No NFL preseason action hit the field on Thursday, leaving fans itching for the weekend. But the wait is almost over. The next three days are loaded with games that should give everyone something to watch, debate, and overanalyze before the real thing starts.
With the 2025 NFL regular season creeping closer, teams are preparing their rosters and evaluating which young players might actually make a difference when games start counting.
What Games Are on the NFL Preseason Schedule for Saturday, August 16?
Saturday brings a packed slate for fans looking to see which teams look sharp and which still have work to do. Two of the biggest matchups feature the Tennessee Titans facing the Atlanta Falcons and the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Seattle Seahawks.
Tennessee Titans vs. Atlanta Falcons
- Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Channel: NFL Network
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Start Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
- Channel: NFL Network
The Falcons are looking to rebound from their 17-10 loss to the Detroit Lions on August 8. The Titans are in the same boat after dropping their matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 29-7 on August 9. Kickoff for that one is set for 7:00 p.m. ET, with both teams hoping to show some flashes of improvement before the regular season arrives.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are after their first preseason win following a tight 20-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on August 9. The Seahawks enter the night after ending their August 7 game against the Las Vegas Raiders in a 23-23 tie. That game is set for a 10:00 p.m. ET start, wrapping up a long day of football for night owls and diehards.
Why Will Kirk Cousins and Patrick Mahomes Sit Out Saturday’s Preseason Games?
From what he’s seen at Training Camp, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris says he likes what veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is bringing to the table as he heads into his second year in Atlanta.
“He’s been really good,” Morris said of Cousins. “You’re talking about going through progressions and actually throwing the ball wherever you need to throw it. Obviously, he has the ability to come out of the pocket a little bit better than this time last year, coming off a significant injury. That’s dramatically improved, like it improved throughout the season. … But, I really love where he’s at from a communication standpoint with Mike [Penix], from his coaches.”
Still, right now, Morris hasn’t named his starting quarterback against the Titans. He did say, though, that both Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. will be sitting out. That means Atlanta fans will get a chance to watch other quarterbacks compete for reps, with both veterans watching from the sideline.
On the other sideline of the night’s later game, Chiefs coach Andy Reid admitted there’s a strong chance neither Patrick Mahomes nor Travis Kelce gets in the game against Seattle.
Instead, fans can expect to see some fresh faces try to earn a spot on the roster before cutdown day.
“There’s a good chance (Mahomes) doesn’t play, but we’ll see how it goes,” Reid said after Wednesday’s practice. “We want to make sure we get a good look at these young guys.”
Mahomes did take the field briefly during the loss to the Cardinals, tossing a touchdown pass on his only series. With kickoff between the Chiefs and Seahawks at 10:00 p.m. ET, fans can expect more new faces at quarterback and tight end as teams keep their stars healthy for when the 2025 NFL regular season finally gets underway.
