Browns QB Battle LIVE: Shedeur Sanders Hunts Deshaun Watson’s Spot
NFL Preseason Week 1: Saturday Game Preview & Full Schedule
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What’s Happening Today?
Saturday wraps up Week 1 of the NFL preseason with seven exciting games! The action kicks off at 1:00 PM ET and doesn’t finish until around 11:00 PM ET. Think of preseason games like practice matches where teams test new players, try out strategies, and get ready for the real season starting in September.
Saturday’s Must-Watch Games
1. Cleveland Browns @ Chicago Bears (1:00 PM ET)
The Quarterback Battle Everyone’s Talking About
| Player | Role | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Deshaun Watson | Starting QB | The highly paid veteran trying to reclaim his spot |
| Shedeur Sanders | Backup QB | Rookie sensation (son of Deion Sanders!) fighting for the starting job |
Key Storyline: Watson starts today, but Sanders gets his chance next week against the Buffalo Bills. Coach Todd Monken has a tough decision to make!
2. Los Angeles Rams @ Kansas City Chiefs (4:00 PM ET)
Super Bowl Favorites vs. Defending Champs’ First Game Since Disappointing Season
| Team | Key Notes |
|---|---|
| Rams | Preseason favorites to win Super Bowl LXI after trading for All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett |
| Chiefs | First game since surprising 6-11 season last year |
Quarterback Situation:
- Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs superstar) — NOT playing (resting)
- Justin Fields — Making his Chiefs debut after being traded
- Stetson Bennett — Starting for Rams
- Ty Simpson — Rams’ first-round rookie backing up Bennett
3. Other Saturday Games (Quick Reference)
| Time (ET) | Matchup |
|---|---|
| 1:00 PM | Carolina Panthers @ Buffalo Bills |
| 1:00 PM | Minnesota Vikings @ New York Giants |
| 4:00 PM | Jacksonville Jaguars @ New Orleans Saints |
| 7:00 PM | Philadelphia Eagles @ Baltimore Ravens |
| 8:00 PM | Dallas Cowboys @ Seattle Seahawks |
Complete Preseason Week 1 Results So Far
Thursday’s Games
- Cincinnati Bengals 16 — Detroit Lions 14
- Pittsburgh Steelers 28 — Green Bay Packers 9
- Indianapolis Colts 13 — New England Patriots 13 (Tie!)
- Los Angeles Chargers 27 — Houston Texans 7
- Arizona Cardinals 27 — Las Vegas Raiders 14
- Tennessee Titans 19 — San Francisco 49ers 13
Friday’s Games
- Washington Commanders 20 — Miami Dolphins 7
- Denver Broncos 27 — Atlanta Falcons 7
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24 — New York Jets 16
What to Watch For Today
Your Preseason Watch Checklist
- Rookie Performances — First-round picks making their NFL debuts
- Quarterback Battles — Multiple teams deciding who starts Week 1
- Injury Updates — Hopefully none, but important to track
- New Players in New Uniforms — Trades and free agent signings on display
- Special Teams Standouts — Often where roster spots are won
Summary
Saturday is your last chance to catch Week 1 preseason action! With seven games spanning 10 hours, there’s football all day long. The biggest storylines:
- Browns QB competition: Watson vs. Sanders (Deion’s son!)
- Chiefs bounce-back: First look since 6-11 season, Fields debut
- Rams Super Bowl hype: Garrett trade makes them preseason favorites
- Rookie watch: First-rounders like Ty Simpson getting reps
Remember: Preseason scores don’t count, but player evaluations do. What you see today shapes Week 1 rosters!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do preseason games count toward a team’s regular season record?
A: No! Preseason games are exhibition matches. They’re like scrimmages — teams use them to evaluate players, test playbooks, and get in game shape. The wins/losses don’t affect playoff standings.
Q: Why don’t star players like Patrick Mahomes play in preseason?
A: Teams protect their most valuable players from injury risk in games that don’t count. Mahomes has nothing to prove — the Chiefs know what he can do. They’d rather keep him healthy for the real season.
Q: What’s the difference between the preseason and regular season?
A:
- Preseason: 3 games per team, extended rosters (90 players), lots of substitutions, no standings impact
- Regular Season: 17 games per team, 53-man rosters, starters play most snaps, every game counts for playoffs
Q: Who is Shedeur Sanders and why is he getting attention?
A: He’s a rookie quarterback drafted by the Browns, and he’s Deion Sanders’ son (Deion is a Hall of Fame cornerback and current Colorado coach). Shedeur was a star in college and the Browns are giving him a real shot to compete for the starting job.
Q: When does the actual NFL regular season start?
A: The 2025 NFL regular season kicks off in early September (typically the Thursday after Labor Day). Preseason is just the appetizer — the main course starts then!
Stay Tuned: We’ll be updating throughout the day with highlights, injury reports, standout performances, and roster implications as Saturday’s games unfold!