NFL preseason week 1 starts

An overview of Week 1 preseason action with notable debuts and early schedule highlights.

McCarthy Returns as Dart Shines in NFL Preseason Week 1

Eight preseason games are on the schedule this weekend as fans welcome football back. The Saturday slate features the Giants versus Bills at 1 p.m. ET, with Russell Wilson expected to start for New York and rookie Jaxson Dart in for snaps. The Browns have a rookie quarterback in Shedeur Sanders who impressed in his debut, and Abdul Carter is also set to see action as coaches begin to assess depth at linebacker and other positions.

Recaps from the early games paint a busy picture with Ravens 24 Colts 16 and Eagles 34 Bengals 27 among the results, while Browns 30 Panthers 10 and Patriots 48 Commanders 18 stood out on the other side of the slate. The schedule also lists gametracker options for Texans at Vikings, Cowboys at Rams, Steelers at Jaguars and more, highlighting how teams test rotations and build early depth charts.

Preseason is a test of depth and a chance for teams to grow their long term plans. The emphasis on rookies like Sanders and Dart shows how front offices value development over a single result. Rotating players lets coaches measure readiness and identify which backups can contribute.

With a long weekend of football, expectations shift quickly. Early performances can set tone for roster battles and playing time in the coming weeks. Yet the risk of injuries means teams must balance snap counts with the need to learn about a players character and technique.

Highlights

Rosters will keep evolving as teams test players and schemes.