Ranking the 5 best NFL preseason games for 2016

Jan 23, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of NFL shield logo at midfield of University of Phoenix Stadium in advance of Super Bowl XLIX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of NFL shield logo at midfield of University of Phoenix Stadium in advance of Super Bowl XLIX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; The exterior of NRG Stadium is seen before an AFC Wild Card playoff football game between the Kansa City Chiefs and the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; The exterior of NRG Stadium is seen before an AFC Wild Card playoff football game between the Kansa City Chiefs and the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 – Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans (August 28th on FOX)

When it comes to the on-field part of the game, this is probably the best one of the entire schedule (you’ll see why it isn’t No. 1 in a moment). With it being the third week of the schedule, you’ll see the starters for both teams most of the game in what may be a Super Bowl LI preview.

Last season, the Cardinals were one of the final four teams left in the playoffs before running into a buzzsaw called the Carolina Panthers. So far this season, Arizona hasn’t been drastically hit hard by free agency and actually made some trades to improve their defense.

The Texans, meanwhile, went out and opened their wallets in a big way for their backfield by signing quarterback Brock Osweiler from the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos and running back Lamar Miller from the Miami Dolphins.

If both teams live up to their potential after winning their divisions during the 2015 season, the Texans will be the first team to play in their home stadium for a Super Bowl…and the Cardinals will be familiar with the stadium they are playing in come Super Sunday.

Next: 1. Cowboys-Rams