NFL preseason 2016 schedule: Pro football’s return to LA highlights Saturday’s action

Week 1 of the NFL preseason continues Saturday with four games for your viewing pleasure. The action starts in the afternoon when the Seahawks take on the Chiefs in Kansas City on NFL Network. The real headliner is later in the evening when the Rams play in Los Angeles for the first time in 20 years. They’ll host the Dallas Cowboys in a primetime matchup on ESPN.

Full local listings for each of the games are available at 506 Sports.

There are a few interesting position battles and storylines to follow for each of these games, but it’s still preseason. We’ve assigned a watchability rating to each of the games to make it easier for you to navigate your preseason viewing on Saturday.

Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs
4:30 p.m. ET
National broadcast: NFL Network

This matchup between two teams that made the playoffs last season is, on paper, one of the more compelling games of the first week of the preseason. Chiefs coach Andy Reid has said that his starters, including Alex Smith, will play the entire first quarter, and newly acquired quarterback Nick Foles will take over in the second quarter.

Jamaal Charles, Justin Houston and Tamba Hali all remain on the PUP list for the Chiefs and will not play Saturday. Tight end Jimmy Graham has returned to practice, but he’s one of 11 Seahawks who won’t suit up against the Chiefs. One area to watch for Seattle is its running game. Now that Marshawn Lynch is retired, the Seahawks are looking for consistency on the ground.

Watchability: 7/10 -- These two teams should contend for playoff bids again this season, and who doesn’t want to see Nick Foles take the field?

Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
7 p.m. ET
Indianapolis: WXIN FOX 59
Buffalo: WKBW ABC 7

The Colts will finally take the field for preseason action a full week after everyone expected them to after the Hall of Fame Game was canceled due to unsafe field conditions. Chuck Pagano didn’t say how long his starters will play, but we should see Andrew Luck and the rest of Indy’s starters on the field for at least a few series.

The Bills are in the midst of a battle for the return specialist role, and veteran running back Reggie Bush seems to have an edge. Rookie cornerback Kevon Seymour has been getting opportunities in practice, though, and may have a shot. Another position to watch for Buffalo is middle linebacker, where the team is without rookie Reggie Ragland, who will miss the season after tearing his ACL. Zach Brown is trying to earn that starting role.

Watchability: 5/10 -- Limited playing time for starters plus a kick and punt returning battle don’t exactly make for riveting preseason action.

Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams
8 p.m. ET
National broadcast: ESPN

The starters may take the field briefly for the Cowboys, or Dallas may choose to sit them for the entire game, but the backup quarterback battle will be a focus this offseason. Dak Prescott and Jameill Showers will both get ample playing time. On the other hand, the Cowboys will be cautious with first-round running back Ezekiel Elliott. The rookie tweaked his hamstring this week and will likely sit out.

The Rams had to expand seating for this preseason matchup at the Los Angeles Coliseum, and much of the intrigue centers around the quarterback position. It will be the first opportunity for No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff to see NFL action, but he will do so behind Case Keenum, who was named the starter for Saturday’s game.

Watchability: 8/10 -- With Tony Romo’s injury history, it’s very possible either Prescott or Showers will end up having to start a few games, so getting a look at them in preseason is pretty important. But mostly, this game is about the spectacle of football returning to LA.

San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans
8 p.m. ET
San Diego: KFMB CBS 8, Tennessee: WKRN ABC 2

We know for certain that San Diego’s first-round pick, Joey Bosa, won’t be taking the field against the Titans on Saturday as he continues his contract holdout. On the field, the backup quarterback position is one to watch, with Zach Mettenberger, Kellen Clemens and Mike Bercovici all competing for the role.

Mettenberger and San Diego’s offensive coordinator make a return to Tennessee to face their former team, one that the QB himself referred to as “awkward.” For the Titans, one of the key storylines is how the wide receiver depth chart begins to take shape. Rishard Matthews, Kendall Wright, Tajae Sharp, Dorial Green-Beckham and Andre Johnson are all battling for targets.

Watchability: 3/10 -- The most intriguing aspect is the possibility of awkward postgame handshakes between Mettenberger and his former team.