NFL Preseason Week 3 2024-25

The NFL preseason week 3 as usual will decide many player’s futures. This is the last chance for players to show whether they belong in the NFL or not. General managers would have their hands full as they have to cut down the roster to 53 before the end of August.

The last preseason week is especially important for depth and role players as their job is on the line. All the players who do not make the team are either released or sent to the practice squad. Many teams will have tough decisions to make for premier positions like quarterback.

Let’s look at some of the games that would have major implications on the team going into the regular season.

Key Games to Watch on NFL Preseason Week 3

August 22, 2024 - Indianapolis Colts @ Cincinnati Bengals

This NFL preseason week 3 matchup will be the last live rep for both Joe Burrow and Anthony Richardson before going into the regular season. Both quarterbacks are returning from an injury and have missed a decent amount of time. It remains to be seen how many snaps Shane Steichen and Zac Taylor will give their quarterback in this game.

August 23, 2024 - San Francisco 49ers @ Las Vegas Raiders

Antonio Pierce will have his hands full during this game. On one side there is the ever-reliable Gardner Minshew who the Raiders added in free agency, while on the other side is a second-year quarterback, Aiden O’Connell, with whom Pierce has a winning record and familiarity factor dating back to last season. This game will see both quarterbacks get one half to play if the starter is not already decided.

The 49ers' defense will be as close to a regular season defense as the Raiders will get during this period. This would be the perfect opportunity for the Raiders to evaluate their QB room.

August 24, 2024 - Pittsburgh Steelers @ Detroit Lions

The Steelers are another AFC team with uncertainty at the QB position. The Steelers, after parting ways with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph, added Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to their quarterback room. Even though Wilson has Tomlin’s backing, a good showing by Fields in the preseason along with fan pressure might make it hard for Tomlin to gain the upper hand.

This game has the potential to decide how the Steelers offense will look for the 2024 regular season. With new OC Arthur Smith at the helm, this will be the last chance for the Steelers to decide on which QB fits his system better.

August 24, 2024 - Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles

The Vikings have two new quarterbacks in their fold for the 2024 season after bidding goodbye to Kirk Cousins. This preseason matchup has the potential to make or break Sam Darnold’s career. If the former 3rd overall pick performs well and wins the starting job, he can showcase his talent to QB-needy teams during the regular season. However, if JJ McCarthy gets the better of him, his days as a starter in the league will be in serious jeopardy.

August 25, 2024 - Arizona Cardinals @ Denver Broncos

It is no secret that the Broncos have one of the least experienced QB rooms in the whole league. Sean Payton has work cut out for him after NFL preseason week 3 gets over. After trading for Zach Wilson in the offseason, Denver is one of the few teams in the league that doesn’t have a clear starter as of June. The first two weeks of preseason will give a look at all three quarterbacks in Payton’s scheme. But this matchup will be the deciding factor on who will get 1st team reps at the start of the season.

Jarrett Stidham has gone on record saying he wants to compete for the starting job while 1st round pick in the 2024 draft Bo Nix is seen as the franchise's future. This game will go a long way in deciding whether Sean Payton will go with all 3 quarterbacks into the regular season or dump one out of Stidham or Wilson.

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