The first preseason football game of the 2025 season took place on Thursday, July 31 as the Los Angeles Chargers dismantled the Detroit Lions 34-7 in the Hall of Fame Game. The star of the show was former top-three pick Trey Lance, who went 13 for 20 and threw two touchdowns as he tries to secure the backup quarterback position for the Bolts.

Preseason football can not only be a low-stakes way to relax, but it can also provide valuable insight for fantasy football and future bets. With one preseason game in the books, Trey Lance should be the first QB off the board in your fantasy draft, and we already bet the Chargers to win the Super Bowl.

Kidding. But I may or may not have purchased a few cheap Trey Lance rookie cards on Thursday night.

When exactly does preseason NFL action return? Is Monday Night Football on tonight? Here’s everything you need to know.

Is Monday Night Football On Tonight (August 4)?

Nope. There’s no NFL football on tonight.

When Does The Next NFL Preseason Game Air?

Preseason football returns on Thursday, August 7 with three games:

• Thursday, August 7: Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens (7:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network and NFL+)
• Thursday, August 7: Cincinnati Bengals @ Philadelphia Eagles (7:30 p.m. ET on NFL+)
• Thursday, August 7: Las Vegas Raiders @ Seattle Seahawks (10:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network and NFL+)

When Does Monday Night Football Start?

The first (and only) MNF preseason game airs Monday, August 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN when the Washington Commanders host the Cincinnati Bengals.

The first Monday Night Football game of the regular season takes place Monday, September 8 when the Chicago Bears host the Minnesota Vikings at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN.

NFL Preseason 2025 Football Schedule:

Out-of-market preseason matchups are available to stream on NFL+, with the majority of games available to watch on NFL Network. Prime Video, CBS, FOX, ESPN, and Prime Video will all air one preseason game.

A complete preseason schedule can be found on the NFL website.

Friday, August 8:

Cleveland Browns @ Carolina Panthers: 7:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Saturday, August 9:

• New York Giants @ Buffalo Bills: 1:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Houston Texans @ Minnesota Vikings: 4:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• New York Jets @ Green Bay Packers: 8:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Sunday, August 10:

• Miami Dolphins @ Chicago Bears: 1:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Chargers: 4:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Friday, August 15:

• Tennessee Titans @ Atlanta Falcons: 7:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Kansas City Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks: 10:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Saturday, August 16:

• Cleveland Browns @ Philadelphia Eagles: 1:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• San Francisco 49ers @ Las Vegas Raiders: 4:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• New York Jets @ New York Giants: 7:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Arizona Cardinals @ Denver Broncos: 9:30 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Monday, August 18:

Cincinnati Bengals @ Washington Commanders: 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Sunday, August 17:

• Jacksonville Jaguars @ New Orleans Saints: 1:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Buffalo Bills @ Chicago Bears: 8:00 p.m. ET (FOX)

Thursday, August 21:

• Pittsburgh Steelers @ Carolina Panthers: 7:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• New England Patriots @ New York Giants: 8:00 p.m. ET (Prime Video)

Friday, August 22:

• Atlanta Falcons @ Dallas Cowboys: 8:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Minnesota Vikings @ Tennessee Titans: 8:00 p.m. ET (CBS)

Saturday, August 23:

• Los Angeles Rams @ Cleveland Browns: 1:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers: 4:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Jacksonville Jaguars @ Miami Dolphins: 7:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
• Las Vegas Raiders @ Arizona Cardinals: 10:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network)