2024 NFL Preseason, Week 1: One thing to watch for on each of the 32 teams

Preseason football is back.

Last week’s Hall of Fame Game got things started, but we’ll hit full swing on Thursday night, kicking off 16 games over four days. Seven of those contests will be broadcast live on NFL Network, including the Cowboys-Rams bout on Sunday (4:30 p.m. ET) to wrap up the week.

Many starters will sit, but some are fighting for jobs. Also, several exciting rookies will make their professional debuts.

Here’s a full preview, offering you one thing to watch for on each of the 32 teams in Week 1 of the NFL preseason.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

Atlanta Falcons

My editors might hate it, but I am tempted to write “watch Michael Penix Jr.” for each Falcons preseason entry. Look, if we’re not going to see the guy all season, which sounds like the plan if Kirk Cousins is healthy, then why wouldn’t I want to watch arguably the most controversial pick of the 2024 NFL Draft?

Houston Texans

Not many veterans of note played in last week’s game against the Bears, but there are still a lot of roles to be sorted out on defense.

Philadelphia Eagles

Don’t look now, but former Jets OL Mekhi Becton might be making a push for the Eagles’ starting right guard job.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

Washington Commanders

Watching Daniels at work will be a big reason to tune in, but who he lines up with and for how long also will be telling.

Chicago Bears

This one’s easy. Caleb Williams sat out the Bears’ victory in the Hall Of Fame Game last week, but it seems like there’s a decent chance we’ll see Williams make his debut in Buffalo

Las Vegas Raiders

No need to reach here. This one is all about the quarterbacks. There will be ample time to shine a spotlight on young standout performers such as Dylan Laube and DJ Glaze, but for now, the focus is squarely on the competition between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell.

Green Bay Packers

Special teams have been an area of contention for, ahem, some time now in Green Bay.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Two positions stand out to me, for opposite reasons. On the positive side, wide receiver looks like a loaded group, top to bottom.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11

Denver Broncos

The clear and obvious choice here is Bo Nix.

Dallas Cowboys

I’d like to see a running back step up, preferably one of the younger options.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Carolina Panthers

There are a lot of things I’ll be curious about in Dave Canales’ head-coaching debut, but I have to be honest about where my mind is at. Look, I try to shield you, dear readers, of any potential biases I might have, but I implore you to invest time watching Harrison Mevis via my alma mater, Mizzou.

Detroit Lions

The Lions’ first-team offense has no obvious weaknesses, and we’ll have plenty of time to see how the first-team defense looks over the course of the preseason. But I really am curious to see how the reserves look, starting with QB Henden Hooker.