, at 7:05 p.m.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars at 7:30 p.m.
- Dallas Cowboys vs. Las Vegas Raiders, wrapping up the night at 10 p.m.
The excitement will carry over into Sunday with two games scheduled for prime time:
- Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos at 8 p.m.
- New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers at 8 p.m.
Peeking Into Week 3
As the preseason progresses, anticipation builds for the final week of exhibition games. Week 3 will kick off on Thursday with two prominent games:
- Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals at 8 p.m.
- Chicago Bears vs. Kansas City Chiefs at 8:20 p.m.
Friday night offers three matchups, showcasing teams eager to finalize their rosters:
- Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons at 7 p.m.
- Miami Dolphins vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 7:30 p.m.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders at 10 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule includes a variety of matchups, each offering a unique storyline as teams make their final adjustments:
- Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m.
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions at 1 p.m.
- Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers at 1 p.m.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Houston Texans at 1 p.m.
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles at 1 p.m.
- Los Angeles Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys at 4 p.m.
- New York Giants vs. New York Jets—an intra-city clash—at 7:30 p.m.
- Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks at 10 p.m.
Week 3 will conclude with three games on Sunday that promise to keep fans on the edge of their seats:
- Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints at 2 p.m.
- Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m.
- New England Patriots vs. Washington Commanders at 8 p.m.
As the preseason unfolds, teams will continue to evaluate their rosters, refine their playbooks, and build momentum heading into the regular season. With each game offering a glimpse of potential breakout stars and strategic innovations, the 2024 NFL season promises to deliver excitement and drama from start to finish.