NFL games today: Preseason schedule, TV channels, score updates, highlights
NFL games today: Preseason schedule, TV channels, score updates, highlights
Tom Viera, USA TODAYFri, August 14, 2026 at 10:06 AM UTC
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Football is back.
The NFL preseason is underway, with its Week 1 schedule delivering a Friday night lights tripleheader.
While the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 6, between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers, was technically the start of the preseason, the other 30 teams get their first taste of live game action this week.
Thursday's NFL games were an appetizer to Friday and Saturday's slate.
Half a dozen teams will take the field on Friday, and NFL fans will get their first look at the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos. Some starters will put on the pads, including the entire Jets starting group.
Notably, Tua Tagovailoa will start on Friday night for the Falcons, his first taste of live game snaps since joining Atlanta as a free agent.
Here's what to know about the NFL games on Friday night as the first week of preseason action continues:
NFL games today: Friday, Aug. 14
Three preseason games are on Friday night. Here's the slate:
New York Jets vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins, 7 p.m. ET
Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos, 7 p.m. ET
Watch preseason NFL games with Fubo (free trial)
Falcons vs. Broncos final score
Broncos 27, Falcons 7
Jets vs. Buccaneers final score
Buccaneers 24, Jets 16
Commanders vs. Dolphins final score
Commanders 20, Dolphins 7
Falcons vs. Broncos score update: End of third quarter
Broncos 24, Falcons 7
Commanders vs. Dolphins score update: End of third quarter
Commanders 17, Dolphins 7
Jets vs. Buccaneers score update: End of third quarter
Buccaneers 17, Jets 13
Jets vs. Buccaneers instant analysis, reactions
USA TODAY Sports' Nick Brinkerhoff gives a breakdown of all the notable action from the Jets vs. Buccaneers preseason game here.
Falcons vs. Broncos instant analysis, reactions
USA TODAY Sports' Jacob Camenker gives a breakdown of all the notable action from the Falcons vs. Broncos preseason game here in which Tua Tagovailoa made his debut for his new team.
Broncos WR Courtland Sutton lights up preseason game
The veteran wide receiver was on the field for the Broncos' first two possessions and put together a few highlight-reel plays in the process. He finished his first game action in 2026 with three catches for 60 yards and nearly came down with a 40-yard touchdown on one of them.
Jets vs. Buccaneers score at halftime
Jets 13, Buccaneers 10
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Commanders vs. Dolphins score at halftime
Commanders 17, Dolphins 7
Falcons vs. Broncos score at halftime
Broncos 24, Falcons 0
Jets vs. Buccaneers score update: End of first quarter
Jets 10, Buccaneers 0
Falcons vs. Broncos score update: End of first quarter
Broncos 7, Falcons 0
Commanders vs. Dolphins score update: End of first quarter
Dolphins 7, Commanders 0
Garrett Wilson in midseason form for Jets
Wilson looks fully recovered from the knee injury that plagued his 2025 season. He caught two of three targets from rookie QB Cade Klubnik on the Jets' first drive and none more important than the acrobatic 21-yard reception on third and long to extend New York's opening drive.
Dolphins rookie WR Caleb Douglas makes highlight-reel catch
The No. 75 overall pick in the 2026 draft reeled in an acrobatic catch in his first preseason action. Malik Willis lofted a pass down the right side and with some excellent concentration, the Texas Tech product was able to secure the pass.
Dolphins starters playing tonight vs. Commanders
On Wednesday, Aug. 12, head coach Jeff Hafley announced QB Malik Willis will start Friday's preseason game against the Commanders. Earlier in the week, Hafley notified the entire roster that they were to be ready to play in the preseason opener.
Broncos starters playing vs. Falcons, Bo Nix out
Head coach Sean Payton announced Wednesday, Aug. 12, that starters are expected to play 10-15 snaps. QB Jarrett Stidham will start Friday's preseason game against the Falcons. He added that Bo Nix will not play against Atlanta but he expects him to play in preseason Weeks 2 and 3.
Falcons starters playing, Tua Tagovailoa starts vs. Broncos
Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Wednesday, Aug. 12, that starters will play one series in Friday's preseason opener against the Broncos. QB Tua Tagovailoa will start the game. "It's all part of the plan for getting guys ready," Stefanski said.
Jets QB Geno Smith not playing vs. Buccaneers
The Jets previously announced all starters will play in tonight's game but now it appears their veteran quarterback will not play. According to NFL Media's Mike Garafolo, Smith will sit tonight due to a sore foot. He added that it's a precautionary decision, and if it were the regular season, Geno would play.
NFL preseason Week 1 schedule
Thursday, Aug. 13
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Detroit Lions, 7 p.m. ET
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers, 7 p.m. ET
New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts, 7:30 p.m. ET
Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 8 p.m. ET
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Arizona Cardinals, 8 p.m. ET
San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans, 9 p.m. ET
Friday, Aug. 14
Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos, 7 p.m. ET
New York Jets vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7 p.m. ET
Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Aug. 15
Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4 p.m. ET
New Orleans Saints vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4 p.m. ET
Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 7 p.m. ET
Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8 p.m. ET
Watch NFL preseason action with Fubo (free trial)
How to watch NFL preseason games -
TV channel (national): NFL Network
TV channel (local): By market
Live stream: NFL+ (for all games) | ESPN+ Unlimited | Fubo (for national games)
The NFL Network will broadcast several nationally televised games throughout the preseason, including Friday's Buccaneers-Jets matchup. A majority of games will be broadcast in local markets on CBS, NBC and others.
For cord-cutters looking to stream the games, NFL+ Premium will broadcast every preseason game and Fubo carries NFL Network, as well as CBS, NBC, Fox and the ESPN family of networks.
ESPN+ Unlimited will also carry a number of games. The Falcons and Broncos matchup will be available on ESPN+ Unlimited, however the Dolphins and Commanders will only be locally televised.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL games today: Preseason schedule, TV channels, score updates, highlights
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