Falcons vs. Washington 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch NFL preseason online

Washington will travel to the Georgia Dome to face off against the Falcons Thursday night, when the preseason officially begins. If you’re unable to be there in person, the NFL is making all preseason games available for streaming via NFL GamePass.

This game features the season’s first look at two quarterbacks who made headlines last season for very different reasons.

Kirk Cousins had a stellar season that solidified his starting job, finishing with 4,166 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. Washington enters the 2016 season hoping to improve upon last year’s 9-7 record. Entering his second season as Washington’s starter and playing under the franchise tag, Cousins has said that he’s pleased with the continuity on offense, and the contest against the Falcons should provide a better idea of the progress the team has made this offseason.

“I do think games are a better indicator of where you are as an offense and as a team,” Cousins said via the Washington Post. “Practice is a little challenging to discern where you are, but I do think mistakes that are being made are not as critical and serious as they have been in past years.”

Ryan, on the other hand, is hoping his performance this season will overshadow last year’s shaky transition to Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Ryan’s turnovers — 16 interceptions and 12 fumbles — were a problem the team cannot afford to repeat this season.

Atlanta’s offensive timing hasn’t looked terribly consistent throughout training camp, and facing off against an actual opponent on Thursday should be a good gauge for the progress that unit has made this offseason.

Washington will be missing several players on Thursday. Head coach Jay Gruden announced Monday that wide receiver Reggie Diggs, wide receiver Jamison Crowder and tight end Derek Carrier will all be held out of the game against the Falcons.

Fans will have to wait a little while longer to get a look at Washington’s first-round draft pick, receiver Josh Doctson, who will also sit out. Left tackle Trent Williams is unlikely to play as he continues to bounce back from a sore knee.

The Falcons are also dealing with a few injuries, including a trunk injury that may sideline first-round safety Keanu Neal. Tight end Levine Toilolo has a hand injury that will require a second opinion, according to head coach Dan Quinn, and running back Terron Ward is dealing with an ankle injury.

The last time these teams faced each other was in Week 5 last season. It was the last of Atlanta’s five-game winning streak to start the year. The Falcons walked away with a narrow 25-19 victory in overtime after a Robert Alford pick-six.

When: 7 p.m. ET

Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta

TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic (DC), WUPA, CW-69 (Atlanta)

Announcers: Chick Hernandez, Joe Theismann (Washington); Randy Waters, Coy Wire (Falcons)

Streaming: NFL GamePass