The first week of the 2014 NFL preseason begins on Thursday, August 7, with six games on the schedule, it continues on Friday, August 8, with six more games scheduled, than concludes on Saturday, August 9, with the final four games on the schedule. Previews for the games are listed below.
Thursday, August 7.
Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets, 7:00 PM. ET.
The Colts are going to try to win their second straight division title, and make a deep playoff push with a healthy Reggie Wayne. The Jets will try to improve on their 8-8 record from last season, and make it back to the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
New England Patriots at Washington Redskins, 7:30 PM. ET.
The Patriots are hoping to get back to their fourth straight AFC Championship game, and make their second Super Bowl appearance in four years. The Redskins added Desean Jackson to their team in the offseason, and hope he will be the difference maker for them this year.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens, 7:30 PM. ET.
The 49ers will have to find a way past the Seattle Seahawks, if they want to make it back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. The Ravens missed the playoffs for the first time since John Harbaugh became their coach, and will try to rebound this season.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:00 PM. ET.
The Bengals have been in the playoffs for the past three seasons, but have yet to make it past the first round; they will try to end that streak this season. The Kansas City Chiefs will depend on their running game and defense to carry them back into the playoffs.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos, 9:00 PM. ET.
After winning the Super Bowl last year, the Seahawks will have a target on their backs all season long. Peyton Manning will be trying to get the Broncos back to the Super Bowl, and make up for the disappointing finish the team had last year.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers, 10:00 PM. ET.
The Cowboys will be trying to end their playoff drought this season, but still have a lot of defensive issues to fix. The Chargers also had defensive problems last year, but will have Dwight Freeney back, which should make a big difference for their defense.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
Friday, August 8.
Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons, 7:00 PM. ET.
The Dolphins are hoping last years distractions are behind them, and will be trying to make it into the playoffs. The Falcons will need Matt Ryan to bounce back from a poor 2013 season, and lead his team back into the playoffs.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers 7:30 PM. ET.
The loss of Jarius Byrd will be hard for the defense to get over, but the team will have one of the best offenses in the NFL this year. The Panthers are going to follow the formula they used last year, running the ball and playing good defense.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Jaguars, 7:30 PM. ET.
The Bucs signed Josh McCown to help lead them to their first winning season since 2010, even if they dont make the playoffs, his presence should help them improve their win totals. The Jaguars gave up on their former first round pick Blaine Gabbert, and are still in rebuilding mode, so their expectations arent very high.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings, 8:00 PM. ET.
The Oakland Raiders have a lot of young talent, but they arent expected to make a lot of noise this year. The Vikings feel their rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater can lead them back into the playoffs, after failing to get the desired results from three different quarterbacks last season.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears, 8:00 PM. ET.
The Eagles will try to repeat as division champs without their leading wide receiver from last season Desean Jackson, whom they released in the offseason. The Bears hope to avoid the injuries that derailed their season last year.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams, 8:00 PM. ET.
The Saints will try to prove they are still the best team in the division, and added Pro Bowl safety Jarius Byrd to help bolster their secondary. The Rams will have to find a way to defeat the Seahawks, 49ers and Cardinals, if they want to make the playoffs this year.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
Saturday, August 9.
Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions, 7:30 PM. ET.
The Browns spent a lot of money to build a contender this year, but they will be without last years league leader in receiving yards Josh Gordon, who was suspended by the league for one year. The Lions added Golden Tate to take some pressure off Calvin Johnson, in hopes of making it back into the playoffs.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants, 7:30 PM. ET.
The Steelers have dealt with injuries to significant players for the past two seasons, which resulted in them missing the playoffs both years, they are hoping to be healthy this year, and make it back into the playoffs. The Giants have also had injury problems, but they will need Eli Manning to take better care of the ball this year if they want to make the postseason.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans, 8:00 PM. ET
If Aaron Rodgers stays healthy, the Packers are considered a postseason contender; the addition of Julius Peppers improves their chances of making a deep postseason run. Tennessee showed some signs of improvement before quarterback Jake Locker went down with an injury, with a healthy Locker back, they are hoping to challenge the Colts in their division.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.
Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals, 8:30 PM. ET.
The Texans finished the season with the worst record in the league last year, but still have the talent to win their division if Arian Foster comes back healthy, and they find some stability at the quarterback position. The Cardinals missed the playoffs despite 10 wins last year, and will try to improve their chances of making the playoffs by winning their division.
Game Line: There are no available lines for this game.