🔥 Top 5 Must-Watch NFL Preseason Games in 2025

QB battles, top picks, and grown-man revenge arcs — yeah, we’re watching.

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1. Browns at Eagles

📍 Saturday, Aug. 16 – 1 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Let’s not kid ourselves — the Browns are absolute must-see TV this August. This team isn’t just running a quarterback competition. They’re hosting a 4-man royal rumble with:

• Joe Flacco (NFL’s uncle)
• Kenny Pickett (still holding on)
• Dillon Gabriel (short king trying to make it)
• Shedeur Sanders (the heir apparent and the one everyone’s tuning in for)

It’s chaos. It’s camp battles with stakes. And oh yeah, it’s against the defending Super Bowl champs. Even if the Eagles rest their starters, the Browns’ QB drama makes this feel like a pilot episode of Hard Knocks: Volume 2.

Also… Pickett revenge game? Gabriel vs the world? This game is loaded.

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2. Vikings at Titans

📍 Friday, Aug. 22 – 8 p.m. ET (CBS)

Let’s call it what it is: Cam Ward vs. J.J. McCarthy is appointment television. This is your only chance to see the No. 1 overall pick at home this preseason and Brian Callahan’s Titans want to get Ward comfy, fast.

Ward will have a new-look offense around him:

• Tyler Lockett, Van Jefferson
• Dan Moore Jr., Kevin Zeitler up front
• Probably a couple starters in with him for rhythm

On the other side? McCarthy time.

The Vikings let Sam Darnold walk after a 14–3 season. That’s not faith … that’s a franchise bet. We’ll see if it’s smart.

Bonus: Minnesota’s O-line is fully retooled and should be out there to protect their investment.

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3. Jaguars at Saints

📍 Sunday, Aug. 17 – 1 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

This game is about one man: Travis Hunter.

The Jaguars jumped the board to take him at No. 2 overall, and we’ll finally get to see how they plan to use him:

• WR?
• CB?
• Both?
• Chaos?

Add in a full QB cage match in New Orleans between:

• Jake Haener
• Spencer Rattler
• Rookie Tyler Shough (25 years old, fighting history)

This game might get weird which means it might be great.

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4. Colts at Ravens

📍 Thursday, Aug. 7 – 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Let’s talk desperation.

Anthony Richardson vs. Daniel Jones — one of them’s about to be labeled a bust for good.

• Richardson has the traits. But he’s been scattershot.
• Jones has the experience. But the turnovers won’t stop.

This battle has edge. And the Ravens? They don’t play around in August. John Harbaugh’s squad is 20-5 in their last 25 preseason games. You want tension? It’s here.

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5. Jets at Giants (a.k.a. Snoopy Bowl)

📍 Saturday, Aug. 16 – 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

This one’s a low-key heater.

• Justin Fields in green for the first time
• Possibly his first real extended look as a Jet
• He’ll want a moment in MetLife — and this is it

For the Giants? The room is crowded and weird:

• Russell Wilson (likely benched)
• Jameis Winston (eternal preseason icon)
• Jaxson Dart (rookie, 1st rounder, spotlight’s on)

The Giants traded up for Dart, so you know the pressure’s on immediately. This game could turn into QB Hunger Games on both sidelines.

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📺 Final Word from Unc

It’s the preseason — but if you’re reading this, you’re already locked in.
QB battles. Rookie debuts. Revenge arcs.
And five games that matter (even when they don’t).

Whether it’s Cam Ward’s debut, Shedeur’s first NFL throws, or Jaxson Dart trying not to implode…August football’s giving you everything if you know where to look.

Circle the dates. Turn the volume up. Let’s ride.