The anticipation for the 2024 NFL season is building as fans across the nation eagerly await the kickoff. With preseason games already underway, each of the 32 NFL teams is working to fine-tune their rosters and strategies. The preseason action began last Thursday, marking the start of Week 1.
Week 1 Highlights
Two games were played on the opening Thursday night, followed by another two on Friday night. Saturday was packed with nine matchups, offering a full day of football excitement. The first weekend of the preseason concluded with a doubleheader on Sunday.
This kickoff to the preseason was amplified by the NFL Hall of Fame Game, held on August 1. The Chicago Bears took down the Houston Texans in a close battle, finishing with a 21-17 scoreline. This annual game, which honors the new inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, set the tone for what promises to be an eventful lead-up to the regular season.
Looking Ahead to Week 2
As we move into Week 2 of the preseason, the Philadelphia Eagles are set to clash with the New England Patriots on Thursday night, with the game scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. The anticipation is building as both teams seek to make a statement in their early matchups.
Saturday's lineup promises a full slate of games, starting with the Atlanta Falcons taking on the Baltimore Ravens at noon. Other notable matchups include the Cincinnati Bengals against the Chicago Bears at 1 p.m. and the New York Giants facing the Houston Texans also at 1 p.m.
Later in the day, fans can look forward to the Detroit Lions matching up against the Kansas City Chiefs at 4 p.m., and the Minnesota Vikings against the Cleveland Browns at 4:25 p.m. As evening falls, a series of games kick off at 7 p.m. with teams like the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and Buffalo Bills in action. The highly-anticipated game between the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers will start at 7:05 p.m., adding an extra layer of intrigue with an inter-city rivalry. Wrapping up the night, the Dallas Cowboys will face off against the Las Vegas Raiders at 10 p.m.
Week 2's Sunday action includes a pair of prime-time games, with the Green Bay Packers going head-to-head against the Denver Broncos at 8 p.m., followed by the New Orleans Saints playing against the San Francisco 49ers, also at 8 p.m. This double feature is expected to draw significant attention as teams aim to solidify their game plans and assess their squads.
Week 3 Schedule
Moving into Week 3, the preseason starts with two Thursday night games: the Indianapolis Colts will take on the Cincinnati Bengals at 8 p.m., and the Chicago Bears will battle the Kansas City Chiefs at 8:20 p.m. This week's action promises to be a critical juncture as teams begin to make their final adjustments before the regular season.
Friday night brings three matchups. The Jacksonville Jaguars will play against the Atlanta Falcons at 7 p.m., followed by the Miami Dolphins facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 7:30 p.m. To close out the night, the San Francisco 49ers will line up against the Las Vegas Raiders at 10 p.m.
Saturday's schedule is packed with key games starting at 1 p.m. with the Carolina Panthers facing the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Detroit Lions. Other games include the Baltimore Ravens against the Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Rams against the Houston Texans, and the Minnesota Vikings versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
The action continues later on Saturday with the Los Angeles Chargers meeting the Dallas Cowboys at 4 p.m., followed by the New York Giants and New York Jets' highly-anticipated clash at 7:30 p.m. The night concludes with the Cleveland Browns squaring off against the Seattle Seahawks at 10 p.m.
Week 3 wraps up on Sunday with three final games. The Tennessee Titans will take on the New Orleans Saints at 2 p.m., followed by the Arizona Cardinals facing the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. The weekend's action concludes with the New England Patriots going up against the Washington Commanders at 8 p.m.
As the preseason progresses, each team is eager to showcase their talents and finalize their rosters. The excitement is palpable, and with each passing game, the anticipation for the regular season heightens.