2025 NFL preseason Week 3: How to watch every game, what to know

• WHERE: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, N.C.)
• WHEN: 7:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network, NFL+*)

STEELERS: It's hard to know what to make of the Steelers' offensive line or run game heading into the final preseason contest, and we might not have much revealed on that front prior to the regular season. Rookie RB Kaleb Johnson has been off to an underwhelming start, although he finally had a few statement runs last week against the Bucs. He and WR Roman Wilson might receive a few more snaps on Thursday as the Steelers try to fine tune everything offensively prior to Week 1.

PANTHERS: How will Dave Canales handle this one? Does he give his starters a few reps after a poor showing last week? QB Bryce Young went 0-for-2 passing with a sack and an interception wiped out by penalty. Then, after six snaps, Canales pulled Young and the starters. They totaled minus-2 yards of offense in those six plays, not counting the 5 yards they moved courtesy of the defensive holding call that erased Young's pick. The defense also struggled in Houston. So while the joint practices there were productive, the game left a bad taste. It will be interesting to see if Canales uses this last preseason outing to sort through the final few roster decisions or give his first teams more chances to impress.

• WHERE: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)
• WHEN: 8:00 p.m. ET (Prime Video, NFL+*)

PATRIOTS: There are still things to sort through on the offensive line. But given that Drake Maye and the starting offense have received a pair of drives in each preseason game, it's no guarantee we'll see the 1s out there on Thursday. One player who has proven he belongs in some form is WR Efton Chism III, who has been a camp and preseason standout. If Chism's snap count ticks down against the Giants, that could be an indication he's likely to be on the final roster. What do we make of projected starting S Kyle Dugger playing late into the second game? If he continues to get significant burn, that might be a sign he's not in the Pats' future plans.

GIANTS: QB Jaxson Dart has made a strong statement to receive early playing time with two impressive preseason outings, completing 26 of his 35 total passes (74.3%) for 291 yards and two TDs, with only one sack (for zero yards). Dart also has shown some athleticism, with five rushes for 29 yards and a TD sneak. Last week, Brian Daboll even brought him in for a one-play appearance during a series otherwise run by Russell Wilson -- so who knows how Daboll will handle Thursday's exhibition finale? Even if Wilson is on track to start the opener, Dart should log enough reps to be on ready-alert for the beginning of the season.

• WHERE: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. ET (NFL+*)

EAGLES: The Eagles traded with the Texans for WR John Metchie III in what was their second preseason deal after acquiring CB Jakorian Bennett from the Raiders -- who proceeded to play more than half of the defensive snaps in his Philly debut last week. It wouldn't be shocking to see Metchie force-fed some reps in this one, especially after Johnny Wilson's reported leg injury (he was seen being carted off the field during Tuesday's practice), which underlines the need for depth behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson. Even so, it would behoove Metchie to establish himself quickly; Wilson and Ainias Smith have made strong impressions over a longer period of time than Metchie will have before the season begins, and undrafted rookie WR Darius Cooper also has had an impressive summer. However the final WR slots shake out, the state of the position group will be that much better if Metchie can show he belongs.

JETS: We know the Jets can run the ball, but the passing game has been subpar in training camp and two preseason games, especially when the starters are working -- Justin Fields is only 4 of 9 passing in the preseason following a 1-for-5 outing against the Giants. But it's not clear if he and Garrett Wilson will get more chances to hone their connection vs. the Eagles. The Jets' search for more WR help beyond Wilson continues, too. We might see a lot of receivers rotate through in the game, with the team hoping to ID one or two playmakers, especially after the catch.

• WHERE: Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tenn.)
• WHEN: 8:00 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+, NFL+*)

VIKINGS: The Vikings held back their starters, along with some key reserves, last week against the Patriots. Now they head into the final preseason game with questions about their backup QBs after J.J. McCarthy. Sam Howell hasn't had a banner summer, and Brett Rypien is with his sixth organization since 2022, but undrafted rookie Max Brosmer has opened eyes. Even if Brosmer's preseason stats haven't been mind-blowing, it seems that head coach Kevin O'Connell has seen plenty of what he wants from the former Gophers QB, to whom he keeps giving reps. That said, it's hard to picture KOC anointing a rookie QB as McCarthy's Week 1 backup. The apparent depth-chart uncertainty is something to monitor heading into Nashville.

