It’s been nearly three weeks since the 2025 NFL Preseason kicked off, and teams are running out of time to figure out their 53-man rosters. For some players, these next few days could decide their NFL futures. So, is there football on tonight?
Are There Any NFL Preseason Games on August 21?
The answer is yes. There are two games going on today, both delivering different hope in the final preseason week. The Carolina Panthers host the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the New England Patriots travel to New York to face the Giants.
Here’s everything you need to know for Thursday’s games.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Carolina Panthers
Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Channel: NFL Network
New England Patriots vs. New York Giants
Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Channel: NFL Network, Prime Video
What To Look Forward to in Thursday’s Matchups
The Panthers haven’t had the preseason start they were hoping for. In the two straight losses, they’ve been outscored 50-13 and outplayed in nearly every statistical category. But in August football, records don’t tell the whole story. What matters now is who seizes their moment.
Target practice pic.twitter.com/fZQYjZh4g1
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 19, 2025
With Bryce Young and Andy Dalton sitting out, the Panthers are turning to Jack Plummer and Bryce Perkins. For Plummer, it’s a chance to show he belongs in the league after spending most of last year on the practice squad. His numbers haven’t been flashy: two interceptions and no touchdowns.
But Thursday gives him one last audition. Perkins, meanwhile, is one of the more intriguing storylines of the night. Just a few months removed from an MVP season in the UFL, he signed with the Panthers this week and already finds himself with a chance to prove he can hang in the NFL.
For both quarterbacks, this isn’t just about impressing Carolina coaches. Scouts and front offices across the league will watch every throw and drive. Facing a Mike Tomlin defense, known for testing young quarterbacks with aggressive looks, it will be a real trial by fire.
The night’s second game carries a different kind of weight. In New England, 2025 is being billed as a fresh start under head coach Mike Vrabel. After two brutal 4-13 seasons, the Patriots hit reset, adding a veteran like Stefon Diggs, while drafting building blocks for the future. Their fans are hungry for a turnaround, and preseason is their first glimpse of this new era.
The Giants, on the other hand, are playing under a spotlight of urgency. Ownership has made it clear after a 3-14 campaign: progress must come now. Russell Wilson brings leadership and experience, but rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has stolen the show in camp, making the competition under center more interesting than anyone expected. Add a revamped front seven led by Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns, and New York suddenly has a defense that could keep them in games.
