The NFL pre-season is coming to a close, and teams are using these final games to make adjustments and fine-tune their strategies before the regular season kicks off. This weekend is the last chance for teams to test out new rules and see what is and isn’t working before the games start to count.
The Colts and Bears both secured wins on Thursday night, defeating the Bengals and Chiefs, respectively. As we head into the weekend, here’s a breakdown of which teams are playing and where you can catch the action.
Friday, August 23:
– Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons, 7:00 p.m. ET on Fox
– Miami Dolphins vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7:30 p.m. ET on NFL+
– San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 10:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Saturday, August 24:
– Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
– Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers, 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
– Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
– Los Angeles Rams vs. Houston Texans, 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
– Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills, 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
– Los Angeles Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
– New York Giants vs. New York Jets, 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS and NFL Network
– Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks, 10:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Sunday, August 25:
– Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints, 2:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
– Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos, 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS
– New England Patriots vs. Washington Commanders, 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC
If you’re looking to watch NFL games for free, even if you’re out of market, consider using a good HD antenna to access local broadcasts. Additionally, there are several streaming services that offer live NFL games, such as Peacock, Disney+, Hulu with Live TV, YouTubeTV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and Fubo TV.
As for the new kickoff rule, the NFL is experimenting with changes to make kickoffs more exciting. This season, all members of the kicking and receiving teams (except the kicker and returners) must be within a 10-yard zone down the field. Only the kicker and two returners are allowed to move until the ball is touched. Onside kicks must be declared in the fourth quarter, eliminating the element of surprise.
Overall, this weekend’s pre-season games will provide valuable insights for teams as they prepare for the regular season. Fans can expect to see new strategies and adjustments as coaches make final decisions on their rosters. Stay tuned for an exciting weekend of football as the NFL pre-season comes to a close.