The NFL has announced the 2011 preseason schedule. If, of course, there even is a preseason.
The preseason begins on August 7, with the Bears and the Rams meeting in Canton for the Hall of Fame game. Which will be televised by NBC. If it’s played.
The first full week of the preseason includes two games on ESPN: Seahawks at Chargers (Thursday August 11) and Jets at Texans (Monday August 15). The Bucs play at the Chiefs on August 12, on FOX.
The next week, the Eagles play at Pittsburgh on August 18 in a game to be televised by FOX. The next night, FOX televises the Falcons at the Jaguars. ESPN has the Monday nighter, Bears at Giants, on August 22.
Week Three has four preseason games on national TV: Redskins at Ravens (ESPN, August 25); Packers at Colts (CBS, August 26), Patriots at Lions (CBS, August 27), and Saints at Raiders (NBC, August 28).
Week Four of the preseason will have no nationally televised games, since Week Four of the preseason usually is boring.