The National Football League wrapped up its preseason on Saturday, August 29, leaving Sunday, August 30, completely empty of official games.
A Quiet Sunday and the Road to the Regular Season
That quiet day marks the final step before teams must trim their rosters from 90 to 53 players by 6 p.m. Eastern time on September 13, a deadline that will result in roughly 1,184 players being released league‑wide.
Key Matchups to Watch
The regular season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9, with a high‑profile showdown between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks airing at 8:20 p.m. Eastern on NBC.
A night later, the San Francisco 49ers travel to face the Los Angeles Rams in a Thursday contest streamed on Netflix at 8:35 p.m. Eastern.
The first full Sunday of the regular season, September 13, will feature 13 games spread across CBS and Fox, giving fans a packed slate of football to start the week.
The preseason finale on August 29 also saw the Chicago Bears take on the Tennessee Titans in the last exhibition match before the roster cuts.
What’s Next for Fans
With the schedule set and roster decisions looming, commentators are already speculating about how new lineups will shape early‑season dynamics.