NFL Preseason Schedule 2017: Week 1 TV Channels, Start Times, Betting Odds

Football officially returned on Aug. 3 with the Hall of Fame Game, but the 2017 NFL preseason finally kicks off for every team this week. Week 1 features a full slate of 16 games with contests set for every day between Wednesday and Sunday.

Seven of the 16 Week 1 games are scheduled to be broadcast on national TV, though local TV channels will also carry the preseason action. Sportsbooks have set betting odds for the contests, even though meaningful football is still a month away.

READ: Will The Dallas Cowboys Make The Playoffs?

Most betting lines are no more than three points since the games are unpredictable and the starters will barely see the field in Week 1. A few games, however, have been given notable odds.

The New England Patriots are the biggest favorites on the schedule, giving five points to the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, who won 11 fewer games than the defending Super Bowl champions in 2016. The San Francisco 49ers won 10 fewer games than the Kansas City Chiefs a year ago, and they are 4.5-point underdogs in Friday night’s matchup.

The New York Jets are the only home team that is an underdog in Week 1 of the preseason. They are expected by many to be the NFL’s worst team in 2017. New York plays their first exhibition game against the Tennessee Titans, who have a good chance to make the playoffs.

No betting line is available for two of the Saturday night games at the moment. The Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals are the only two teams that will be playing their second preseason game this week.

Below is the complete Week 1 preseason schedule, including TV Channels and start times. Betting odds are provided by OddsShark.

Wednesday, Aug. 9

Houston Texans (+3, 36) at Carolina Panthers, 7:30 p.m. EDT, NFL Network

Thursday, Aug. 10

Atlanta Falcons (Pick, 36.5) at Miami Dolphins, 7 p.m. EDT, CW69 (Atlanta)/CBS4 (Miami)

Minnesota Vikings (PK, 37) at Buffalo Bills, 7 p.m. EDT, FOX9 (Minnesota)/WKBW (Buffalo)

Washington Redskins (+1, 37.5) at Baltimore Ravens, 7:30 p.m. EDT, NBC4 (Washington)/WBAL (Baltimore)

Jacksonville Jaguars (+5, 40.5) at New England Patriots, 7:30 p.m. EDT, CBS (Jacksonville)/WBZ (New England)

New Orleans Saints (PK, 38.5) at Cleveland Browns, 8 p.m. EDT, FOX8 (New Orleans)/WEWS (Cleveland)

Philadelphia Eagles (+2, 39.5) at Green Bay Packers, 8 p.m. EDT, NBC10 (Philadelphia)/Packers TV Network (Green Bay)

Denver Broncos (PK, 36) at Chicago Bears, 8 p.m. EDT, NFL Network

Friday, Aug. 11

Pittsburgh Steelers (+3, 38) at New York Giants, 7 p.m. EDT, NFL Network

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2, 37.5) at Cincinnati Bengals, 7:30 p.m. EDT, WFLA (Tampa Bay)/CBS12 (Cincinnati)

San Francisco 49ers (+4.5, 37.5) at Kansas City Chiefs, 9 p.m. EDT, NFL Network

Saturday. Aug. 12

Tennessee Titans (-2.5, 37) at New York Jets, 7:30 p.m. EDT, WKRN2 (Tennessee)/CBS2 (New York)

Dallas Cowboys (N/A) at Los Angeles Rams, 9 p.m. EDT, NFL Network

Oakland Raiders (N/A) at Arizona Cardinals, 10 p.m. EDT, FOX2 (Oakland), NBC12 (Arizona)

READ: NFL MVP 2017 Betting Odds

Sunday, Aug. 13

Detroit Lions (PK, 37.5) at Indianapolis Colts, 1:30 p.m. EDT, NFL Network

Seattle Seahawks (+1.5, 37.5) at Los Angeles Chargers, 8 p.m. EDT, NFL Network