NFL Preseason TV Schedule 2026: How To Watch Week 2 Games Live Today
The 2026 NFL preseason is accelerating rapidly, with Week 2 action taking center stage today, August 15, 2026. As coaches begin to trim rosters and evaluate starting positions, today's heavy slate of games offers football fans their best look yet at rookie quarterbacks and revamped defensive schemes. To help you navigate the action, here is the national television and streaming schedule for this weekend's key matchups.
| Date | Matchup | Kickoff Time (ET) | TV Channel / Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 15 | Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens | 12:00 PM | Local Affiliate / NFL+ |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Cincinnati Bengals at Chicago Bears | 1:00 PM | NFL Network / Fubo |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs | 4:00 PM | NFL Network / NFL+ |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers | 7:00 PM | NFL Network / YouTube TV |
| Sun, Aug 16 | Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos | 8:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Mon, Aug 17 | Dallas Cowboys at Las Vegas Raiders | 8:00 PM | ESPN / ESPN+ / ABC |
Roster Battles and Rookie Showcases Take Center Stage
Week 2 of the NFL preseason represents a critical transition phase for all 32 franchises. Unlike the opening weekend, where starters rarely saw more than a single series, coaches typically use these mid-August matchups to give first-team units extended reps. This year, the focus remains squarely on the highly touted 2026 rookie quarterback class as they adjust to the speed of professional defenses.
Beyond the marquee rookies, these games are vital for players on the roster bubble. With NFL front offices preparing for the mandatory roster cutdown from 90 players to the final 53-man limit later this month, every snap on special teams and late-game offensive drive carries immense weight. Defensive coordinators are also testing new hybrid coverage schemes under the league's updated kickoff and defensive contact rules.
Ultimate Guide to Streaming and Broadcast Channels
Navigating the NFL preseason TV schedule can be challenging due to the mix of local market blackouts, national broadcasts, and streaming-only options. NFL Network serves as the primary home for preseason football, carrying dozens of live and tape-delayed broadcasts throughout August. For local games not broadcast nationally, local CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC affiliates hold the rights in each team's home market.
Cord-cutters have several reliable avenues to stream the games live without a traditional cable subscription:
- NFL+: The league's official streaming service offers live out-of-market preseason games on mobile devices and tablets, alongside live home-market radio broadcasts.
- Fubo & YouTube TV: Both live TV streaming platforms carry NFL Network, ESPN, and local broadcast affiliates, making them excellent comprehensive options.
- ESPN+ & Paramount+: Selected games broadcast by ESPN or CBS will stream concurrently on these dedicated digital platforms.
2023 NFL preseason Week 2 preview: Schedule, storylines and analysis ...
The Final Stretch of the 2026 Prep Schedule
Following the conclusion of this weekend's matchups, teams will enter the final phase of their summer preparations. Preseason Week 3, scheduled to run from August 20 to August 23, 2026, will serve as the final dress rehearsal for most franchises before the regular season begins in September.
Head coaches generally rest their high-profile starters during the final preseason games to prevent late-summer injuries, making this weekend’s Week 2 slate the absolute best opportunity to watch star players in live-game action. The official 2026 NFL regular season kicks off on Thursday, September 10, leaving teams with very little time to finalize their schemes and depth charts.
