NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule: All 16 Matchups Set to Begin the 2026 Exhibition Season

By Darwain Frost

August 13, 2026

NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule 2026: All 16 Matchups Set to Begin the Exhibition Season

The NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule 2026 officially begins the first full week of preseason action, with all 32 teams taking the field across 16 games from Thursday, August 13, through Saturday, August 15, 2026. Following the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, the league enters its first complete slate of exhibition contests as teams evaluate their rosters in preparation for the regular season.

Although preseason games do not count in the regular-season standings, the NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule 2026 remains one of the most important periods on the league calendar. Coaches, general managers, and scouts use these contests to evaluate rookies, free agents, and returning veterans while finalizing depth charts and determining which players will earn a place on the 53-man regular-season roster.

Why the NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule 2026 Matters

NFL preseason football serves a much greater purpose than determining a winner or loser. These exhibition games allow coaching staffs to evaluate talent under live-game conditions while implementing offensive and defensive systems before the regular season begins.

Many established veteran starters either play limited snaps or do not participate at all, allowing younger players and those competing for roster spots to receive valuable playing time. Every practice rep and every preseason snap becomes part of the evaluation process as organizations prepare for final roster cuts.

For fans, the NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule 2026 provides the first opportunity to watch rookie draft picks, offseason free-agent acquisitions, and new coaching staffs in live game action. It also offers an early glimpse of position battles and emerging talent before the games begin to count.

NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule 2026

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Time: 7:00 PM

Game Results: The Detroit Lions lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 16–14 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Game Summary: The Bengals held on to their lead to defeat the Lions 16–14.

Key Performers: For the Lions, running back Jacob Saylors had eight carries for 55 rushing yards and three receptions for 28 receiving yards.

For the Bengals, quarterback Joe Flacco completed 5 of 8 passes for 51 passing yards and one touchdown.

Key Injuries: Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury.

No key injuries were reported for the Bengals.

Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Time: 7:00 PM

Game Results: The Green Bay Packers lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-9 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Game Summary: The Steelers delivered a dominant performance, defeating the Packers 28–9.

Key Performers: For the Packers, quarterback Kyle McCord completed 12 of 16 passes for 102 passing yards.

For the Steelers, quarterback Drew Allar completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also had two carries for two rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

Key Injuries: No key injuries were reported for either the Packers or Steelers.

Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots

Time: 7:30 PM

Game Results: The Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots finished in a 13–13 tie at Gillette Stadium.

Game Summary: The Colts and Patriots battled to a 13–13 tie, with neither team able to pull ahead before the game ended.

Key Performers: For the Colts, quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. completed 11 of 14 passes for 145 passing yards and one interception. He also had six carries for 53 rushing yards and one touchdown.

For the Patriots, quarterback Tommy DeVito completed 13 of 22 passes for 138 passing yards and one touchdown.

Key Injuries: Patriots offensive center Ben Brown suffered a lower leg/knee injury.

No other key injuries were reported for the Patriots.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Time: 8:00 PM

Game Results: The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 27–14 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Game Summary: The Cardinals maintained their lead throughout the game and defeated the Raiders 27–14.

Key Performers: For the Cardinals, quarterback Jacoby Brissett completed 5 of 5 passes for 44 passing yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Gardner Minshew II completed 14 of 15 passes for 101 passing yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jeremiyah Love had 11 carries for 58 rushing yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

For the Raiders, quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 5 of 6 passes for 50 passing yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 passing yards and one touchdown.

Key Injuries: Cardinals offensive guard Chase Bisontis suffered a left knee injury. Running back Jeremiyah Love also suffered an ankle sprain.

No key injuries were reported for the Raiders.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans

Time: 8:30 PM

Game Results: The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Houston Texans 27–7 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Game Summary: The Chargers maintained their lead throughout the game and defeated the Texans 27–7.

Key Performers: For the Chargers, running back Amar Johnson had six carries for 17 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

For the Texans, quarterback Davis Mills completed 9 of 15 passes for 82 passing yards and one touchdown.

Key Injuries: No key injuries were reported for either the Chargers or Texans.

Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers

Time: 9:00 PM

Game Results: The Tennessee Titans defeated the San Francisco 49ers 19–13 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Game Summary: The Titans maintained their lead and held off the 49ers, who were unable to mount a comeback.

Key Performers: For the Titans, running back Tony Pollard had four carries for 22 rushing yards and one touchdown.

For the 49ers, quarterback Kurtis Rourke completed 12 of 14 passes for 101 passing yards.

Key Injuries: Titans tight end Jaren Kanak suffered a pectoral injury during the game.

49ers quarterback Kurtis Rourke suffered a rib injury.

Friday, August 14, 2026

Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons

Time: 7:00 PM

Game Results: The Denver Broncos defeated the Atlanta Falcons 27–7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Game Summary: The Broncos delivered a dominant performance on both sides of the ball, defeating the Falcons 27–7.

Key Performers: For the Broncos, cornerback Jahdae Barron recorded one interception and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown.

For the Falcons, wide receiver Vinny Anthony II recorded three kickoff returns for 90 return yards.

Key Injuries: Bronco's linebacker Levelle Bailey suffered a lower-leg fracture.

No key injuries were reported for the Falcons.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Jets

Time: 7:00 PM

Game Results: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New York Jets 24–16 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Game Summary: The Buccaneers maintained the lead throughout the game and defeated the Jets 24–16.

