NFL Network goes 'Back to Football' with preseason Week 1

Published: Aug 10, 2011 at 08:09 AM

Special "Around the League: Preseason 2011" airs Thursday

Super Bowl champion Packers kick off their preseason live on NFL Network vs. Browns on Saturday

NFL Network is No. 1 destination for fans to get "Back to Football"

On Thursday, Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET, "Around the League: Preseason 2011" provides live look-ins of preseason games, beginning with the opening kickoffs. Host Rich Eisen and analyst Daryl Johnston take viewers around the league, delivering live game action and highlights of the Eagles' Michael Vick against the Ravens, Patriots' Tom Brady taking on the Jaguars, the quarterback battle between Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow in Denver, and more.

NFL Network's live preseason game schedule kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET when the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers take the field in Cleveland against the Browns. Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers leads the high-scoring Packers offense against quarterback Colt McCoy. Cleveland's Pat Shurmur makes his NFL head coaching debut after spending last season as the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams.

NFL Network's schedule featuring all 64 preseason games begins Thursday at 11 p.m. ET when Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens travel to Philadelphia to face Vick and the new-look Eagles.

Coverage of Week 1 of the preseason continues with two games on Friday, Aug. 12. At 4 p.m. ET, Tom Brady and new wide receiver Chad Ochocinco lead the New England Patriots against the Jacksonville Jaguars in rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert's first start. At 11:30 p.m. ET, Denver quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow battle for the starting position against Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys.

On Sunday, Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. ET, NFL Network airs No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton's first game when the Carolina Panthers open their preseason schedule hosting the New York Giants.

In total, NFL Network's Week 1 preseason game coverage consists of 43 games (including re-airs), highlighted by seven contests on Saturday, August 13 and eight on Sunday, Aug. 14 beginning at 7 a.m. ET. Week 1 matchups continue Monday, Aug. 15 through Thursday, Aug. 18, at 7 a.m. ET, with six games on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and four games on Thursday.

For the second year, NFL.com's NFL Preseason Live offers live preseason games where available (games only available out of market) with full DVR controls allowing fans to pause, rewind and replay both live and archived game action. Additional viewing options include picture-in-picture -- dual and quad views -- providing the ability to watch multiple games on the same screen.

NFL Network air times for 2011 preseason Week 1 games

*NFL Network** airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log on to www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.*

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