It’s preseason but it’ll have the look of the playoffs. The NFL’s slate of 11 nationally televised preseason games will feature all 12 2008 playoff teams, one of the highlights of the 2009 NFL preseason schedule announced today. Among those games is a rematch of Super Bowl XLIII with the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, August 13 (ESPN, 8:00 PM ET).
The contest will take place six months after Pittsburgh defeated Arizona 27-23 at Raymond James Stadium in one of the most exciting Super Bowls of all time. One of the themes of the 2009 season will be the celebration of the 50th anniversary season of the American Football League. Two franchises that began playing in the inaugural 1960 AFL season – the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans (Houston Oilers) – will kick off the preseason in Canton, Ohio, site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. On Sunday night, August 9 (NBC, 8:00 PM ET), the Bills will take on the Titans in the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. That weekend will include the induction of the Buffalo Bills founder and owner RALPH WILSON into the Hall of Fame. Following is the complete 2009 NFL preseason national TV schedule:
2009 NFL PRESEASON NATIONAL TELEVISION SCHEDULE
Sunday, August 9 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, Canton, OH:
Buffalo vs. Tennessee
NBC (8:00 PM)
Preseason Week 1 (August 13-17)
Thursday, August 13 Arizona at Pittsburgh ESPN (8:00 PM)
Monday, August 17 Carolina at New York Giants ESPN (8:00 PM)
Preseason Week 2 (August 20-24)
Thursday, August 20 Philadelphia at Indianapolis FOX (8:00 PM)
Friday, August 21 Tennessee at Dallas FOX (8:00 PM)
Monday, August 24 New York Jets at Baltimore ESPN (8:00 PM)
Preseason Week 3 (August 27-31)
Thursday, August 27 Miami at Tampa Bay FOX (8:00 PM)
Friday, August 28 New England at Washington CBS (8:00 PM)
Saturday, August 29 San Diego at Atlanta CBS (8:00 PM)
Sunday, August 30 Chicago at Denver NBC (8:00 PM)
Monday, August 31 Minnesota at Houston ESPN (8:00 PM)
