The 2025 NFL preseason has officially begun, launching four action-packed days featuring 16 matchups and providing fans and analysts alike with the first look at teams’ new lineups, rookies, and tactical changes. As anticipation for the regular season builds, preseason Week 1 serves as a proving ground for new talent and a testing phase for coaching staffs across the league.
Kicking off the slate on Thursday, the Baltimore Ravens hosted the Indianapolis Colts at 7 p.m. ET, followed closely by the Cincinnati Bengals visiting the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Las Vegas Raiders facing the Seattle Seahawks to close out the night. Eight of these contests are broadcast live on NFL Network and streamed on NFL+, giving fans nationwide unprecedented access to preseason action.
Preseason is a critical time for evaluating rookie talent, and this year is no exception. All eyes are on high-profile first-year players such as Ashton Jeanty with the Raiders, Jihaad Campbell for the Eagles, and Shemar Stewart on the Bengals’ defensive line. Their debuts are highly anticipated after standout college careers and impressive training camps, with each carrying the potential for immediate impact. For the Colts, rookie tight end Tyler Warren and cornerback Justin Walley have already made headlines in training camp, while Baltimore’s Malaki Starks could soon form one of the league’s premier safety tandems alongside Kyle Hamilton.
Quarterback competitions are also a focal point. The Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen has outlined a clear preseason plan: Anthony Richardson will start the opener before Daniel Jones, looking to revive his career after leaving the Giants, takes over for the remainder of the first half. Jones is expected to start the second preseason game, indicating a live competition for the starting role. Meanwhile, teams like the Bengals continue to build around star QB Joe Burrow, with tight end Noah Fant signing a one-year deal hoping to capitalize on Cincinnati’s recent trend of tight ends posting career-best numbers.
The preseason schedule is intentionally flexible in the final weeks, with the NFL holding off on announcing exact dates and kickoff times for late-season matchups until outcomes become clearer. In Weeks 17 and 18, select games will be played on Saturday, with others scheduled for Thursday, Sunday, or Monday nights to maximize viewership and competitive balance. These details are typically released after the preceding week concludes, underscoring the league’s commitment to high-stakes, meaningful late-season football (NFL Schedule – Week 1 Preseason, 2025).
For fans and bettors, preseason performance can offer valuable data points for regular season forecasts and futures markets, especially as rookies and new signings reveal their on-field potential. As the league’s landscape continues to shift, preseason Week 1 is a vital reference for depth chart battles, position competitions, and team momentum heading into the 2025 NFL season. For full schedules, live updates, and in-depth team previews, the official NFL.com Preseason Coverage and The Athletic’s NFL Preseason Live Updates provide comprehensive resources throughout August.