The 2025 NFL season is officially underway as the league transitions from training camps to live game action. Following the annual Hall of Fame Game, the first full week of the preseason is set to kick off, offering fans their first look at new rosters, rookie debuts, and intense position battles from Thursday, August 7, through Sunday, August 10.
This year marks the fifth season with a three-game preseason schedule, a change implemented in 2021 alongside the expansion to a 17-game regular season. While the final scores are secondary, these exhibition contests are crucial for coaches evaluating talent and for players on the roster bubble fighting for a spot. Several matchups in Week 1 feature compelling storylines that will set the tone for the month ahead.
Thursday Night Spotlights
The action begins on Thursday with a trio of games, two of which will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network. The Indianapolis Colts visit the Baltimore Ravens at 7 p.m. ET in a game defined by a critical quarterback competition. According to The Athletic, Colts head coach Shane Steichen has announced that second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson will start and play for approximately a quarter and a half, with veteran Daniel Jones taking over to finish the first half. With the starting job on the line, both quarterbacks are expected to play with playoff-level intensity. In contrast, the Ravens will be resting key starters, including quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, after holding joint practices with the Colts earlier in the week.
In another intriguing matchup, the Cincinnati Bengals travel to face the reigning Super Bowl LIX champion Philadelphia Eagles at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Bengals are taking a new approach to the preseason, with coach Zac Taylor planning to give his starters, including quarterback Joe Burrow, “several series” of playing time. This strategic shift is aimed at ensuring the team is better prepared for the start of the regular season. The Eagles, however, may opt for a more cautious approach with their veterans.
The nightcap features the Las Vegas Raiders at the Seattle Seahawks at 10 p.m. ET on NFL Network. This game marks a return to Seattle for new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald has already indicated his starters will not play, while Carroll has suggested his players are “ready to go,” potentially giving Las Vegas an edge in personnel.
A Full Weekend of Football
The schedule continues with three games on Friday, August 8, and a packed eight-game slate on Saturday, August 9. On Friday, the Detroit Lions, fresh off their Hall of Fame Game appearance, will face an Atlanta Falcons team that is expected to rest its top two quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.
Saturday’s schedule includes several notable contests. The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams will meet at 7 p.m. ET after holding joint practices, a factor that often leads to fewer starters playing in the game itself. Rams coach Sean McVay has a history of resting his key players in the preseason, meaning quarterback Stetson Bennett could see extensive action. Other matchups include the New York Giants at the Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET, NFL Network) and the Kansas City Chiefs at the Arizona Cardinals (8 p.m. ET).
How to Watch
The preseason concludes on Sunday, August 10, with two final games: the Miami Dolphins at the Chicago Bears (1 p.m. ET, NFL Network) and the New Orleans Saints at the Los Angeles Chargers (4 p.m. ET, NFL Network). Fans can catch the nationally televised games on NFL Network, while other games will be available on local broadcast channels and through the NFL+ streaming service, which offers live out-of-market preseason games.
