Following Thursday night’s six-game exhibition slate to open Preseason Week 1, the 2026 NFL preseason calendar continues on Friday, August 14, with three matchups across the league.
All six teams taking the field tonight are making their 2026 preseason debuts following weeks of training camp practices and multi-team joint sessions.
With head coaches balancing starter workloads and evaluating reserve roster depth, Friday’s slate gives coaching staffs critical live reps to refine schemes and settle ongoing position battles before mandatory roster cutdowns later this month.
NFL Games Today: NFL Preseason Schedule for Friday
Yes, there are three NFL preseason games scheduled for tonight, Friday, August 14. All three contests feature 7:00 p.m. ET kickoffs and are broadcast across national, local, and regional networks.
Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Denver Broncos travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face the Atlanta Falcons at 7:00 p.m. ET in a matchup featuring two teams focusing on quarterback development and offensive execution.
For Denver, head coach Sean Payton is using the preseason opener to test offensive-line depth and evaluate young skill-position talent in game conditions.
On the opposite sideline, Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski and his staff are looking to establish early rhythm in their offensive system while giving second-string defensive rotations extensive snaps.
The game airs nationally on the ESPN app, with additional coverage on local affiliates in both markets.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Jets
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Jets at 7:00 p.m. ET, concluding a week of physical joint practices between the two clubs in the Jets’ training facility in Florham Park, NJ.
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and Jets head coach Aaron Glenn are prioritizing secondary coverage rotations and pass-rush depth after two days of competitive scrimmage work.
Both teams enter the contest seeking clarity on back-of-the-roster battles before initial roster trims.
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Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders
The Miami Dolphins clash with the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium at 7:00 p.m. ET, following joint practice sessions held at BigBear.ai Performance Center in Ashburn, Virginia, earlier in the week.
Head coach Jeff Hafley and the Dolphins are utilizing the road contest to assess backfield depth and special teams coverage units.
Meanwhile, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is monitoring defensive communication and offensive line combinations as the Commanders play their sole home game of the 2026 preseason. The game broadcasts locally on affiliate networks, including WUSA9 in the Washington market, and streams on NFL+.
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Friday night’s three-game exhibition slate sets the stage for an action-packed Saturday featuring seven games to wrap up Preseason Week 1.
With the NFL operating under a streamlined three-game preseason format, coaching staffs have limited opportunities to evaluate players in live games before making critical personnel decisions.
All 32 organizations must trim their 90-player offseason rosters down to 53 active players by Sunday, August 30, at 6:00 p.m. ET.
For undrafted rookies, second-year developmental prospects, and back-of-the-roster veterans, early exhibition snaps on Friday and Saturday represent essential opportunities to secure active roster spots or earn practice squad consideration.
