The final week of preseason action features some teams treating it like a dress rehearsal, while most are resting their starters altogether.
Thursday, August 21
PIT @ CAR | 7:00 PM ET | NFL Network
New-look Pittsburgh secondary. The Steelers will be sitting Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, T.J. Watt, and Cameron Heyward again in the preseason finale—but everyone else (if healthy) is set to play. That means Jalen Ramsey making his team debut alongside Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay, and I’m very interested in how Pittsburgh utilizes him in what should be brief playing time. However, it will come against backups with Carolina curiously not playing starters despite head coach Dave Canales saying he’s not happy about the team’s “execution of the basics” with Week 1 closing in.
NE @ NYG | 8:00 PM ET | Prime Video
The quarterback situation in New York. The Patriots and Giants both appear set to rest key players tonight, but will that include first-round pick Jaxson Dart? Brian Daboll threw the rookie into the fire for a play last week with the starters to prepare him for the possibility of being inserted into action at any moment, and it’s starting to feel like Dart could play sooner rather than later. If the Giants start 0-2 in the regular season with road divisional matchups in Washington and Dallas, it wouldn’t be a shock if Daboll turns to Dart for a primetime game against the Chiefs in Week 3—so I’m curious if Kirk Herbstreit will shed any insights about the situation on the broadcast tonight.
Friday, August 22
PHI @ NYJ | 7:30 PM ET
No. 3 cornerback battle for the Eagles. New York and Philadelphia will both be using the preseason finale to evaluate players at the end of the roster—but the Eagles could have one key competition to be decided with Jakorian Bennett, Adoree’ Jackson, Kelee Ringo, and others hoping to earn the No. 3 role alongside Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. This week in practice, DeJean played outside cornerback in base defense for the first time (he was previously at safety), which could signal the team isn’t confident about their options at this point. I still think Bennett will emerge as he picks up the system.
MIN @ TEN | 8:00 PM ET | CBS
Rookie weapons look to solidify roles. The Titans will center the offense around Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, and Chig Okonkwo—but Cameron Ward should grow with a couple of rookies set to play complementary roles with wide receiver Elic Ayomanor and tight end Gunnar Helm showing well last week. Plus, Chimere Dike can make a final impression tomorrow night, and Kalel Mullings appears to be the No. 2 runner for as long as Tyjae Spears (ankle) is out.
ATL @ DAL | 8:00 PM ET | NFL Network
Undrafted rookies in Atlanta. Undrafted running back Nathan Carter might have locked up a roster spot with his performance last week (nine carries for 63 yards and a touchdown), and he should get another starting opportunity in the preseason finale to leave no doubt. On defense, rookie cornerback Cobee Bryant didn’t hear his name called in April, but he’s battling with a real shot to make the 53-man roster.
CHI @ KC | 8:20 PM ET
Caleb Williams v. Patrick Mahomes. I love that Chicago and Kansas City are both playing their starters in preparation for Week 1, and that will give us the first matchup between Williams and Mahomes—which we didn’t get in last year’s preseason finale with starters not playing. I’m also excited to watch rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III potentially getting work with Williams and the first-team offense after he made two tremendous blocks near the goal line last week.
Saturday, August 23
BAL @ WAS | 12:00 PM ET
Quarterback play in Baltimore. The Ravens gave Cooper Rush most of the reps last week with 30 pass attempts, but he had two interceptions (along with 198 yards and a touchdown)—while Devin Leary completed five-of-10 attempts for 53 yards. John Harbaugh said we can expect Rush to play the first half with Leary in the second half on Saturday, and more struggles might lead to Baltimore being aggressive in considering a move behind Lamar Jackson.
IND @ CIN | 1:00 PM ET
Cincinnati’s defensive effort. I think everyone will agree the Bengals will be fine on offense, and everyone around Joe Burrow—particularly the offensive line—should be better to begin the regular season based on the work they’ve gotten this month (which won’t continue with key players resting on Saturday). The defense is another story, though, and whoever suits up this weekend will ideally show more toughness before taking on a physical Cleveland team in the opener.
LAR @ CLE | 1:00 PM ET | NFL Network
Rookie quarterbacks jockey for positioning. Joe Flacco was named the starter for the Browns on Monday, but all eyes will be on the first initial depth chart and how the other three quarterbacks stack up—if all four end up making it. While I’m expecting the order to remain the same that it’s been throughout camp (Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders), Sanders will try to make it a debate if he’s good to go with his oblique injury.
HOU @ DET | 1:00 PM ET
Dameon Pierce’s standing in the Houston backfield. Unfortunately for fans, joint practices between the Texans and Lions will carry more importance than the game—but I’m still watching Pierce as he is set to see his first carries of the preseason. When Joe Mixon (foot) and Nick Chubb have been out of practice, Pierce has been the top back for Houston, so he could have a role behind Chubb if Mixon is out for the opener and potentially beyond.
DEN @ NO | 1:00 PM ET
The final quarterback competition. New Orleans is taking the quarterback battle—seemingly narrowed down to Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler—down to the wire, so Saturday afternoon could determine the winner. Last week, Shough continued to not handle pressure well while Rattler improved from the first exhibition, but the second-round rookie is still probably the favorite.
SEA @ GB | 4:00 PM ET | NFL Network
A full dose of Jalen Milroe? Seattle won’t play the starters this week, and Drew Lock has handled most of the snaps at quarterback through two preseason games—looking very good in Klint Kubiak’s offense. So unless they want to completely keep him under wraps, I don’t see why the Seahawks wouldn’t want to see close to a full game from Milroe to gauge his progress under center.
JAX @ MIA | 7:00 PM ET | NFL Network
Cam Smith’s late push for a starting job. A leg injury had kept Smith off the field for much of camp, but he showed well last week against the Lions—and his roster status feels more stable with a starting job now in play based on the weakness for Miami at cornerback. If Jacksonville plays the starters again on Saturday night, Smith could get a chance to show what he can do versus Brian Thomas Jr.
BUF @ TB | 7:30 PM ET
A better showing for the Bills. Buffalo started the preseason with a loss to the Giants and then followed it up by getting blown out, 38-0, against the Bears—so it’d be encouraging to get a win on the board before Week 1. At the very least, Sean McDermott will want to see a much better effort from his squad on Saturday night.
LAC @ SF | 8:30 PM ET
Jim Harbaugh and Trey Lance face their former team. It might be the preseason, but you can be sure that Harbaugh—who went 44-19-1 with the 49ers—will want to beat his former employer, and the same is true for Lance after things didn’t work out for the former No. 3 overall pick in San Francisco. After the Chargers lost a close one last week to the Rams, this weekend should give us another competitive affair.
LV @ ARI | 10:00 PM ET | NFL Network
Defensive depth in Las Vegas. The Raiders loaded up on veteran additions this offseason—with Devin White, Elandon Roberts, Germaine Pratt, Eric Stokes, and Jeremy Chinn all seemingly locked into starting jobs. I’ll be watching Tyree Wilson as he tries to build on some flashes last week, as well as Jamal Adams in his transition to linebacker, and guys like Darnay Holmes and Kyu Blu Kelly fighting for roles at cornerback.