The NFL preseason is in full swing.
After months of no games, NFL players returned to the field last week for the opening slate of exhibition games. Not all stars were in action, but there were several memorable moments — including Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart’s debuts for the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, respectively. Also on display were the NFL’s new rules for the 2025 season — a tweaked kickoff, Hawk-Eye measurements and expanded replay assist.
Before the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys kick things off on NBC and Peacock next month, there are still 32 preseason games — and roster cuts — to get through.
Here’s what to know entering the second week of action:
When does the NFL preseason end?
The preseason began with the Hall of Fame Game on July 31, when the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Detroit Lions in Canton, Ohio. Week 1, with all 32 teams in action, took place last week from Aug. 7-10.
It will continue with Week 2 from Aug. 15-18 and then wrap up with Week 3 from Aug. 21-23. The last preseason games will be played on Saturday, Aug. 23, followed by a week off before the regular season gets underway Thursday, Sept. 4, on NBC and Peacock.
Preseason NFL schedule Week 2
The second week of the preseason features nine games on national TV, including a Monday Night Football matchup. Here’s the full Week 2 preseason schedule:
Friday, Aug. 15
Tennessee Titans at Atlanta Falcons, 7 p.m. ET
Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks, 10 p.m. ET
Saturday, Aug. 16
Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET
Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET
New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET
Carolina Panthers at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET
San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders, 4 p.m. ET
Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys, 7 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams, 7 p.m. ET
New York Jets at New York Giants, 7 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 p.m. ET
Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos, 9:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Aug. 17
Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET
Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears, 8 p.m. ET
Monday, Aug. 18
The NFL will switch from traditional chain gangs to advanced camera technology, Sony’s hawk-eye system, as the primary method of measuring first downs for the upcoming season.
Which NFL games are on TV this week?
As previously mentioned, nine games will be available to watch nationally in Week 2 on NFL Network, ESPN or FOX.
Here are the games airing on TV each day:
Friday
NFL Network: Titans-Falcons and Chiefs-Seahawks
Saturday
NFL Network: Browns-Eagles, 49ers-Raiders, Jets-Giants and Cardinals-Broncos
Sunday
NFL Network: Jaguars-Saints
FOX: Bills-Bears
Monday
How to watch preseason NFL games
Aside from the national games, you can also watch preseason games locally on each team’s TV affiliate network in your market. Live out-of-market preseason games are available to watch with NFL+.
NFL Sunday Ticket, which is used during the regular season, does not apply to the preseason.
Here’s what we know so far about the 2025 NFL schedule, which includes seven global games for the first time in league history.
NFL starters playing in Week 2 preseason 2025
With just three games to get ready for the regular season, teams have mixed philosophies on the preseason.
Some teams, like the Rams, never play their starters in any preseason games. Others play their starters in select games for certain amounts of time, depending on the situation.
Coaches are beginning to reveal their plans for starters in Week 2. Here’s a roundup of which starters will or won’t play this week, as of Wednesday, Aug. 13:
Falcons: Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will not play in Atlanta’s second preseason game, coach Raheem Morris said.
Titans: No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward will play in every preseason game, coach Brian Callahan said last week.
Colts: Quarterback Daniel Jones will start in Indianapolis’ second preseason game after Anthony Richardson started (and was injured) last week, coach Shane Steichen said.