What NFL games are today? Schedule, time, how to watch Thursday's action

There is no set way to handle the final game of the NFL preseason. Some teams play their starters for a time like it's a dress rehearsal for the regular season, which begins on Sep. 5. Some teams sit their starters, not wanting to risk an injury so close to when the results actually count.

Keep that in mind digesting Week 3 of this NFL preseason, beginning Thursday night with two nationally televised games. This is often more about the players at the end of the roster fighting for a job than the players that will be stars.

The schedule Thursday features the Indianapolis Colts visiting the Cincinnati Bengals and the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Chicago Bears. Except only one of those teams may use its starters in the preseason finale.

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson didn't play at all in the team's second preseason game, but GM Chris Ballard said last week he anticipated Richardson could play at least the first half in Thursday's matchup in Cincinnati. The No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL draft is coming off a rookie season in which he started just four games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. The Colts and Bengals are also holding a joint practice Tuesday ahead of their game, and Bengals coach Zac Taylor has indicated he won't play his starters two days later.

Optimism abounds in Chicago with the arrival of No. 1 pick Caleb Williams at quarterback and wide receiver Rome Odunze, drafted No. 9 overall, that perhaps they can eventually form a combination that rivals what Patrick Mahomes once had with Tyreek Hill (and still has with tight end Travis Kelce). But there won't be any on-the-field comparisons Thursday night. Both the Chiefs and Bears aren't planning to use their starters in the preseason finale.

Here's the full Week 3 NFL preseason schedule for Thursday, August 22 and how to watch and stream the action:

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How to watch and stream Thursday's NFL preseason games

Both NFL preseason games scheduled Thursday night will be broadcast nationally. Amazon Prime will stream the Colts-Bengals game as part of its weekly Thursday night football package. The Bears-Chiefs preseason game will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network. Bears-Chiefs will also be broadcast locally on FOX32 in the Chicago area and 38 The Spot KMCI around Kansas City. For Bengals-Colts, the game will be shown locally on FOX59 in the Indianapolis area and FOX 19 in the Cincinnati area.

You can also stream both games via NFL+ or through Fubo if you're located outside of market.

HOW TO WATCH: Catch preseason NFL action with a Fubo subscription

NFL Preseason Schedule Week 3

Thursday, August 22

Friday, August 23

Saturday, August 24

Sunday, August 25

NFL Week 2 Preseason Results

Thursday, August 15

• Eagles 14, Patriots 13

Saturday, August 17

• Ravens 13, Falcons 12

• Bears 27, Bengals 3

• Texans 28, Giants 10

• Lions 24, Chiefs 23

• Vikings 27, Browns 12

• Jets 15, Panthers 12

• Colts 21, Cardinals 13

• Dolphins 13, Commanders 6

• Bills 9, Steelers 3

• Titans 16, Seahawks 15

• Rams 13, Chargers 9

• Jaguars 20, Buccanneers 7

• Cowboys 27, Raiders 12

Sunday, August 18

• Broncos 27, Packers 2

• 49ers 16, Saints 10

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL games today: TV, time and streaming for Thursday football