NFL Preseason Schedule 2014: Dates, TV Info and Matchups to Watch

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

As NFL training camps around the nation bleed into the preseason, it can be quite the task to pick and choose which of the 65 upcoming duels to set aside time for in the dying embers of summer.

It all begins Sunday in a rather humble manner as the hapless Buffalo Bills take on the equally hapless New York Giants. But this time of year, nothing short of feel-good vibes rise up from each camp as every team fancies itself a contender.

For fans, a team's intrigue based on storylines and actual matchup factors plays a large part in which meaningless contests they decide to invest well-deserved free time (or sneaky work viewing on mobile devices).

Let's take a look at three can't-miss matches, two of which come in the all-important third week.

2014 NFL Preseason Schedule

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Each preseason game can be streamed with "NFL Preseason Live."

Matchups to Watch

Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens

It may be the preseason, but fans get a double whammy with this one—a Super Bowl XLVII rematch and a Harbaugh Bowl.

In one corner of the ring rests John's Baltimore Ravens, a franchise on the prowl for a better finish than the 8-8 output a season ago. Defensively, the Ravens are hoping that rookie linebacker and No. 17 overall pick C.J. Mosley can come through and help turn the unit around. The reviews so far have been positive from all angles, as noted by Garrett Downing of the Ravens' digital media team:

For Joe Flacco, his hopes ride on the arrival of veteran wideout Steve Smith, who spent the first 13 years of his stellar career with the Carolina Panthers, which was capped off by helping to bring along one Cam Newton. In theory, he will be a strong chain-mover who opens things up for Torrey Smith and Dennis Pitta, not to mention the ground game.

In the opposite corner is San Francisco, a team that Jim can only hope has what it takes to move past a tumultuous offseason. As if erratic behavior from Aldon Smith and an injury to NaVorro Bowman were not enough, the backfield depth is beginning to look quite shaky, as explained by Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle:

LaMichael James is expected back before the regular-season opener, but further health issues at the position may put a damper on things.

Really, the 49ers are tailor-made for preseason action, though. General Manager Trent Baalke and Co. have constructed the NFL's deepest roster, meaning the action never gets boring—which will especially be the case in Week 1 against a familiar foe.

Week 3: New York Giants at New York Jets

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

A duel between the teams in the Big Apple is always a good time.

The New York Jets seem destined to make things more complicated than they have to under center, which has been the calling card of Rex Ryan in recent years.

Ryan decided to bring on Michael Vick this offseason to counteract Geno Smith, who heads into his sophomore year after a rocky start. But Ryan cannot seem to decide whether he wants to compete now or build for the future, so whom he picks to start will likely be yanked from contests for backup-specific packages.

The dynamic is the main point to watch, even if Vick says the job is not his, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

Big Blue has some storylines to watch, too. Eli Manning's plight a season ago that saw him tally 27 interceptions is something to monitor as he trades in Hakeem Nicks for rookie Odell Beckham Jr. But the real focus should be behind Eli.

With David Wilson on the sideline for an unknown amount of time, the door is wide open for Rashad Jennings, rookie Andre Williams and Peyton Hillis to steal totes. By the third week of the preseason, the starter should be known, but a test against a dangerous front seven may shake things up more than solve them.

Much will be revealed about the future for both franchises who share half of New York once the game concludes.

Week 3: Cincinnati Bengals at Arizona Cardinals

Matt York/Associated Press

Any time Carson Palmer gets a shot at his former team, it is time to pay attention.

Remember, Palmer is the guy who was willing to retire rather than take another snap under center as a member of the franchise that calls the Queen City home. The Cincinnati front office then pulled off a rather uncharacteristic move and shipped him to Oakland, albeit to a familiar face—Hue Jackson, who just so happens to now be the offensive coordinator for the Bengals.

Al Behrman/Associated Press

Jackson is one of the main reasons to watch this one, too. He has Giovani Bernard and rookie Jeremy Hill to work with out of the backfield, and the two will have to maneuver past one of the NFL's best defensive fronts.

Through the air, Andy Dalton must get past a stout secondary that includes Patrick Peterson. His relationship with Jackson, and how it impacts the organization, is something to monitor closely. NFL.com's Michael Silver captured this complex, budding environment recently:

In the same conversation, Jackson told Dalton that "things will be different. We have to be better. And I'm going to coach you hard. If you'll allow me to push you, we can get to where we both want to go." Dalton, the coach recalls, "was receptive. He didn't even blink. He said, 'Coach, let's go.' I'm very proud of the fact that he's allowing me to coach him. He wants to be great."

On the flip side, the pressure is all on the offensive side of the ball for the Cardinals. Palmer is somewhat immobile—always has been—and the line features four new starters.

But with a full season under his belt in Bruce Arians' scheme, Palmer says things are finally coming full circle, according to Kent Somers of azcentral.com:

We've got a ton of work to do, but it just feels so good to be confident and be comfortable and know the guys around you know that you know what you're doing. There's not a shadow of a doubt on certain plays where there was in the past, like there are in new systems and new offenses. Just a great start and a long way to go.

What better way to test progress than against a perennial powerhouse defense that features an elite line led by Carlos Dunlap, an elite linebacker in Vontaze Burfict and a secondary that touts Leon Hall, Adam Jones and first-round rookie Darqueze Dennard?

As far as viewing entertainment goes, two potentially explosive offenses clashing against great defensive units in the week of the preseason that sees starters play into the second half of the contest is far and away the best one to watch in its entirety.