As the NFL lockout enters its second month, the release of the league's preseason schedule Tuesday provided some semblance of business-as-usual (albeit delayed a few weeks from the typical timing) as well as a glimpse at some of the teams league officials expect to be good during the coming season -- if and when the season kicks off.
At best, the schedule provides a look at storylines and teams the NFL hopes to put in prominent positions.
At worst, it's defined schedule of programming network partners must replace if the labor deal drags on and forces the cancellation of games.
Here's a look at the nationally televised games:
Aug. 7 -- Chicago Bears vs. St. Louis Rams (8 p.m., NBC), Hall of Fame Game
Aug. 11 -- Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers (8 p.m., ESPN)
Aug. 12 -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs (8 p.m., Fox)
Aug. 15 -- New York Jets at Houston Texans (8 p.m., ESPN)
Aug. 18 -- Philadelphia Eagles at Pittsburgh Steelers (8 p.m., Fox)
Aug. 19 -- Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars (8 p.m., Fox)
Aug. 22 -- Chicago Bears at New York Giants (8 p.m., ESPN)
Aug. 25 -- Washington Redskins at Baltimore Ravens (8 p.m., ESPN)
Aug. 26 -- Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts (8 p.m., CBS)
Aug. 27 -- New England Patriots at Detroit Lions (8 p.m., CBS)
Aug. 28 -- New Orleans Saints at Oakland Raiders (8 p.m., NBC)
Only the Bears get featured twice, so the lineup provides exposure for more than half the teams in the league. And, if the games do happen, ratings for this preseason might be slightly higher than previous years simply because fans/viewers might be glad to tune in after months of labor and legal discussions dominated NFL news.
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