TITANS: QB Cam Ward was a bit erratic in the second preseason game, but he also made some great throws that were not caught. That's somewhat understandable, since he was working without presumptive starters Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett. But Ward also needs his other pass catchers to step up. Van Jefferson clearly must do more to impress. James Proche, even with some standout moments, does not seem like a lock to make the roster. Rookies Elic Ayomanor and Gunnar Helm both have looked game-ready, but it remains to be seen what their regular-season roles will look like. There appear to be jobs to be won on offense. 

• WHERE: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
• WHEN: 8:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network, NFL+*)

FALCONS: There could be multiple players scrambling for the final few spots at two positions. Draft picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. both will surely be on the roster, and Leonard Floyd and Arnold Ebiketie figure to have big roles. But if the Falcons only keep four true pass rushers, that means recent third-rounder Bralen Trice and former practice-squadder Khalid Kareem could be in trouble. At wide receiver, the top spots are spoken for, but beyond that, the Falcons have David Sills, Chris Blair and Dylan Drummond all making big moves. How these players perform at Dallas could determine their immediate fates come cutdown day.

COWBOYS: Has Joe Milton III done enough to be the Cowboys' QB2? His play through two preseason games has been highly inconsistent, featuring too many mistakes, even though his physical traits remain so fascinating. Dallas could be in big trouble if unquestioned starter Dak Prescott gets hurt; Will Grier is the only other QB on the roster now, so keep an eye on how the reps vs. Atlanta are split up. The Cowboys might be open to shifting the depth chart, and a poor showing by both QBs could lead to a trade for a veteran to serve as Prescott's backup.

• WHERE: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Mo.)
• WHEN: 8:20 p.m. ET (NFL+*)

BEARS: Caleb Williams' strong two drives against the Bills could indicate that he and the rest of the first-team offense will be on the sidelines against the Chiefs -- except at left tackle, where the Bears are still working through their options. Braxton Jones is the fallback veteran, while unknown Theo Benedet has stepped up his pursuit of the job quite nicely and 2024 third-rounder Kiran Amegadjie has done his best to make up for lost time. Those three are your likely Week 1 candidates there, with second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo now working almost exclusively on the right side. This is a major worry heading into this game, with Week 1 against the Vikings and their fierce pass rush right around the corner.

CHIEFS: Coming out of the preseason loss to the Seahawks, the Chiefs had some trouble spots emerging. The first was the health of the secondary, following injuries to CBs Nohl Williams (concussion) and Nazeeh Johnson (shoulder) and safety Mike Edwards (hamstring). This is a deeper spot for the Chiefs, but they'll have to manage Friday's snaps smartly while still prepping for Week 1. Running back depth also stands as something of a concern. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt likely will man the top two spots, but beyond them, Carson Steele and Elijah Mitchell have not been obvious standouts. Brashard Smith, who played wideout in college before switching to RB, appears to have more learning to do. Will this game make K.C. feel better about its backfield options?

• WHERE: Northwest Stadium (Landover, Md.)
• WHEN: 12:00 p.m. ET (NFL+*)

RAVENS: As well-built as their roster might be, the Ravens appear to be tinkering (or at least willing to tinker) with the secondary and pass-rush spots, which should only be more true after Adisa Isaac's elbow injury. That probably will be the biggest source of drama on defense. On offense, John Harbaugh took away some suspense by announcing there will be four running backs on the opening 53, not counting FB Patrick Ricard. But which four? Derrick Henry, Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell feel locked in. Rasheen Ali has made a case for himself, rushing for 62 yards on 19 carries in the win over Dallas. Ali, D'Ernest Johnson and Myles Gaskin are likely the options to round out the group. Can this game decide that battle?

COMMANDERS: The depth at running back feels strong, but there could be some tough decisions after this game. Jacory Croskey-Merritt has run so well, he feels like a virtual lock for the 53-man roster. That's why it makes sense to see trade buzz around Brian Robinson Jr. Will the Commanders keep four RBs? Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jeremy McNichols and Demetric Felton continue to fight for their place on the depth chart. Let's see how the Commanders handle this position vs. Baltimore.

• WHERE: Ford Field (Detroit)
• WHEN: 1:00 p.m. ET (NFL+*)

TEXANS: Not only did the John Metchie III trade provide a little relief from a logjam at receiver, but it also yielded tight end Harrison Bryant, who has a similar skill set to the injured Brevin Jordan. Saturday's game could serve as a crash course for Bryant as he eyes the TE3 role. Of course, even after Metchie's exit, wide receiver is still pretty crowded; the final few spots there could come down to special-teams value among players such as Xavier Hutchinson, Braxton Berrios and Justin Watson.