Key Performers: For the Buccaneers, quarterback Jalon Daniels completed 10 of 15 passes for 111 passing yards. He also had three carries for nine rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

For the Jets, running back Braelon Allen had four carries for 44 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Key Injuries:  Neither team suffered any key injuries during the game.

Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders

Time: 7:00 PM

Game Results: The Miami Dolphins lost to the Washington Commanders 20–7 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

Game Summary: The Commanders maintained their lead throughout the game and defeated the Dolphins 20–7.

Key Performers: For the Dolphins, running back De'Von Achane had seven carries for 39 rushing yards and one touchdown.

For the Commanders, running back Kaytron Allen had 23 carries for 85 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Key Injuries: Neither team suffered any key injuries during the game.

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills

Time: 1:00 PM

Game Results: The Carolina Panthers lost to the Buffalo Bills 29–14 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.

Game Summary: The Bills maintained their lead throughout the game and defeated the Panthers 29–14.

Key Performers: For the Panthers, quarterback Kenny Pickett completed 16 of 19 passes for 92 passing yards and one touchdown. For the Bills, quarterback Kyle Allen completed 14 of 16 passes for 108 passing yards.

Key Injuries: No key injuries were reported for either the Panthers or Bills.

Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears

Time: 1:00 PM

Game Results: The Cleveland Browns lost to the Chicago Bears 34–10 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

Game Summary: The Bears delivered a dominant performance, scoring on three consecutive offensive drives and controlling the game against the Browns.

Key Performers:  For the Browns, quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 passing yards. For the Bears, running back Salvon Ahmed had two carries for 17 rushing yards. He also recorded three receptions for 55 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Key Injuries: Browns cornerback Nate Evans suffered a quad injury during the game.

For the Bears, safety Xavier Woods suffered a groin injury and did not return to the game.

Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants

Time: 1:00 PM

Game Results: The Minnesota Vikings defeated the New York Giants 13–10 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Game Summary: The Vikings and Giants competed in a back-and-forth game during their first preseason matchup. Minnesota ultimately held on for a 13–10 victory.

Key Performers: For the Vikings, wide receiver Myles Price had four receptions for 51 receiving yards and one touchdown. For the Giants, wide receiver Malachi Fields had three receptions for 34 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Key Injuries: Vikings linebacker Jamal Adams suffered a right knee injury. No specific key injuries were reported for the Giants.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Time: 4:00 PM

Game Results: The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20–12 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Game Summary: The Rams and Chiefs were tied at halftime, but Los Angeles dominated the second half and pulled away for a 20–12 victory.

Key Performers: For the Rams, quarterback Ty Simpson completed 21 of 25 passes for 190 passing yards and two touchdowns. Running back Dean Connors had six carries for 22 rushing yards. He also recorded four receptions for 29 receiving yards and two touchdowns. For the Chiefs, running back Emmett Johnson had 12 carries for 59 rushing yards.

Key Injuries: Rams offensive tackle Keagen Trost suffered a hamstring injury.

Chiefs offensive tackle Chu Godrick suffered an ankle sprain.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New Orleans Saints

Time: 4:00 PM

Game Results: The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the New Orleans Saints 24–20 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Game Summary: The Jaguars held on for a 24–20 victory after a back-and-forth battle against the Saints.

Key Performers: For the Jaguars, running back J'Mari Taylor had 22 carries for 78 rushing yards and one touchdown.

For the Saints, wide receiver Bub Means had four receptions for 77 receiving yards.

Key Injuries: Jaguars offensive tackle Chuma Edoga suffered a lower-leg injury. No key injuries were reported for the Saints.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens

Time: 7:00 PM

Game Results: The Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Baltimore Ravens 24–7 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.

Game Summary: The Ravens delivered a dominant performance and maintained control throughout the game, defeating the Eagles 24–7.

Key Performers: For the Eagles, quarterback Cole Payton completed 4 of 9 passes for 37 passing yards and one touchdown. For the Ravens, quarterback Joe Fagnano completed 22 of 28 passes for 224 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt had six receptions for 66 receiving yards.

Key Injuries: No key injuries were reported for either team.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks

Time: 8:00 PM

Game Results: The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Seattle Seahawks 17–7 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.

Game Summary:  The Cowboys took the lead in the second quarter and maintained it for the remainder of the game, defeating the Seahawks 17–7.

Key Performers: For the Cowboys, wide receiver Camden Brown had three receptions for 62 receiving yards and two touchdowns. For the Seahawks, quarterback Drew Lock completed 9 of 13 passes for 40 passing yards and one touchdown.

Key Injuries: No key injuries were reported for either team.

Looking Ahead After the NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule 2026

The NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule 2026 marks the beginning of a critical evaluation period for every franchise. Over the next several weeks, coaching staffs will continue assessing player performance while reducing rosters ahead of the regular season. For many rookies, undrafted free agents, and reserve players, these exhibition games represent their best opportunity to earn a place on an NFL roster.

As the preseason continues, fans can expect position battles, emerging young talent, and valuable experience for players working toward their NFL dreams. While the outcomes of these games do not affect the standings, every play contributes to the decisions that will shape each team's roster for the 2026 season.

Call to Action

Thank you for reading this edition of Mr. Frost's Sports Blog.

Be sure to like, share, comment, and repost this article with fellow football fans. Once the games conclude, return for updated scores, player performances, game analysis, and highlights from every matchup on the NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule 2026.

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