NFL Preseason Week 2 kicks off tonight with a doubleheader featuring evaluation battles, rookie opportunities, and limited starter action.
As of early Thursday morning on August 20, 2026, football fans can look forward to two primetime exhibition games later this evening. Preseason Week 2 runs through Sunday and gives teams a critical window to assess depth charts, refine schemes, and give key backups meaningful snaps ahead of the regular season. Results don’t count in the standings, but performances can influence roster cuts and roles.
Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans
8:00 p.m. ET | ESPN | NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
The Raiders (coming off a 27-14 preseason Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals) visit the Texans (who fell 27-7 to the Los Angeles Chargers). Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, with the broadcast team expected to include Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.
Key storylines center on quarterback development and defensive improvement for Las Vegas. First-year head coach Klint Kubiak has been noncommittal about how much veteran starter Kirk Cousins will play, but No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza is expected to see significant reps after a solid-if-uneven debut (10-of-16 for 97 yards and a touchdown against Arizona). Mendoza has drawn positive notes in joint practices with Houston this week.
The Raiders’ defense struggled against the run and in coverage last week and needs a bounce-back under new coordinator Rob Leonard. On the Houston side, coach DeMeco Ryans has shifted plans: most starters are expected to rest after a productive joint practice and the season-ending ACL injury to wide receiver Jayden Higgins. Backup quarterbacks and depth players will handle the bulk of the snaps for the Texans, who finished 12-5 and reached the playoffs in 2025.
Betting lines have hovered around even money or a slight Texans edge (spread roughly Texans -1 to -1.5 or Raiders -1.5 depending on the book), with a low total in the 37.5–40.5 range typical of preseason games heavy on backups.
What to watch: Mendoza’s decision-making against Houston’s talented (if mostly resting) defensive front; Raiders secondary and run defense progress; any standout performances from Las Vegas skill-position depth.
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers
10:00 p.m. ET | NFL Network | SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
The late game pits two California teams that both held joint practices this week. The 49ers lost their opener 19-13 to the Tennessee Titans; the Chargers dominated Houston 27-7.
Both coaching staffs plan to give starters limited work—likely a series or so—after resting them in Week 1. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan indicated a number of starters will play, with a good chance franchise quarterback Brock Purdy sees action (though key pieces like Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle face availability questions due to tightness or other issues). Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has described the starters’ participation as a “dress rehearsal” limited to one series, while noting injuries such as center Tyler Biadasz (knee from joint practice) and the ongoing absence of left tackle Rashawn Slater.
Odds have generally listed the 49ers as slight favorites (around -1.5), with another low total near 37.5–39. Depth and backup play will decide most of the night after the early series.
What to watch: Purdy and any first-team chemistry for San Francisco; Chargers’ offensive line continuity without full strength; how both defenses hold up against familiar opponents from joint practices; emerging depth players who could impact the 53-man roster decisions.
How to Watch and Stream
- Raiders-Texans: ESPN (and ESPN app/ESPN Unlimited in many markets). Local team broadcasts and radio options are also available. Out-of-market streaming via NFL+ (subject to restrictions).
- 49ers-Chargers: NFL Network. Local affiliates in the Bay Area and Southern California, plus streaming options including NFL+.
International viewers can often access games via NFL Game Pass on DAZN or regional partners.
Broader Context for Preseason Week 2
These two games open a busy four-day stretch with 16 total contests involving all 32 teams. Coaches typically use Week 2 for the most meaningful starter evaluation before resting them more heavily in the final preseason week. Rookies like Mendoza continue to get national exposure, while veterans fight for spots and schemes get fine-tuned under game conditions.
Low scoring is common in these exhibitions as play-calling stays conservative and substitutions are frequent. Injuries remain a constant concern—teams are especially cautious this close to the regular season.
Football is back in earnest. Tonight’s slate offers an early look at two intriguing AFC and NFC matchups that should provide useful film and roster clarity heading into the final stretch of the preseason.