NFL Preseason Schedule 2012: Can't-Miss Matchups of Week 3

Check out the biggest matchups of the third, and most important, NFL preseason action.

The third week of preseason is the time when teams conduct their final “tune-up” before the regular season. It is typically the time when teams will employ their first-team for the longest stretch.

With that being the case, it’s like the best action you’re going to get to see before the start of the NFL season.

Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans

Where: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn.

When: Thurs., August 23 at 8 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Radio: Sirius XM Radio Channel 88

Both the Cardinals and Titans are in a pickle in their quarterback situation. Neither coaching staff is happy with the alternative, but neither seem like they are ready to commit to young and unproven starting quarterbacks without continuing to evaluate both.

In Tennessee, veteran Matt Hasselbeck is being challenged by second-year man Jake Locker. Locker has looked good in training camp, but has not in his appearances in game-time action to this point. In his first start of the preseason Friday night, Locker posted a 4-of-11 mark for 21 yards. He threw an ugly interception in the process.

On the other side of things, the Arizona Cardinals may be in a worse predicament, if that was even possible. The Cardinals are currently torn between injury-prone Kevin Kolb and third-year man John Skelton. Kolb has looked completely horrid to this point in the preseason and Skelton hasn’t been getting enough repetitions to help swing Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt’s mind.

The teams also feature two of the more disappointing running backs from a season ago. Chris Johnson, regarded as one of the best running backs in the NFL before last season, finished the season with the same amount of yards (1,027) as the oft-injured Cardinals back Beanie Wells. Wells may not play again in this one, but the Cards have second-year man Ryan Williams who poses just as much of a threat in his absence.

Indianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins

Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.

When: Sat., August 25 at 4 p.m. ET

TV: NFL Network

Radio: Sirius XM Radio (Channel UNK)

This is the matchup everyone has been waiting for. The No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks from last April’s NFL draft will go head-to-head in this Week 3 preseason showdown.

As mentioned, the starters, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, will be getting more snaps meaning their talents will be on display for a longer period of time. That will give draftniks, fans and critics ample opportunity to compare these two standout rookie quarterbacks.

Up to this point, both have looked to live up to their draft selections. When the debate was at its strongest as to who was the better option, did you ever think that they’d both come out and light it up in the preseason? The Colts and Redskins have struck gold with their rookie quarterbacks.

Maybe after this one we’ll be able to draw some more distinctions to separate the two.

San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos

Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver

When: Sun., August 26 at 4 p.m. ET

TV: FOX

Radio: Sirius XM Radio Channel 88

Peyton Manning snubbed the San Francisco 49ers during his offseason pursuit of a new home after being let loose from his home in Indianapolis.

This matchup showcases a prolific passer in Manning and the elite defense of the Niners. Manning has been waiting to take his first real hit after having neck surgery and missing the 2011 season. The 49ers will surely be happy to oblige the future Hall of Famer.

San Francisco’s pass-rush and Denver’s ability to contain the play-action of Alex Smith and the balanced Jim Harbaugh pro-style offense will be the keys to this game remaining the low-scoring, grinding contest that it projects to be.

If everything goes right for Manning, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that this could be a preview of this year’s Super Bowl.

Mike Hoag Jr. is a Trends and Traffic writer for Bleacher Report and also covers theCleveland Browns and the NFL for the site. Follow him on Twitter @BigHoagowski.