The countdown to the 2024 NFL season is on, with teams around the league having recently wrapped up their preseason games. As fans eagerly await the official kickoff, preseason action has provided a taste of what's to come for all 32 NFL teams. It's been a busy couple of weeks filled with gridiron excitement and anticipation for the new season.
Beginning of Preseason Excitement
The preseason officially commenced with Week 1, starting last Thursday, featuring a series of matchups that spanned the weekend. Thursday night witnessed two first games, followed by two more on Friday. The bulk of the action occurred on Saturday with nine matchups, and Sunday concluded the week with a doubleheader.
A highlight of the preseason, the NFL Hall of Fame Game, took place on August 1. In this early showcase, the Chicago Bears edged out the Houston Texans with a 21-17 victory, giving fans an early look at both teams' summer progress.
Week 2 – A Packed Schedule
As Week 2 approached, anticipation grew for another set of competitive clashes. The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots were the first to take the field on Thursday night at 7 p.m., setting the tone for a weekend packed with football.
Saturday's lineup included a dozen games, featuring notable matchups such as the Atlanta Falcons taking on the Baltimore Ravens at noon, and the Cincinnati Bengals facing off against the Chicago Bears at 1 p.m. Other intriguing pairings included the New York Giants battling the Houston Texans, and the Detroit Lions clashing with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The evening slate of games continued to attract national interest. Riveting matchups included the New York Jets against the Carolina Panthers, the Buffalo Bills facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers engaging the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Saturday night concluded with what many considered a marquee matchup—the Los Angeles Rams versus the Los Angeles Chargers.
Sunday of Week 2 featured two high-profile games under the prime-time lights. The Green Bay Packers went head-to-head with the Denver Broncos at 8 p.m., and simultaneously, the New Orleans Saints squared off against the San Francisco 49ers.
Heading into Week 3
Week 3's preseason action kicked off with two games on Thursday night, featuring the Indianapolis Colts against the Cincinnati Bengals at 8 p.m., followed by the Chicago Bears playing the Kansas City Chiefs at 8:20 p.m. These matchups promised a compelling start to the week.
Friday night's lineup included three confrontations. The Jacksonville Jaguars clashed with the Atlanta Falcons at 7 p.m., the Miami Dolphins faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 7:30 p.m., and the San Francisco 49ers locked horns with the Las Vegas Raiders at 10 p.m.
Saturday of Week 3 continued with plenty of afternoon action. Among the anticipated games were the Carolina Panthers versus the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers facing the Detroit Lions, both slated for 1 p.m. The Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans also took the field, offering fans a variety of viewing options.
Saturday evening held more excitement with the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys at 4 p.m., followed by an intriguing New York face-off between the Giants and Jets at 7:30 p.m. The night wound down with the Cleveland Browns against the Seattle Seahawks at 10 p.m., bringing a full day of football to a close.
Week 3's finales scheduled for Sunday included the Tennessee Titans meeting the New Orleans Saints at 2 p.m., and later, the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos clashing at 4:30 p.m. The New England Patriots then took on the Washington Commanders for the final game at 8 p.m., wrapping up another action-packed week of the preseason.
The preseason serves as a crucial stage for teams to refine their rosters and strategies ahead of the regular season. While the results may not count towards the official standings, these games offer invaluable preparation and a chance for new talent to shine. As the preseason progresses, fans and analysts alike look forward to the thrilling performances and emerging storylines that undoubtedly set the tone for the 2024 NFL season.