With two weeks of the 2024 NFL preseason done and dusted, it’s time for the final week of preseason action in Week 3. Are there any NFL games today?
Let’s examine who’s kicking off on Thursday and how to watch the games tonight, including start times, TV channels, livestream options, and more.
Are There Any NFL Games Tonight? Thursday Night Football Schedule
Week 3 of the NFL preseason gets started with a Thursday Night doubleheader.
The Indianapolis Colts kick things off at 8 p.m. ET as they face off against the Cincinnati Bengals. Then, the Chicago Bears take on the Kansas City Chiefs shortly after at 8:20 p.m. ET. Here’s how to watch the NFL games today.
Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals
- Start time: Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, 8 p.m. ET
- Live stream options: Prime Video
- Radio stations: 93.5 & 107.5 The Fan, Bengals Gameday Radio
- Starting QBs:
- Bettings lines:
- Spread: IND -5.5
- Total: 35.5
- Moneyline: IND -230, CIN +190
The first of two NFL games today sees the Colts heading to Paycor Stadium to take on the Bengals. After a poor rushing performance in its 2024 preseason debut, Indianapolis turned things up a notch against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2, turning 37 carries into 166 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 21-13 win.
While both RB Jonathan Taylor and QB Anthony Richardson had the night off, the Colts could still generate some offense.
Although QB Jason Bean continued to impress in both the passing and rushing attack, he threw an interception late in the first half, giving the Cardinals a chance to get back into the game. With solid performances from Kedon Slovis and incumbent backup Sam Ehlinger against Arizona, the battle for the QB3 slot will come down to the final week of the preseason, with Joe Flacco expected to be Richardson’s backup.
As for the defense, Indianapolis could exert pressure into the backfield all night. The Colts’ pass rushers reached starting quarterback Clayton Tune three times and amassed seven tackles for loss.
While the Colts’ depth looks good, some tough choices are going to have to be made. Who is going to make the cut, and who will be left off to possibly join another NFL squad?
Meanwhile, the Bengals didn’t have a great second week of the preseason, running into the current buzzsaw that is the Bears. Losing in a 27-3 blowout, not much went right for Cincinnati all game. The Bengals turned the ball over three times, with Logan Woodside throwing two interceptions and rookie Rocky Lombardi coughing up the other as the two fight over the QB3 spot.
Another glaring sore spot for the Bengals in the loss was their lack of discipline. Cincinnati committed 11 penalties for 123 yards. While a number of starters rested, head coach Zac Taylor clearly explained that the lack of starters didn’t equate to the mistakes being made. Hopefully, Cincinnati can clean things up this week against Indianapolis.
2024 Preseason Stats Leaders
- QB:
- Colts: Jason Bean, 11 of 15 pass attempts, 145 yards, one TD, one INT
- Bengals: Logan Woodside, 25 of 37 pass attempts, 281 yards, one TD, two INT
- RB:
- Colts: Zavier Scott, 11 carries, 55 yards, one TD
- Bengals: Trayveon Williams, nine carries, 29 yards
- WR:
- Colts: Laquon Treadwell, eight receptions, nine targets, 88 yards, one TD
- Bengals: Jermaine Burton, four receptions, five targets, 101 yards, one TD
Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs
- Start time: Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, 8:20 p.m. ET
- Channel: NFL Network
- Live stream options: NFL App, NFL+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, NFL+
- Radio stations: WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM, 106.5 The Wolf
- Starting QBs:
- Bettings lines:
- Spread: CHI -3.5
- Total: 34.5
- Moneyline: CHI -180, KC +150
The next matchup on Thursday night sees the Bears heading to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Chiefs. Chicago continues to ride high, winning three straight preseason games, including the Hall of Fame Game.
Although 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams sat out of the Bears’ first matchup, the rookie quarterback has made appearances in the past two weeks, and the early returns are promising.
Williams went three-and-out on the first three drives last week, but plays finally started to string together as he led Chicago on two scoring drives to take a 10-3 lead into the second half. The first drive ended in a field goal, then the second saw Williams connect with fellow rookie Rome Odunze on a 45-yard bomb before Williams punched it into the end zone himself from seven yards out.
In addition to the offense, the defense was also on fire. The Bears forced three turnovers, intercepting two passes after leading the NFL in interceptions in 2023. They also sacked Woodside twice and ate in the backfield with five tackles for loss.
Chicago has outscored its opponents 60-9 in the last two weeks. While it’s only the preseason, the early success is promising a big improvement in the Windy City for the 2024 season. If the offense keeps the momentum from the preseason and the defense continues to impress, a Wild Card berth this season may not be out of the picture.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs lost a heartbreaker at home against the Detroit Lions in Week 2 of the preseason despite a magical Patrick Mahomes moment early on in the game. In his limited action, Mahomes connected with All-Pro TE Travis Kelce on an underhand, behind-the-back toss after Kelce ran the wrong route.
Kelce gained eight yards and a first down for a gaudy highlight in a game that featured two 60+ yard touchdowns. The Chiefs saw four different quarterbacks take the field Saturday as the coaching staff continues to determine the depth behind Mahomes.
Veteran Carson Wentz has been all right, while 2022 seventh-round pick Chris Oladokun has produced some quality tape in his two appearances.
Wentz currently has the backup slot on the Chiefs’ depth chart, but could another productive outing from Oladokun against a Bears team firing on all cylinders this offseason be enough to turn the tables in favor of the former South Dakota State Jackrabbit?
If he can dial up more of these long touchdown passes, he very well could.
2024 Preseason Stats Leaders
- QB:
- Bears: Brett Rypien, 15 of 21 passing attempts, 229 yards, three TDs
- Chiefs: Chris Oladokun, 13 of 17 passing attempts, 184 yards, one TD
- RB:
- Bears: Khalil Herbert, 18 carries, 97 yards
- Chiefs: Deneric Prince, 11 carries, 63 yards
- WR:
- Bears: Dante Pettis, five receptions, eight targets, 98 yards, two TDs
- Chiefs: Cornell Powell, four receptions, six targets, 88 yards, one TD