LIONS: The roster is largely set, but there are some unknowns. Three talented receivers -- Dominic Lovett, Tom Kennedy and Jackson Meeks -- might be battling for one spot. The defensive line remains in flux after losing rookie Ahmed Hassanein, who had been coming on of late, to injury, putting the spotlight on pass rushers such as Nate Lynn and Isaac Ukwu. There also could be movement in the secondary, with Erick Hallett trying to hold off Nick Whiteside and others at corner.

• WHERE: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
• WHEN: 1:00 p.m. ET (NFL+*)

BRONCOS: The final few running back spots feel very much up for grabs -- and the total number Denver keeps feels very much up in the air. Sean Payton admitted it was tough giving out reps last game with so many mouths to feed. Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin have done a lot of good work to press for what could be the third and fourth spots. That could mean Audric Estime and Blake Watson might have some work to do, starting in this game. 

SAINTS: The Spencer Rattler-Tyler Shough battle has captured most outsiders’ attention, and rightfully so. But irrespective of that decision, the Saints still have a lot of moving parts following the swap with the Jaguars of DT Khalen Saunders for C Luke Fortner. Starting in the backfield, there’s a lot of uncertainty behind Alvin Kamara (and maybe Kendre Miller). There are intriguing options in former higher-round vets Cam Akers and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, converted receiver Velus Jones Jr. and rookies Devin Neal and Marcus Yarns. Defensively, it feels like the back end of the roster is hardly set in stone, putting some real emphasis on this game.

• WHERE: Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati)
• WHEN: 1:00 p.m. ET (NFL+*)

COLTS: Now that the Colts have named Daniel Jones their starting QB, that drama should be old news by kickoff on Saturday. The new focus could be the secondary, which has suffered a rash of injuries lately. Rookie Justin Walley, who was tracking toward starting, suffered a season-ending torn ACL. Kenny Moore (knee) and JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones (hamstrings) all remain out, leading to the Colts signing Xavien Howard. Even undrafted rookie Johnathan Edwards, who earned a chance at first-team reps, suffered a concussion last week. This will be a tricky position to navigate against the Bengals.

BENGALS: Mitchell Tinsley has done everything in his power to make the roster, and Charlie Jones has put forth his best foot, too, bringing the WR position into clearer focus. The Bengals haven't announced their plans there, but if Tinsley and Jones are secure, it could pit Jermaine Burton, Isaiah Williams and others against each other for the final receiver spot on the roster. Joe Burrow almost certainly won't play in this one, but you can imagine the Bengals wanting to throw the ball enough to evaluate their receivers headed into the final days before cutdowns.

• WHERE: Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland)
• WHEN: 1:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network, NFL+*)

RAMS: With the news on QB Matthew Stafford and OT Alaric Jackson seemingly improving, the offensive focus turns to the final few spots -- namely, how many running backs, receivers and tight ends the Rams will keep. Not every position has a clear job up for grabs, but RB Cody Schrader, WR Britain Covey and TE Davis Allen, among others, are some of the skill-position players who have made pushes for inclusion. There also are some fun battles at outside linebacker (Brennan Jackson vs. Nick Hampton) and in the secondary (between Josh Wallace, Charles Woods, Derion Kendrick, A.J. Green and others).

BROWNS: The Browns named Joe Flacco the Week 1 starter, but the QB fascination roars on in Cleveland. The preseason finale could tell us a lot about how the Browns view the position -- and what their plans might be -- heading into the season opener. Dillon Gabriel's performance was a mixed bag in his preseason debut, but he played well enough that he should earn another look. If Shedeur Sanders (oblique) is healthy, he and Gabriel figure to each get their shot against the Rams, hoping to move up the pecking order. Where Kenny Pickett fits in the picture isn't clear. Will the Browns keep four QBs? Three? What happens this weekend could indicate where they're leaning.

• WHERE: Lambeau Field (Green Bay, Wis.)
• WHEN: 4:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network, NFL+*)

SEAHAWKS: We might have seen plenty of OG Grey Zabel and S Nick Emmanwori, the Seahawks’ top two draft picks this year, so far in the preseason. Maybe WR Tory Horton has even done enough to sit out the finale. But other rookies figure to receive good time against the Packers. Chief among them are TE Elijah Arroyo and QB Jalen Milroe, two rookies who could see the field this season. They should be out there plenty on Saturday, with the hope that they can fine tune the exciting athleticism they’ve displayed so far. 

