Highlighting NFL Preseason Matchups Worth Watching

The National Football League released the 2012 preseason schedule on Wednesday. On Sunday, August 5th, the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals will kick off a month of games that don't count when they meet in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.

Just because the games don't count doesn't mean they're not worth watching, however.

Here's a look at a handful of preseason contests that contain storylines that merit the attention of football fanatics everywhere.

Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears (TBA)

The first week of preseason games is highlighted by a tilt between the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears that features some prominent faces in new places. Quarterback Peyton Manning and wide receiver Brandon Marshall take the field for their new teams for the first time, even if it's only for a few series.

New York Giants at New York Jets (TBA)

The preseason's second week is headlined by a Big Apple Showdown, as quarterback Eli Manning and the world champion New York Giants "travel" to square off against the Jets in a game that should feature plenty of Gang Green's newest signal-caller in Tim Tebow.

Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints (August 25)

The third week of the preseason generally features the most extensive action by the starters, and this season's slate of games for that week features a prime-time matchup between two playoff teams from last year. Matt Schaub, Arian Foster and the Houston Texans will travel to the Superdome to square off against Drew Brees and the scandal-plagued New Orleans Saints.

San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos (August 26)

Two future Hall of Fame players will face off in a nationally televised preseason contest on August 26th. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will likely see significant playing time when their new teams meet at Invesco Field at Mile High.

Indianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins (TBA)

The third week of the 2012 preseason features plenty of storylines, but the most intriguing of them all may be taking place in the nation's capital.

Quarterbacks Andrew Luck of Stanford and Baylor's Robert Griffin III are the presumptive favorites to be the first two selections in April's NFL draft, and the stage has been set for the two most talked-about rookies to match up when the Indianapolis Colts do battle with the Washington Redskins.