NFL Preseason Schedule 2012: Best Nationally Televised Week 2 Games to Watch

The NFL preseason reaches its midway point this weekend, with more than a handful of games being televised nationally. This will be a great way for fans and analysts to get their first in-depth look at a lot of teams they may not otherwise be able to see prior to the regular season. 

Of course, trying to apply meaning to anything that happens in preseason is going to get you in a lot of trouble. You want to see individual players have success, but taking team success from preseason into the season is not going to translate. 

Nonetheless, here are the biggest matchups that you should be paying close attention to from Week 2 of the NFL preseason schedule.

(Note: The full list of nationally televised preseason Week 2 games can be found by clicking here.)

Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens, Friday, August 17 at 8 p.m. ET (Fox)

The Lions are in an interesting spot this preseason. Everyone knows about the weapons they have on offense, with Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, but the defense has to take a step forward in order for this team to compete for a championship. 

The Ravens are so clearly built to win now that they just have to make it through the preseason unscathed. I don't know how much longer they will be able to compete at a high level, because a lot of their key players on defense are on the wrong side of 30. 

I don't expect to see much from the Ravens in this game, but pay attention to the way the Lions react on defense. Are they getting to the ball quickly? Are they making tackles in the open field? These are little things that will go a long way when the season starts. 

New York Giants at New York Jets, Saturday, August 18 at 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

It is amazing that the New York Giants can come into a season as the defending Super Bowl champions yet be the second-most talked about team in their own town. 

A lot of that is by design, because the Giants like to play things close to the chest, and the Jets are going to seek out a microphone to say anything that might get them media coverage. 

Add to the fact that Tim Tebow is making plays with the offense in the Wildcat formation, and you have a matchup that will have more drama than most regular-season games. 

Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, August 19 at 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Everyone loved what Andrew Luck was able to do against St. Louis in his first preseason game, but it is important to keep the expectations for the season in check. 

A matchup against Pittsburgh will be a good test for Luck. The Steelers defense is obviously the calling card for this team. Plus, they have really good depth on that side of the ball, so Luck will be tested even when the starters get taken out. 

To me, this game will be a much better gauge of where Luck is in his development. We won't know everything, but we will find out more, as Pittsburgh is a better team than St. Louis. 

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