Top two picks square off in NFL preseason Week 1
Browns QB Baker Mayfield, Giants RB Saquon Barkley make pro debuts as NFL exhibition games kick off.
The NFL preseason kicks off in earnest with a hefty 12-game slate Thursday. The lineup includes the pro debuts of the top two picks in the 2018 draft and the anticipated return of one of the game’s best quarterbacks after missing the entire 2017 season.
THURSDAY
(All times Eastern)
Cleveland at New York Giants,
7 p.m. (NFL Network)
The top two picks in this year’s draft are set to square off. With starter Tyrod Taylor likely to get a limited workload, No. 1 pick and Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield should see extended playing time. Giants rookie running back Saquon Barkley — the No. 2 pick in April’s draft — also is expected to make his professional debut after impressing thus far in training camp.
Carolina at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
The public gets its first look at the Bills’ quarterback competition, as AJ McCarron (acquired in a trade with the Bengals this offseason), Nathan Peterman and rookie first-round pick Josh Allen vie to be the team’s starter. Chicago at Cincinnati, 7 p.m.
The Bears are hoping Year 2 of the Mitchell Trubisky era has a similar look to the season Jared Goff had for the Rams last year under a new head coach. Matt Nagy will be tasked with ending a run of four consecutive fourth-place finishes in the NFC North.
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. When the defending Super Bowl champions take the field for the first time since hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, the team’s quarterbacks might be Nate Sudfeld and Joe Callahan; Nick Foles and Carson Wentz could sit out the preseason opener because of injuries. New Orleans at Jacksonville, 7 p.m. Looking to improve upon last season’s 10-6 mark, the Jaguars are hoping a go-to target emerges for quarterback Blake Bortles after the departures of Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns this offseason.
Tampa Bay at Miami, 7 p.m.
Ryan Tannehill — who hasn’t appeared in a game since December 2016 — is expected to return. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are looking to get their offense in order with starting quar- terback Jameis Winston facing a threegame suspension.
Washington at New England,
7:30 p.m.
The Alex Smith era begins for the Redskins, who consider the former
49ers and Chiefs quarterback to be an upgrade over Kirk Cousins.
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore,
7:30 p.m.
The teams have been holding joint practices this week, so this could get salty. Ravens rookie QB Lamar Jackson will look for a more even outing a week after an up-and-down NFL debut in the Hall of Fame Game.
Tennessee at Green Bay, 8 p.m.
A quarterback competition is underway in Green Bay between Brett Hundley and DeShone Kizer to serve as backup to Aaron Rodgers, who should have the Lambeau Field crowd buzzing after he missed the bulk of the 2017 season.
Houston at Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. The Chiefs’ fortunes ride on the second-year quarterback and new starter Patrick Mahomes. On the other side of the field, another passer who was a firstround pick in 2017 — Deshaun Watson — returns after suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Dallas at San Francisco, 10 p.m. (NFL Network)
Dak Prescott has the preseason to work through a new rotation of receivers. Will a newcomer, or an incumbent such as Cole Beasley or Terrance Williams, emerge as Prescott’s primary target in the passing game? Indianapolis at Seattle, 10 p.m. After missing the entire 2017 season following surgery on his throwing shoulder, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will play “about a quarter,” according to new coach Frank Reich.
FRIDAY
Atlanta at New York Jets, 7:30 p.m. (NFL Network)
The Jets feature what is arguably the league’s best preseason quarterback battle, as veteran Josh McCown tries to fight off highly touted rookie Sam Darnold and free agent addition Teddy Bridgewater.
Detroit at Oakland, 10:30 p.m. (NFL Network)
After nine seasons away from coaching, Jon Gruden is back. It’s been 20 years since Gruden started his first tenure as Oakland’s coach, and fans are eager to see what he can do for quarterback Derek Carr and the rest of the offense.
SATURDAY
Minnesota at Denver, 9 p.m. (NFL Network)
The Vikings made Kirk Cousins the highest-paid player in NFL history this offseason. Minnesota’s starting quarterback in 2017 — Case Keenum — is now with the Broncos, who hope they finally have a long-term solution at the position.
Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona, 10 p.m.
The Cardinals overhauled their quarterback room this offseason. Can veteran Sam Bradford hold off rookie firstround draft pick Josh Rosen?