NFL releases preseason schedule. Here are 5 games we can't wait to watch
Rejoice, football-starved fans, because the NFL preseason schedule is here.
While it’s just the preseason, each game features important takeaways from the upcoming season. How will that promising rookie fare? Who will win the quarterback battle for your favorite team? Those questions get answered in the preseason.
The NFL released the 2019 preseason schedule Tuesday, and it features 65 games, including eight that will appear on prime-time television.
Since we don’t have time to rate all 65 games, we’ll simply looked at five games that caught our eye during the schedule announcement. And while not every game will be broadcast on national television, every preseason game can be viewed on NFL Network.
Without further ado, here we go:
Hall of Fame game: Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons
Let’s start things off with the first preseason game, which will take place on Aug. 1. The Denver Broncos will face the Atlanta Falcons in the Hall of Fame game. That might not be the most exciting matchup for some fans, but it makes our list because it’s the first football game of the 2019 season.
The game won’t count in the standings and probably won’t even feature some star players, but it will be the first time football fans can celebrate the game since the Super Bowl.
It may not be Joe Flacco’s debut as the team’s starter considering he’ll likely rest for the game, but it could feature whatever rookie quarterback the Broncos take a shot on in the draft. We’re not sure who it will be yet, but our money is on whichever prospect is the tallest based on John Elway’s history.
Preseason Week 2: Oakland Raiders vs. Arizona Cardinals
Will this be the first time Kyler Murray is seen by a national audience as a pro? The Arizona Cardinals hold the first pick in the NFL draft, and Murray is visiting the Cardinals on Tuesday.
Even if the Cardinals go with someone else, this matchup should feature two extremely promising rookies. The Oakland Raiders have the fourth pick — and the 24th and 27th picks — so there could be a lot of interesting young talent in the contest.
It should also provide fans with a glimpse at Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. And any game with Jon Gruden on the sideline is worth watching. Also, Antonio Brown is a Raider now!
The game will take place Aug. 15 on ESPN. That could be the day NFL fans get a true glimpse of Murray.
Preseason Week 3: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans
The schedule-makers have a hunch the Pittsburgh Steelers might be an interesting team to follow in 2019. That’s probably why they put Pittsburgh in national television in Week 3, the most important week of the preseason.
That should give fans an extended look at how the team’s offense will run without Antonio Brown. It should also give the announcers plenty to talk about considering all the drama coming out of Pittsburgh during the offseason.
For the Tennessee Titans, the game should give fans a good look at Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill. It should also be a good opportunity for fans to see the team’s offense under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Preseason Week 3: Cleveland Browns vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This should be our first extended look at Odell Beckham Jr. and the revamped Cleveland Browns offense. The Browns are entering 2019 as everyone’s favorite breakout club. With weapons like Beckham, Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, Baker Mayfield and David Njoku, the Browns look like they’ll put up huge offensive weeks this season.
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the contest will provide a look at Bruce Arians’ offense for the upcoming season. How will Jameis Winston perform? Will Arians finally utilize a tight end now that he has O.J. Howard? Can Chris Godwin become an even bigger fantasy darling?
Preseason Week 1: New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions
We don’t care as much about the lopsided chess match that is Bill Belichick vs. Matt Patricia — especially when there’s virtually nothing on the line. What’s more appealing is this will be the Patriots’ first game since the Robert Kraft soliciting charge.
The topic will likely be glossed over by broadcasters during the game, but it’s possible players will be asked about it in the lead-up to the contest. Given that the issue has yet to be resolved, it’s unclear how much the topic will dominate the Patriots’ season. With the Patriots coming off a Super Bowl victory and Kraft one of the biggest figures in the NFL, it will be tough to ignore the story.
There you have it. Five games we already find interesting before the draft has even taken place. After that happens, we suspect one to two other teams could shoot up the watchability rankings before the preseason starts.
That should be enough to get diehard NFL junkies to the regular season.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
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