NFL preseason 2023 TV schedule: Full list of national TV games

Preseason football is a funny thing.

After months of no NFL action, fans will gladly set their reminders for the first exhibition games of their favorite teams. And the diehards won't mind tuning into whatever preseason game they can regardless of the squads playing.

For most of us in the latter category, that'll be the Pro Football Hall of Fame game that precedes the three weeks of actual preseason football, which in turn precedes the 18-week regular season that actually matters.

Speaking of mattering, preseason football doesn't count for anything in terms of standings. Or even bragging rights. Aside from some modest entertainment value, first-string players and starters hardly play (if they do at all), and the majority of players on the field will be out of a job within a matter of weeks following roster cuts.

And yet fans will still watch.

NFL preseason schedule: Nationally televised games in 2023

Like the regular season, the preseason offers a chance for fans across the country to tune into games that'd otherwise be out of the region.

Not quite "prime time," these exhibition bouts are nevertheless going to be broadcast nationally for the 2023 NFL preseason:

• Hall of Fame Game: New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns -- Thursday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
• Preseason Week 2: Baltimore Ravens @ Washington Commanders -- Monday, Aug. 21 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Preseason Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles -- Thursday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime)
• Preseason Week 3: Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers -- Friday, Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. ET (CBS)
• Preseason Week 3: Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints -- Sunday, Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. ET (Fox)

NFL Network will also broadcast a large number of preseason games, too. And local markets typically carry their teams' television broadcasts as well.

Check your service and/or streaming providers for more details.

What preseason games do the 49ers play in 2023?

The San Francisco 49ers do not play in the annual Hall of Fame game this season, meaning they'll play in the usual three preseason games prior to Week 1:

• Preseason Week 1: San Francisco 49ers @ Las Vegas Raiders -- Sunday, Aug. 13 at 4 p.m. ET
• Preseason Week 2: Denver Broncos @ San Francisco 49ers -- Saturday, Aug. 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET
• Preseason Week 3: Los Angeles Chargers @ San Francisco 49ers -- Friday, Aug. 25 at 10 p.m. ET

Read more: 49ers 2023 schedule is out, and we predicted every game right here

None of the Niners' preseason games are nationally televised, but fans of the red and gold can check out how they can tune into San Francisco's exhibition matchups right here.

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