NFL Preseason 2026: Schedule, Scores & Games Today

Week 1 runs from August 13 through August 16. The NFL's official schedule includes 16 games across the four-day period.

Friday's schedule features three games, including Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins at Washington Commanders.

Saturday then brings a much larger slate, including Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens, and Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks.

Broncos vs Falcons

The Denver Broncos vs Atlanta Falcons matchup is one of Friday's featured games.

Denver is scheduled to visit Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 14, with kickoff listed for 7 p.m. ET.

For preseason games, the result is often less important than evaluating young players and position battles. That makes this matchup worth watching even before the regular season begins.

Buccaneers vs Jets

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New York Jets game is another Friday night matchup.

Tampa Bay opens its preseason against New York at MetLife Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

The game gives both teams an opportunity to evaluate players competing for roster positions and establish early preseason momentum.

Eagles vs Ravens

Saturday's Philadelphia Eagles vs Baltimore Ravens matchup is another game likely to attract significant attention.

The Eagles are continuing training camp preparations ahead of their first preseason game against Baltimore.

For fans, preseason games offer an early opportunity to see how rookies and younger players fit into their teams' plans.

Preseason games do not carry the same importance as regular-season games, but they can have major consequences for individual players.

Coaches use preseason action to evaluate:

• Rookie quarterbacks
• Offensive line combinations
• Wide receiver depth
• Defensive backs
• Special teams players
• Backup quarterbacks
• Players competing for roster spots

The NFL itself highlighted several position battles and players to watch entering Week 1, including the Browns' quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders.

That makes preseason football particularly interesting for fans who want to discover emerging players before the regular season begins.

Quarterback development is one of the biggest storylines of the preseason.

One particularly interesting matchup involves Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck and Las Vegas Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza. Beck is expected to miss the Cardinals' preseason game against Las Vegas because of minor rib discomfort, according to Reuters.

That absence is notable because the two quarterbacks have a recent college football connection. Mendoza led Indiana past Beck's Miami Hurricanes in the previous season's College Football National Championship before both entered the NFL.

Fans can follow the preseason through a combination of television networks, local broadcasts and streaming services.

The NFL's official Week 1 viewing guide provides the schedule, kickoff times and available networks for each game.

NFL+ is also one of the official options for following preseason games, although availability and restrictions can vary depending on location and game.

Because preseason broadcasting can differ from regular-season coverage, fans should check the specific game listing before kickoff.

The biggest difference between preseason and regular-season football is the importance of the games.

During the preseason, coaches generally focus on evaluation rather than winning at all costs. Star players may receive limited snaps, while rookies and players fighting for roster positions can receive extended opportunities.

The regular season begins on September 13, 2026, meaning preseason gives teams several weeks to evaluate their rosters before meaningful games begin.

Several storylines make the opening week especially interesting.

Quarterback competitions

Teams with unsettled quarterback situations can use preseason games to evaluate competing players.

Rookie debuts

First-round picks and other rookies finally get opportunities to experience NFL game action.

Position battles

Backup positions can become extremely competitive as players try to make the final roster.

Young defensive players

Preseason can be particularly valuable for young defenders trying to earn larger roles.

Injury updates

Teams also use preseason games to monitor player health, although some established starters may have limited playing time.

After Week 1 concludes, teams will move into Preseason Week 2, scheduled for August 20–23. Week 3 follows from August 27–30.

The preseason then transitions into the regular season in September.

That means the next few weeks will be crucial for players trying to establish themselves before final roster decisions are made.

• NFL Preseason 2026 began with the Hall of Fame Game on August 6.
• Preseason Week 1 runs from August 13–16.
• All 32 NFL teams are scheduled to play during Week 1.
• Friday features Broncos–Falcons, Buccaneers–Jets and Dolphins–Commanders.
• Quarterback competitions and rookie performances are among the biggest storylines.
• Preseason Week 2 begins August 20.
• The 2026 regular season begins September 13. 

NFL Preseason 2026 is now in full swing, and Week 1 gives fans their first broad look at the upcoming generation of NFL players.

While preseason scores do not determine the regular-season standings, the games can reveal important clues about quarterback competitions, rookie development and roster battles.

With Week 1 continuing through August 16 and the regular season still several weeks away, there is plenty of football to follow before the games begin to count.