NFL Preseason Week 1: Friday Games and What to Watch

The NFL preseason continues Friday, August 14, with three Week 1 games scheduled for 7 p.m. ET: the Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets and Miami Dolphins at Washington Commanders. The games are part of a 16-game Week 1 slate running from Thursday through Saturday, with the remaining matchups taking place Saturday. The biggest value of these games is not the final score but the opportunity to evaluate quarterbacks, rookies and players competing for roster spots before the regular season begins.

What NFL preseason games are being played Friday?

Friday's schedule features three games, giving fans another substantial night of football after six Week 1 contests opened on Thursday. Denver visits Atlanta at 7 p.m. ET, Tampa Bay travels to the New York Jets for another 7 p.m. kickoff, and Miami visits Washington at the same time. The official NFL schedule lists all three games as local broadcasts, while the Buccaneers-Jets matchup is also designated for NFL Network.

That schedule makes Friday particularly useful for fans looking beyond the headline matchups. The three games feature teams trying to establish depth and evaluate players before decisions become more difficult later in August. Preseason playing time is often distributed among multiple quarterbacks, young receivers, defensive backs and players fighting to remain on the roster.

Why the preseason matters before the regular season

Preseason results do not count toward the regular-season standings, but the games can influence decisions that shape the final roster. Coaches use live competition to evaluate players in situations that cannot be completely recreated during training camp. That includes communication, tackling, protection, route execution, special teams work and how players respond when the game becomes unpredictable.

The NFL has scheduled three preseason games for most teams again in 2026. The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers have an additional game because they played in the Hall of Fame Game on August 6. The regular season is scheduled to begin September 9.

For teams with established starters, the central question is often how much exposure those players should receive. Coaches must balance the need for game preparation against the risk of unnecessary injuries. For younger players, however, preseason snaps can be among the most important opportunities of the summer.

Which player battles deserve attention in Week 1?

One of the clearest storylines entering Week 1 is Cleveland's quarterback competition. NFL.com identified Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders as players to watch, with Watson named the Week 1 starter while the coaching staff continues to evaluate the competition. The Browns' situation illustrates why preseason games can generate interest even when the games themselves do not affect the standings.

Minnesota also has a quarterback storyline to monitor. Kevin O'Connell has named Kyler Murray QB1, while J.J. McCarthy is expected to receive extended preseason opportunities against the New York Giants. The goal for coaches is not simply to produce a winning preseason record but to learn which combinations give the team the strongest chance when September arrives.

Injuries are another major factor. Washington entered Week 1 dealing with an important offensive-line concern after tackle Laremy Tunsil underwent surgery for a torn triceps, according to NFL.com. Such developments can change preseason priorities because teams may need to give additional snaps to backups who could suddenly become important during the regular season.

How can fans watch the NFL preseason?

Broadcast availability varies by matchup and market. ESPN's preseason viewing guide says NFL Network is carrying selected nationally televised games, while NFL+ provides additional preseason viewing options. ESPN has also expanded its preseason coverage, with ESPN Unlimited subscribers able to stream a larger slate through the ESPN app.

For Friday, the Buccaneers-Jets game is listed by the NFL as an NFL Network broadcast. The Denver-Atlanta and Miami-Washington games are listed as local broadcasts on the official schedule. Fans should check their local listings because preseason distribution can differ from regular-season national coverage.

NFL+ is also relevant for viewers searching specifically for preseason games. The service offers live local and primetime games on mobile along with other football content, while the league's preseason viewing information provides additional details on available games and platforms.

What comes next on the NFL preseason schedule?

The Week 1 schedule continues Saturday with 10 games. The official NFL schedule lists Carolina at Buffalo and Cleveland at Chicago at 1 p.m. ET, followed by Minnesota at the New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams at Kansas City, Jacksonville at New Orleans, Philadelphia at Baltimore and Dallas at Seattle among the later games. The Rams-Chiefs matchup is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET and is one of the games selected for NFL Network.

The final Saturday matchup is Dallas at Seattle at 8 p.m. ET, also on NFL Network. That means fans will have another full day of preseason football after Friday's three-game slate.

The bigger story throughout Week 1 will be evaluation rather than wins and losses. Coaches are searching for answers about depth, young players and position battles, while players are trying to turn limited opportunities into a place on the final roster. That makes every preseason snap potentially important even when the scoreboard does not count toward the standings.