The 2026 NFL Preseason Week 3 schedule takes place from Thursday, August 27 through Saturday, August 29, with all 32 NFL teams playing their final preseason games before the regular season.
Week 3 represents the final opportunity for players fighting for roster spots to make an impression before teams finalize their 53-man rosters.
The 16-game schedule includes nationally televised matchups on NFL Network, Prime Video and CBS, while additional games can be watched through local television affiliates and NFL+.
Here is the complete 2026 NFL Preseason Week 3 schedule, including dates, kickoff times, TV channels and how to watch.
2026 NFL Preseason Week 3 Schedule
Thursday, August 27
| Matchup | Time (ET) | National TV |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills | 7:00 PM | NFL Network |
| New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns | 8:00 PM | Prime Video |
| San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders | 8:00 PM | Local |
| Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Chargers | 10:00 PM | NFL Network |
Week 3 begins Thursday night with four games.
The Steelers and Bills open the evening at 7:00 p.m. ET, while the Patriots visit the Browns in a nationally streamed matchup on Prime Video.
The night concludes with an all-Los Angeles matchup between the Rams and Chargers at 10:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
Friday, August 28 NFL Preseason Schedule
| Matchup | Time (ET) | National TV |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders at Baltimore Ravens | 6:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers | 7:00 PM | Local |
| Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins | 7:00 PM | Local |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Jaguars | 7:30 PM | Local |
| New York Giants at New York Jets | 7:30 PM | Local |
| New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys | 8:00 PM | Local |
| Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs | 8:00 PM | Local |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Philadelphia Eagles | 8:00 PM | CBS |
| Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers | 8:00 PM | Local |
| Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos | 9:00 PM | NFL Network |
Friday features the busiest night of NFL Preseason Week 3 with 10 games scheduled.
The action begins at 6:00 p.m. ET when the Commanders visit the Ravens on NFL Network.
One of the night’s nationally televised highlights features the Cincinnati Bengals against the Philadelphia Eagles at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS.
NFL Network will close out its Friday coverage with the Vikings visiting the Broncos at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Saturday, August 29 NFL Preseason Schedule
| Matchup | Time (ET) | National TV |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts | 1:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans | 6:00 PM | NFL Network |
The 2026 NFL preseason concludes Saturday with two games.
The Lions visit the Colts at 1:00 p.m. ET before the Bears face the Titans at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Both games are scheduled to air nationally on NFL Network.
How to Watch NFL Preseason Week 3
NFL fans have several ways to watch games during the final week of the 2026 preseason.
National coverage is spread across NFL Network, CBS and Prime Video, depending on the matchup.
Games that are not nationally televised are generally carried by the participating teams’ local television affiliates.
NFL+ also provides access to live preseason games, although availability can depend on location and applicable restrictions.
Fans should check local listings before kickoff because preseason television coverage can vary by market.
What Are the Best NFL Preseason Week 3 Games to Watch?
Several games stand out on the final preseason schedule.
The Patriots-Browns matchup receives a national streaming window Thursday night on Prime Video, while the Rams and Chargers close Thursday’s schedule with a late-night Los Angeles matchup.
Friday’s Bengals-Eagles game gets national exposure on CBS, while Commanders-Ravens and Vikings-Broncos provide additional nationally televised options on NFL Network.
Saturday then brings the preseason to an end with Lions-Colts and Bears-Titans.
Why Is NFL Preseason Week 3 Important?
The final preseason game can be particularly important for players competing for positions on the 53-man roster.
Established starters may receive limited playing time or sit out entirely depending on each team’s approach.
For players further down the depth chart, however, Week 3 can represent one of their final opportunities to earn a roster spot.
Coaches can use the games to evaluate backup quarterbacks, offensive line depth, special teams contributors and position battles before making final roster decisions.
When Does the 2026 NFL Preseason End?
The 2026 NFL preseason ends Saturday, August 29, following the Chicago Bears-Tennessee Titans matchup.
Attention then shifts toward final roster decisions and preparations for the regular season.
NFL teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players by 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 30.
That creates a quick turnaround between the final preseason games and one of the most important roster deadlines of the year.
2026 NFL Preseason Week 3 Schedule at a Glance
- Dates: August 27-29, 2026
- Number of games: 16
- Teams playing: All 32 NFL teams
- National TV/Streaming: NFL Network, CBS, Prime Video
- Streaming: NFL+ and applicable network streaming platforms
- Final preseason games: Saturday, August 29
The conclusion of Week 3 officially turns the focus toward the 2026 NFL regular season, as teams finalize their rosters and prepare for Week 1.