Fittingly, the NFL preseason is about to enter its second week and the plan is coming into focus.
Plenty of teams elected to leave the stars and starters on the bench, opting to see what they had elsewhere on the roster. It was a chance for rookies and training camp invites to shine, as they attempt to make the case to claim one of the 53 available roster spots at the end of August.
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The second week of the preseason is often when some of the stars and starters show up, even if it is minimal. Teams are more likely to treat the contest as a dress rehearsal of sorts, before shutting it down in the third week to prepare for the real Week 1.
This Thursday night will feature only a doubleheader, leaving fans with a more spread-out schedule through the weekend. Luckily for the football-starved fans, that also includes another look at Fernando Mendoza and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Here’s a look at the NFL preseason schedule for Aug. 20 and how you can watch the action.
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
New England Patriots quarterback Behren Morton (15) does a passing drill with running back Jam Miller (30) during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28.
(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
New England Patriots quarterback Behren Morton (15) does a passing drill with running back Jam Miller (30) during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28.
(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (1) works with a member of the coaching staff during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28.
(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
New England Patriots safety Peter Manuma does a drill during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28.
(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy works out during training camp practice at SAP Performance Facility on July 27 in Santa Clara, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey works out during training camp practice at SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, California, on July 27.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throws the ball during training camp workouts at Loyola Marymount University on July 27.
(Katelyn Mulcahy, Getty Images)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Myles Garrett of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during the training camp workouts at Loyola Marymount University on July 27.
(Katelyn Mulcahy, Getty Images)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Running back Jeremiyah Love – the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft – carries the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp on July 26.
(Joe Rondone, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson participates in a team practice at State Farm Stadium on July 26 in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) practices during training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on July 26.
(Joe Rondone, The Republic)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Abraham Lucas (72) works out during the first day of training camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Washington, on July 25.
(Steven Bisig, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) goes through drills during the first day of training camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Washington, on July 25.
(Steven Bisig, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Football is back! See NFL players in action at training camp
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes walks toward the practice field at Missouri Western State University on July 25 in St Joseph, Missouri.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
NFL games today: Thursday, Aug. 20
There are just two NFL preseason games on Thursday night. Here’s a look at the slate:
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Los Angeles Chargers vs San Francisco 49ers, 10 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Watch the NFL all season on Fubo
NFL preseason Week 2 schedule
Thursday, Aug. 20
Texans vs Raiders at Reliant Stadium on ESPN
Chargers vs 49ers at SoFi Stadium on NFL Network
Friday, Aug. 21
Steelers vs Jets at Acrisure Stadium on NFL Network
Jaguars vs Panthers at EverBank Stadium on NFL+
Broncos vs Packers at Empower Field at Mile High on NFL Network
Saturday, Aug. 22
Lions vs Commanders at Ford Field on NFL+
Browns vs Bills at Huntington Bank Field on NFL Network
Vikings vs Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium on NFL+
Colts vs Falcons at Lucas Oil Stadium on NFL+
Dolphins vs Giants at Hard Rock Stadium on NFL Network
Rams vs Saints at SoFi Stadium on NFL+
Patriots vs Eagles at Gillette Stadium on NFL Network
Buccaneers vs Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium on NFL+
Cardinals vs Cowboys at State Farm Stadium on NFL Network
Sunday, Aug. 23
Titans vs Seahawks at Nissan Stadium on Fox
How to watch NFL preseason games
TV channel (national): NFL Network, ESPN
TV channel (local): By market
The NFL Network will broadcast a number of nationally televised games throughout the preseason. Most games will air in local markets on CBS, NBC, and others. Thursday night’s preseason action will include a pair of nationally televised games, with the Raiders vs. Texans game being broadcast on ESPN and Chargers vs. 49ers on NFL Network.
For cord-cutters, NFL+ Premium will broadcast every preseason game. Fubo carries NFL Network, as well as CBS, NBC, Fox and the ESPN family of networks.
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ESPN+ Unlimited will also carry a number of games.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What NFL games are on today? Here’s the schedule for preseason Week 2
