The 2011 NFL preseason schedule has been released and, if we can get this lockout out of the way, things will start with the Chicago Bears vs. St. Louis Rams in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio on Sunday, Aug. 7. The second game will be another nationally televised contest with the Kansas City Chiefs facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday, Aug. 12.
Other notable games include the Philadelphia Eagles visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, Aug. 18 and the Bears visiting the New York Giants on Monday, Aug. 22.
There will be 11 nationally televised preseason games, according to the NFL's release, the final one being the New Orleans Saints vs. Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Aug. 28.
Here's the full list of nationally televised games:
| 2011 NFL preseason national television schedule | ||
| Date | Matchup | TV (time) |
|---|---|---|
| Hall of Fame Game | ||
| Sunday, Aug. 7 | Chicago vs. St. Louis, at Canton, Ohio | NBC (8 p.m. ET) |
| Week 1 (Aug. 11-15) | ||
| Thursday, Aug. 11 | Seattle at San Diego | ESPN (8 p.m. ET) |
| Friday, Aug. 12 | Tampa Bay at Kansas City | FOX (8 p.m. ET) |
| Monday, Aug. 15 | N.Y. Jets at Houston | ESPN (8 p.m. ET) |
| Week 2 (Aug. 18-22) | ||
| Thursday, Aug. 18 | Philadelphia at Pittsburgh | FOX (8 p.m. ET) |
| Friday, Aug. 19 | Atlanta at Jacksonville | FOX (8 p.m. ET) |
| Monday, Aug. 22 | Chicago at N.Y. Giants | ESPN (8 p.m. ET) |
| Week 3 (Aug. 25-28) | ||
| Thursday, Aug. 25 | Washington at Baltimore | ESPN (8 p.m. ET) |
| Friday, Aug. 26 | Green Bay at Indianapolis | CBS (8 p.m. ET) |
| Saturday, Aug. 27 | New England at Detroit | CBS (8 p.m. ET) |
| Sunday, Aug. 28 | New Orleans at Oakland | NBC (8 p.m. ET) |