NFL Preseason Week 1 Begins With Six Games on August 13

The first full week of the NFL preseason kicks off on Thursday, August 13, 2026, with a slate of six games, marking the beginning of a three-day schedule featuring all 32 teams. The Detroit Lions will host the Cincinnati Bengals in the opening matchup at 7 p.m. ET, setting the stage for a weekend of exhibition contests designed to evaluate rookies and roster-bubble players.

While preseason results do not count toward the regular-season standings, the games provide a critical first look at team depth and new acquisitions. The Lions are not expected to play most of their starters, but first-round pick Blake Miller is anticipated to line up at right tackle. Cincinnati, in contrast, may use some of its starters, including quarterback Joe Burrow, though the game's outcome could be influenced by later appearances from players like fourth-stringer Sean Clifford.

The full Week 1 schedule includes additional games on Friday and Saturday, with seven contests on the final day. Among the Saturday matchups are the Denver Broncos versus the Atlanta Falcons and the Dallas Cowboys against the Seattle Seahawks. Six of the week's games will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network, including...