NFL Preseason Games 2024: 5 matchups to look forward to feat. Chicago Bears vs Buffalo Bills
The 2024 NFL season is inching closer and pre-season is officially underway as the Chicago Bears beat the Houston Texans in the Hall-of-Fame-Game on Thursday.
While starters didn't play, including number one overall pick Caleb Williams, it still brought excitement to fans.
Pre-season is a valuable time for NFL backups and rookies who are looking to make a name for themselves and earn a roster spot. It's also an exciting time to see the top picks and quarterbacks for the first time in live NFL action.
5 NFL preseason games to look forward to
Most teams rest their starters for the majority of the pre-season while they give more reps to backups and third-stringers.
While the pre-season isn't the most exciting NFL football to watch because starters don't play, there are still games to look forward to. Most of those are the ones where the rookies make their debuts.
As of right now, we don't know which rookies will sit/start, and what their workload is, given that pre-season doesn't return until Thursday.
Still, to prep up your appetite, here are the top five NFL pre-season games to look forward to:
#5 New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals
Could we see the debut of Marvin Harrison Jr. next Saturday night against the New Orleans Saints? Harrison Jr., the son of Indianapolis Colts legend and Hall-of-Famer Marvin Harrison, was the first wide receiver taken in this year's draft.
He's been one of the most explosive wide receivers in college football the last two seasons. Harrison Jr. hauled in over 130 catches, 2,400 yards and 28 touchdowns in those two seasons.
He's expected to be Arizona's number one wide recevier and it would be exciting to see Kyler Murray throw him a few passes a week from tonight.
#4 Detroit Lions at New York Giants (Week 1)
Another rookie wide receiver, Malik Nabers of the New York Giants, is set to make his pre-season debut this Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers. Nabers was taken two picks after Harrison Jr. at number six overall in this year's draft.
Like Harrison Jr., Nabers is expected to have a big year and become the number one wideout for the Giants. In his last two seasons in college with the LSU Tigers, Nabers has recorded over 160 receptions, 2,500 yards and 17 touchdowns.
It's unclear if Daniel Jones will make his return at the Giants at quarterback, but if he plays Thursday night, that would be another reason to tune in.
#3 Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots (Week 1)
On Thursday, August, 8, the New England Patriots will face the Carolina Panthers with number three overall pick Drake Maye expected to make his debut.
Even if Maye doesn't make his debut, this will be the first football game in a long time that the Patriots won't have Bill Belichick on the sideline. Jerod Mayo is set to make his pre-season head coaching debut and it'll be just as valuable for him as it will be for his young guys.
#2 Washington Commanders at New York Jets (Week 1)
The Washington Commanders and the New York Jets will kickoff first next Saturday at noon. Second-overall pick Jayden Daniels, the rookie starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders, could make his debut.
On the opposing side of the field, Aaron Rodgers could make a return to the field if he's given the green light by the Jets. He is expected to make a proper comeback at some point this pre-season.
Commanders' head coach Dan Quinn will make his debut as the team's HC next Saturday.
#1 Chicago Bears vs. Buffalo Bills (Week 1)
The most anticipated rookie debut is Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who was the number one overall pick. He didn't make his debut this past Thursday in the Bears' pre-season season-opener against the Houston Texans.
Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze, the Bears' number overall pick in the draft, could make their debuts next Saturday against the Buffalo Bills.