Final Preseason Slate Kicks Off with Four Thursday Night Games
The final week of NFL preseason begins Thursday with eight teams in action across four games. The Steelers face the Bills, Browns meet the Patriots, 49ers take on the Raiders, and Rams play the Chargers. Regular season starts in just over two weeks.
The four Thursday matchups carry broadcast splits, with NFL Network airing Steelers-Bills and Rams-Chargers while Prime Video handles Patriots-Browns and 49ers-Raiders. Start times range from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET, and coaches are expected to limit starters to brief appearances to preserve health ahead of Week 1.
The Bills open their regular season at Houston before hosting Detroit, Los Angeles, and New England. Pittsburgh begins at home against Atlanta, then travels to New England, hosts Cincinnati, and visits Cleveland. The Browns' quarterback situation was also settled, with Deshaun Watson named the starter under new coach Todd Monken.
This final preseason slate signals the imminent return of the NFL, which could re-engage millions of fans who follow the league as a cultural touchstone. The games may influence early-season momentum and roster decisions that shape team fortunes, potentially affecting local economies through ticket sales and viewership. Fantasy football participants and sports bettors could also see their preparations sharpened by observing which players see meaningful snaps, though the limited starter usage may leave many questions unanswered until the regular season begins.