The second week of preseason action is highlighted by 13 games on Saturday.
Friday, August 15
TEN @ ATL | 7:00 PM ET | NFL Network
Cameron Ward’s progress. The lack of fanfare for Ward despite being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft continued last week with a nice debut (five-of-eight for 67 yards; touchdown drive in his second series before being pulled) being overshadowed by other rookie passers. But Ward will play again tonight, and he’ll be facing another aggressive defense with Atlanta showing some rare preseason fire last week (most notably by safety DeMarcco Hellams).
KC @ SEA | 10:00 PM ET | NFL Network
Seattle starters hit the field. The Seahawks had joint practice with the Chiefs this week, but Mike Macdonald is still using tonight as the tune up for the regular season—getting Sam Darnold and others on the field for the first time in game action. With two very difficult matchups in the first two weeks of the regular season (v SF, @ PIT), Darnold looking sharp would have Seattle feeling like they’re ready for Week 1.
Saturday August 16
MIA @ DET | 1:00 PM ET
Cam Smith back on the field. Injuries and a lack of focus have kept Smith off the field across his first two seasons, and he’s also missed time during camp this summer. Miami’s depth chart at cornerback is as open as possible, though, so the 2023 second-rounder can make a case for a starting job with a strong showing in game action tomorrow. If not, Smith could be squarely on the roster bubble at the end of the month.
CAR @ HOU | 1:00 PM ET
Bryce Young to Tetairoa McMillan connection. The start for Young to the No. 8 overall pick flashed in a big way last week—as they connected on a throw down the field and could have easily had a touchdown if McMillan got his head around quicker. The missed score showed the anticipation of Young as a passer, and the rookie immediately realizing what his quarterback saw is a good sign for the Carolina duo being on the same page.
GB @ IND | 1:00 PM ET
Extended snaps for Anthony Richardson Sr. Shane Steichen said the joint practices with Green Bay were key in the quarterback competition between Richardson and Daniel Jones—so could that be a sign the Colts will make a decision by Saturday night? Jones will start this weekend and see limited action after seeing extended snaps with Richardson leaving early last week due to a dislocated pinky, and Indy might want to have the rest of August to give first-team reps to one option ahead of the regular season.
NE @ MIN | 1:00 PM ET
Drake Maye getting the ball out. The flashes were shown for Maye in the first exhibition, but he also took a sack and fumbled—which Mike Vrabel called a “bad decision,” and Josh McDaniels said Maye needs to learn how to balance his ability with holding onto the ball too long. Facing a chaotic Minnesota defense in live action and after taking more sacks in joint practices, Maye needs to show he can play on time from the pocket.
CLE @ PHI | 1:00 PM ET | NFL Network
Darius Cooper tries to lock up roster spot. With Shedeur Sanders (oblique) not playing this week, the quarterback situation in Cleveland has gone from four options to potentially zero if Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) doesn’t see time with Kenny Pickett (hamstring) out and Joe Flacco resting. That would lead to Tyler Huntley playing the entire game, so I’ll be focused on the play of wide receiver Darius Cooper for Philadelphia after he was highly impressive last week by catching six passes for 82 yards and a touchdown.
SF @ LV | 4:05 PM ET | NFL Network
Improvement for the Las Vegas starters. Geno Smith was one-of-three for 15 yards and Ashton Jeanty had three carries for negative-one yard in the preseason opener, so the Raiders will want to see a much better showing from the first-team offense at home. The run defense also needs to tighten up after the Seahawks moved the ball on the ground against them last Thursday night.
BAL @ DAL | 7:00 PM ET
Backup quarterbacks in Baltimore. Both Cooper Rush (two-of-four for 16 yards and an interception) and Devin Leary (three-of-12 for 43 yards and a interception) struggled last week, which prompted John Harbuagh to say it’s difficult to evaluate other positions when you throw for so few yards. However, offensive coordinator Todd Monken did defend the backups by saying everyone needs to play better, so we’ll see if they can bounce back in Dallas.
LAC @ LAR | 7:00 PM ET
No. 2 back for the Chargers. Najee Harris (eye) returning to practice this week was an encouraging sign, but there is still a bit of uncertainty about his status. With the Chargers saying first-round pick Omarion Hampton will be splitting snaps during the season no matter what, there are five options—Jaret Patterson, Kimani Vidal, Nyheim Miller-Hines, Hassan Haskins, and Raheim Sanders—who are in play for the No. 3 job that could turn into the No. 2 role depending on the status of Harris.
NYJ @ NYG | 7:00 PM ET | NFL Network
Defense. Joint practices between the Jets and Giants this week were apparently dominated by the New York defenses, which speaks to the tone Aaron Glenn wants for the Jets, as well as the improvements—led by No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter—that were made by the Giants. An exhibition might not reveal much, but both teams probably need to play stout defense in the fall to be playoff contenders.
TB @ PIT | 7:00 PM ET
Tez Johnson’s debut. Tampa Bay is stacked at wide receiver, but Johnson—a seventh-round rookie—is currently listed as a second-team wideout and has the inside track to earn a roster spot if six options are kept. We were very high on Johnson coming out of Oregon, and he should also get a chance to return punts after missing last week with a leg injury.
ARI @ DEN | 9:30 PM ET | NFL Network
Offensive depth for Denver. The Broncos and Cardinals won’t be playing their starters tomorrow night, but I’m still intrigued by the skill-position talent for Denver’s reserves. Courtland Sutton certainly won’t play, and it’s safe to assume Marvin Mims Jr. won’t either; the biggest question I have is whether Troy Franklin has shown enough to sit, as he made a tough catch last week and has reportedly been a star throughout camp. Finally, the backfield still needs to get settled behind RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins with four runners battling it out to make the squad.
Sunday, August 17
JAX @ NO | 1:00 PM ET | NFL Network
Consistency from Tyler Shough. Spencer Rattler drew the start under center last week for New Orleans, but the offense didn’t really move the ball with him in there—while Shough hit a 54-yard touchdown to Mason Tipton and provided more excitement in general. That said, the score came after a pick-six, and the second-rounder continued to show shakiness when pressured after it was an issue for him in college. A more consistent game on Sunday could lead to Shough being named the starter.
BUF @ CHI | 8:00 PM ET | FOX
Caleb Williams in Ben Johnson’s offense. The Bears didn’t play their starters last week, but Williams is set to play on Sunday night—giving us our first look at last year’s No. 1 overall pick under his new head coach. I wouldn’t overreact one way or another to what Williams does (and Johnson likely wants to keep his cards close to the vest before taking on the Vikings in Week 1), but it’ll still be fun to watch Williams in action.
Monday, August 18
CIN @ WAS | 8:00 PM ET | ESPN
Starters in action. The matchup between these teams last September was somewhat of a coming out party for Jayden Daniels in a 38-33 victory—and joint practices being cancelled might lead to the reigning NFL Rookie of the Year seeing time on Monday night. If not, we’ll still see Joe Burrow and the Bengals on the field with starting offense trying to build on an impressive start last week in Philadelphia.