PACKERS: It was a tough outing last week for a few offensive linemen, so the Packers will want to clean up the blocking a bit. Rookie Anthony Belton committed a whopping five (!) first-half penalties, and starting guard Donovan Jennings had a few slipups, too. The Packers are trying to figure out their OL rotations, and some decisions could come based on the final few days of action. There also are RB jobs to be won and lost, with Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd all trying to show out as the top reserves behind Josh Jacobs.

• WHERE: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)
• WHEN: 7:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network, NFL+*)

JAGUARS: The Khalen Saunders trade might have been the first step in adding some defensive depth prior to cutdowns. The Jaguars will use this game against the Dolphins to help determine their weakest spots everywhere, but certainly on defense and especially in the secondary. Travis Hunter’s CB eligibility makes corner less of a depth concern, but the final few safety spots appear up for grabs. There also are battles at linebacker, where former third-rounder Chad Muma might be fighting for a role. 

DOLPHINS: Quinn Ewers bounced back from a poor preseason debut at Chicago to play far better at Detroit. Ewers seems very much in line to earn a roster spot, but another strong showing against the Jaguars might be nice for confirmation. He can also help clear up some receiver depth. Dee Eskridge, Tahj Washington, Theo Wease and Andrew Armstrong are all jockeying for position, with the final few roster spots in flux. Offensive line is another position that needs sorting out entering the Jags game.

• WHERE: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. ET (NFL+*)

BILLS: The Bills sat their starters against Chicago and were blown out, 38-0. Whether it matters or not, Sean McDermott will want a better effort from his team in this one. It would be shocking if any notable players saw action, but there are still jobs to be secured. Tyrell Shavers, Laviska Shenault Jr. and Kristian Wilkerson could be playing musical chairs for one or two seats at the WR table. There also needs to be some sorting out on the offensive line and at linebacker. 

BUCCANEERS: Can Josh Williams find a role as a fourth running back on this team? Is Tez Johnson steaming toward a roster spot over, say, Trey Palmer? Are the final few secondary spots ironed out? We’ll be watching those positions in particular against the Bills. The Bucs have a lot of moving parts as we inch closer to Week 1, with the health of some key offensive players, such as Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs, not known. That will make cutdowns interesting and stressful, and this final game could have a say in who stays and goes.

• WHERE: Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)
• WHEN: 8:30 p.m. ET (NFL+*)

CHARGERS: Will they keep three quarterbacks? Justin Herbert has started 17 games three of the past four seasons, but the Chargers were a mess without him in 2023. Taylor Heinicke served as the backup last season and could do so again, but Trey Lance has opened eyes this preseason and could push Heinicke aside for the QB2 job. And do the Chargers perhaps want to keep DJ Uiagalelei to develop on the side? Some of these answers could come into sharper focus after they face the Niners.

49ERS: The Niners might be leaning heavier on rookies this season than in the past, but a few are banged up. Upton Stout has missed time, hurting his bid to win the nickel CB job, and DT C.J. West has impressed but is banged up coming into this one. This game might actually be bigger for other rookies looking to crack the rotation, including OL Connor Colby, DL Sebastian Valdez and LB Nick Martin.

• WHERE: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)
• WHEN: 10:00 p.m. ET (NFL Network, NFL+*)

RAIDERS: Geno Smith and Aidan O’Connell project to be the top two quarterbacks on the roster, but rookie Cam Miller can help convince the Raiders to keep three QBs by showing out at Arizona. Both O’Connell and Miller struggled last week. It also could be a final tune-up for rookie WRs Dont’e Thornton Jr., Jack Bech and Tommy Mellott. Vegas' latest depth chart indicates Thornton might have done enough to secure a big role, but Bech and Mellott have experience to gain prior to the regular season.

CARDINALS: The secondary felt like a problem area entering camp, with injuries clouding the unit. Garrett Williams, Max Melton and Will Johnson have helped solidify the top of the CB rotation, but it’s the depth thereafter that requires inspection. How will the final few spots be decided among 2024 third-round pick Elijah Jones, 2025 fifth-rounder Denzel Burke, Kei’Trel Clark and Darren Hall? Jones didn’t struggle last week, but the others mostly did. This final preseason game could split the final few hairs at corner.