Football fans got their first glimpse of NFL action in the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame preseason game, and only a few Sundays remain before the 2026 NFL season officially begins. With the 2026 preseason set to get underway in full force, fans will soon have the chance to watch and cheer for their favorite teams once again.
Are There Any NFL Preseason Football Games Tonight?
Yes, Week 1 of the NFL preseason gets underway on August 13, with six games scheduled for tonight.
The teams set to take the field are the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers.
Lions vs. Bengals:
7 p.m. ET (Local TV)
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has indicated that some starters could see action in the team’s preseason opener against the Lions. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase were among the starters who appeared in both of Cincinnati’s first two preseason games in 2025. On the other side, Lions head coach Dan Campbell does not expect to play most of his starters in the first preseason game.
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Packers vs. Steelers:
7 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
The Packers-Steelers matchup will draw particular attention because of Aaron Rodgers. He did not play in any preseason games last year under Mike Tomlin, while Pittsburgh’s 2025 season ended on a disappointing note with a lopsided playoff loss to the Houston Texans.
In Rodgers’ final NFL season, the Steelers will face two of his former teams during the preseason, including the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets on August 21. However, the reunion with Green Bay is the main attraction for now.
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Colts vs. Patriots:
7:30 p.m. ET (Local TV)
The Patriots completed one of the most remarkable one-year turnarounds in recent NFL history under head coach Mike Vrabel, reaching the Super Bowl before losing to the Seattle Seahawks. New England fans will be eager to get another look at their team, while the Colts hope to generate some early optimism following an underwhelming season.
Chargers vs. Texans:
8 p.m. ET (Local TV)
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has outlined a clear plan for using his starters and veterans during the 2026 preseason. He expects them to play one series in the second preseason game and two series in the third. The Texans have reportedly shown improvement in the passing game during practice, creating excitement about the offense’s continued development.
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Cardinals vs. Raiders:
8 p.m. ET (ESPN App)
Raiders fans are also eager to see what new head coach Klint Kubiak can bring to the team, as he will look to begin his tenure by helping Las Vegas climb out of the AFC basement. For the Cardinals, this also marks their first preseason under Mike LaFleur, who has already decided to keep his starters out of the action in Canton.
Titans vs. 49ers:
9 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
In the Titans-49ers matchup, Robert Saleh will make his debut as Tennessee’s head coach against the franchise where he established himself as a respected defensive coordinator. He was one of the most sought-after head coaching candidates of the offseason and will now get the chance to put his defensive expertise to work against San Francisco.
