The 2026 NFL preseason continues Thursday, August 13, with six games scheduled across the league as teams continue preparations for the upcoming regular season.
Thursday night’s slate features the Green Bay Packers visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Tennessee Titans taking on the San Francisco 49ers, and four additional preseason matchups.
Games begin at 7:00 p.m. ET, with the final kickoff of the night scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET.
NFL Preseason Games Today – Thursday, August 13
Here is the NFL preseason schedule for Thursday, August 13, 2026:
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 7:00 p.m. | Local |
| Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | 7:00 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots | 7:30 p.m. | Local |
| Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans | 8:00 p.m. | Local |
| Arizona Cardinals vs. Las Vegas Raiders | 8:00 p.m. | Local |
| Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers | 9:00 p.m. | NFL Network |
Broadcast availability can vary by market, and some games may also be available through NFL streaming options.
Packers vs. Steelers
One of Thursday night’s featured matchups has the Green Bay Packers visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers at 7:00 p.m. ET.
The game is scheduled to receive national coverage on NFL Network, giving fans outside the local markets an opportunity to watch the preseason matchup.
Both organizations will use the game to continue evaluating their depth charts as roster decisions become increasingly important later in the preseason.
Lions vs. Bengals
The Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals kick off Thursday’s preseason action at 7:00 p.m. ET.
The game is listed for local television coverage, meaning the specific channel will depend on the viewer’s market.
For both teams, the matchup provides another opportunity to evaluate younger players and reserves competing for roster spots.
Colts vs. Patriots
The Indianapolis Colts visit the New England Patriots with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
The matchup will be carried through local television coverage in the participating markets.
Preseason games can be particularly important for backup quarterbacks and players competing further down the depth chart, especially as teams move closer to final roster decisions.
Chargers vs. Texans
The Los Angeles Chargers face the Houston Texans at 8:00 p.m. ET.
The game is scheduled for local coverage, with television availability depending on the market.
Houston and Los Angeles will continue evaluating their rosters while potentially limiting the workload of established starters.
Cardinals vs. Raiders
The Arizona Cardinals visit the Las Vegas Raiders at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Arizona enters the matchup with an 0-1 preseason record, while Las Vegas is playing with a 0-0 record entering Thursday’s game.
The matchup will be available through local television coverage.
Titans vs. 49ers
Thursday’s NFL preseason schedule concludes with the Tennessee Titans taking on the San Francisco 49ers at 9:00 p.m. ET.
The late game will be televised nationally on NFL Network, making it one of two nationally televised games on Thursday’s schedule.
The matchup gives both teams another chance to evaluate their quarterback rooms, rookies and players fighting for positions on the final 53-man roster.
How to Watch NFL Preseason Games Today
Two games on Thursday’s schedule are listed for national coverage on NFL Network:
Packers vs. Steelers at 7:00 p.m. ET and Titans vs. 49ers at 9:00 p.m. ET.
The remaining games are scheduled for local broadcasts in their respective markets. Fans should check their local listings for the specific station carrying each matchup.
Streaming availability may also vary depending on location and NFL blackout restrictions.
What Time Do NFL Preseason Games Start Today?
The first NFL preseason games on Thursday, August 13 begin at 7:00 p.m. ET, when the Lions face the Bengals and the Packers take on the Steelers.
The complete kickoff schedule runs from 7:00 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. ET, giving NFL fans six preseason games to follow throughout the evening.
NFL Preseason Thursday Night Schedule
Thursday’s six-game slate provides a full night of NFL action:
- 7:00 p.m. ET: Lions vs. Bengals; Packers vs. Steelers
- 7:30 p.m. ET: Colts vs. Patriots
- 8:00 p.m. ET: Chargers vs. Texans; Cardinals vs. Raiders
- 9:00 p.m. ET: Titans vs. 49ers
With the 2026 NFL regular season approaching, Thursday night’s games will provide another important evaluation opportunity for rookies, backups and players competing to secure spots on their teams’ final rosters.