The full television schedule has been announced for the 2012 NFL preseason schedule and the two teams that lead it out are the only ones to earn a second showing. The Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints kick off the season on August 5 in the Hall of Fame game to celebrate the incoming Hall of Fame class of 2012.
The appearance not only kicks off the first real game action of 2012, but it also gives the Cards and Saints another appearance over everyone else, since both teams are also featured later in the preseason. The Cardinals are also on ESPN on August 23 against the Titans, while the Saints are featured two days later against the Texans on the 25th.
The Chiefs have no televised games, nor do the Raiders. Only the Chargers and Broncos are featured out of the AFC West with one game apiece.
| 2012 NFL preseason national television schedule | ||
| Date | Matchup | TV (time) |
|---|---|---|
| Hall of Fame Game | ||
| Sunday, Aug. 5 | Arizona vs. New Orleans in Canton, Ohio | NFL Network (8 p.m. ET) |
| Week 1 (Aug. 9-13) | ||
| Thursday, Aug. 9 | Green Bay at San Diego | ESPN (8 p.m. ET) |
| Monday, Aug. 13 | Dallas at Oakland | ESPN (8 p.m. ET) |
| Week 2 (Aug. 16-20) | ||
| Thursday, Aug. 16 | Cincinnati at Atlanta | FOX (8 p.m. ET) |
| Friday, Aug. 17 | Detroit at Baltimore | FOX (8 p.m. ET) |
| Sunday, Aug. 19 | Indianapolis at Pittsburgh | NBC (8 p.m. ET) |
| Monday, Aug. 20 | Philadelphia at New England | ESPN (8 p.m. ET) |
| Week 3 (Aug. 23-26) | ||
| Thursday, Aug. 23 | Arizona at Tennessee | ESPN (8 p.m. ET) |
| Friday, Aug. 24 | Chicago at N.Y. Giants | CBS (8 p.m. ET) |
| Saturday, Aug. 25 | Houston at New Orleans | CBS (8 p.m. ET) |
| Sunday, Aug. 26 | San Francisco at Denver | FOX (4 p.m. ET) |
| Sunday, Aug. 26 | Carolina at N.Y. Jets | NBC (8 p.m. ET) |