We’re officially just a little over a month away from the return of NFL football, and soon, we’ll all be spending our weekends gathered around television screens cheering for our favorite teams.
And yes, before you stop us, we hear you – it’s just the preseason. And while it’s accurate to say the wins and losses don’t really matter, a lot of good football can still take place, and you can learn a lot about some of the top teams in the league by following along closely. And of course, some sickos love the sport enough that they are even excited to watch the Cardinals and Panthers play a Thursday night game in early August. So here are some preseason games you won’t want to miss.
3 NFL preseason games to keep a close eye on in 2026
Thursday, August 13, 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST: Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders
All eyes are going to be on the dynamic duo in the quarterback room in Las Vegas this season, and the first time either will get to suit up for the Raiders is in Week 1 of the NFL preseason. How much time will each player see on the field in this first outing? Who starts, and who plays better? These are questions the league is waiting to see answered.
Saturday, August 15, 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST: Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks
The first glimpse at the defending Super Bowl champions, who will have to replace former offensive coordinator and new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak. And the Cowboys have an explosive offense of their own, which could allow for some preseason chaos.
Saturday, August 22, 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST: Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots
If you could fast-forward to February 2027 and find these two teams in the Super Bowl, would you be extremely surprised? The answer to that question is likely a “no,” and this is an early sneak peek at a battle between two of the more talented rosters in the league. A.J. Brown might make an appearance against his former team, and the Eagles will get a real test for their new coordinators.
