Football is finally back. Sorta.
We all know the drill. You spend six months staring at a blank calendar, and then suddenly, the nfl preseason schedule 2024 drops and everyone acts like it's the Super Bowl. Except, well, it isn't. Not even close. But if you’re a die-hard fan or a fantasy degenerate, these few weeks in August are basically Christmas morning.
It’s the time of year when we overanalyze a third-string quarterback's footwork against a prevent defense. We fall in love with a wide receiver who won't even make the 53-man roster. Honestly, it's beautiful.
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The Hall of Fame Game: Where it All Started
The whole thing kicked off in Canton, Ohio. The Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears met on August 1 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. It’s always a bit of a weird vibe. You’ve got the legends getting their gold jackets one day, and then you’ve got guys fighting for their lives on the field the next.
The Bears actually walked away with a 21-17 win in that one, though the game was shortened by some pretty nasty weather. Typical. It gave us our first look at the new-look Texans after their massive 2023 surge, even if C.J. Stroud didn't spend much time out there.
Why the NFL Preseason Schedule 2024 Looked Different
Since the league moved to the 17-game regular season, the preseason has been chopped down. It’s a three-week sprint now. Most teams play three games total, unless you're the Bears or Texans, who got that extra fourth game because of the Hall of Fame festivities.
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Week 1: The Rookie Debut Fever
Week 1 (August 8–11) was basically the "Rookie Watch" festival. This is where the hype trains usually leave the station.
The New England Patriots hosted the Carolina Panthers on August 8 to get things rolling. For Pats fans, it was the first real chance to see Drake Maye in a live-fire situation. Over in Chicago, the hype for Caleb Williams was already reaching a boiling point. When the Bears faced the Bills on August 10, people were treating every completion like a historic event.
Meanwhile, some of the veterans were nowhere to be found. Sean McVay and the Rams? They basically treat the preseason like it’s contagious. You won't see Matthew Stafford anywhere near a preseason snap. It’s a fascinating contrast—some teams use these games to "establish culture," while others just want to get through 60 minutes without an ACL tear.
Week 2: The "Dress Rehearsal" (Kinda)
August 15–18 gave us a bit more meat on the bone. Traditionally, Week 2 is when coaches might—might—let the starters play more than a single series.
- Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots: A Thursday night special on August 15.
- Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos: A Sunday night showdown on August 18.
- Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs: A Saturday afternoon clash where Patrick Mahomes actually took some snaps.
The Chiefs/Lions game on August 17 was a fun one. Mahomes did Mahomes things, which is always weird to see in August. You’re watching him scramble and you’re just screaming at the TV, "Get down! It doesn't count!"
Week 3: The Bubble Battle
By the time August 22–25 rolled around, the stars were mostly wrapped in bubble wrap. This week is for the "bubble players." These are the guys who have been living in a dorm room for three weeks, praying they don't get "the talk" from the GM.
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The nfl preseason schedule 2024 wrapped up with some interesting matchups, like the New England Patriots at Washington Commanders on Sunday night, August 25. This was the final audition. For guys like Jayden Daniels, it was about showing that the stage isn't too big. For the 5th-string linebacker, it was about showing enough on special teams to stay in the league for another year.
The Real Value of These Games
Most people tell you the preseason is boring. They’re mostly right. If you’re looking for high-level execution, you’re in the wrong place.
But if you look closely, you see the real stuff. You see how a coach handles a two-minute drill. You see which undrafted free agent has that "dog" in him. Real fans watch the footwork of the backup left tackle because they know one rolled ankle in October makes that guy the most important person on the planet.
Actionable Takeaways for Next Season
If you feel like you missed the nuances of the 2024 slate, here is how you should approach the preseason next time:
- Ignore the Scores: A 30-0 blowout in August means nothing. The Ravens once won 24 preseason games in a row. It didn't guarantee them a ring.
- Follow the Snap Counts: Look at who plays in the first quarter. If a veteran is out there in the third quarter of a preseason game, his roster spot might be in serious trouble.
- Watch the Lines: Skills positions are flashy, but the preseason is the only time you can really see the depth of an offensive line before the real hits start.
- Special Teams is Key: If you’re wondering who will make the bottom of the roster, watch the gunners on punt coverage. That’s where jobs are won.
The nfl preseason schedule 2024 served its purpose. It got us through the summer. It gave us a few "wow" plays from the rookies. And most importantly, it meant that the real football—the stuff that actually makes us lose sleep—was finally around the corner.