The 2026 NFL exhibition calendar moves into the heart of Preseason Week 2 following Thursday night’s kickoff action. With head coaches giving starter units increased reps before September, teams are using Week 2 as a vital gauge for roster depth and position battles.
Thursday night opened Week 2 with the Las Vegas Raiders earning a 22-20 road victory over the Houston Texans, followed by the San Francisco 49ers’ blowout late-night win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Action continues with a tripleheader on Friday, August 21, launching a 16-game weekend slate across national networks and regional television affiliates.
NFL Games Today: Are There Any Week 2 Preseason Games on Friday?
There are three preseason games scheduled for Friday, August 21. Friday’s slate features two nationally televised games on NFL Network along with local broadcast coverage across regional markets.
The schedule opens at 7:00 p.m. ET as the New York Jets travel to Acrisure Stadium to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on NFL Network. Both organizations enter the contest seeking offensive execution following joint practice sessions earlier in the week.
At 7:30 p.m. ET, the Carolina Panthers visit the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Airing on local network affiliates, the matchup provides extended snaps for secondary position groups and rookie depth.
Friday’s slate concludes in the Mile High City at 9:00 p.m. ET, where the Green Bay Packers take on the Denver Broncos at Empower Field on NFL Network. With altitude and warm August temperatures impacting conditioning, both coaching staffs are prioritizing defensive line rotations and special teams units.
Full 2026 NFL Preseason Week 2 Schedule, Dates And Streaming Details
Preseason Week 2 spans four days, from Thursday, August 20, through Sunday, August 23, and features 16 exhibition games. Following Friday’s three-game schedule, Week 2 ramps up on Saturday, August 22, with a 10-game marathon, then concludes on Sunday, August 23, with a standalone national broadcast on FOX.
Broadcast coverage for Week 2 is split across NFL Network, ESPN, FOX, and local network affiliates. Fans can stream live games via NFL+, Peacock, FuboTV, and YouTube TV.
Friday, August 21
New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers, 7:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars, 7:30 p.m. ET (Local TV)
Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos, 9:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
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Saturday, August 22
Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions, 12:00 p.m. ET (Local TV)
Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET (Local TV)
Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 p.m. ET (Local TV)
New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams, 4:00 p.m. ET (Local TV)
New York Giants at Miami Dolphins, 4:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals, 7:00 p.m. ET (Local TV)
Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots, 7:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7:30 p.m. ET (Local TV)
Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals, 10:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
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Sunday, August 23
Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans, 8:00 p.m. ET (FOX / FOX One)
Following the conclusion of Sunday’s action, teams enter the final week of exhibition play before facing mandatory 53-man roster cutdowns on Sunday, August 30, at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Friday Slate Serves as Critical Turning Point for Roster Candidates
Friday night’s three-game slate represents a vital evaluation window for backup rotations, developmental players, and fringe roster candidates.
With a 10-game Saturday marathon immediately following, coaching staffs will use Friday’s live game reps to finalize depth chart battles before entering the third and final preseason week.
All 32 organizations must reduce their 90-man offseason rosters down to 53 active players by Sunday, Aug. 30, at 6:00 p.m. ET. For second-string units and unranked rookies, every snap on Friday night carries direct implications for securing an active roster spot or earning practice squad consideration.
