NFL Preseason Week 3 Begins With Four Thursday Games

The final week of the NFL preseason kicked off Thursday night, August 27, 2026, with a slate of four games that offered teams one last chance to evaluate players before roster cuts. The action included a crosstown showdown in Los Angeles, where the Chargers faced the Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

The matchup served as the preseason finale for both teams, with the Rams entering undefeated after victories over Kansas City and New Orleans, while the Chargers split their first two exhibition games. The game was scheduled for a 10 p.m. ET kickoff on NFL Network. Despite preseason results not impacting regular-season standings, the contest was framed as a critical opportunity for players on the roster bubble to make a final impression.

The battle for depth chart positions was expected to create intensity, particularly given the teams share the same home stadium and market. Preseason games often feature limited participation from established starters, with coaches focusing on evaluating backups and reserves. The start of the regular season is just under two weeks away, with the New England Patriots set to visit the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, September 9, to open...