Check Your DVR: NFL 2009 Preseason Games To Watch For

It's time to take a look at your program guide and start recording, because the NFL preseason is now off and running.

In this article, I'll point out a nightly game to check out on your VCR, as well as talking about the importance of that matchup. Starting with Friday, August 14, here we go!

Week One

Friday, August 14...7:30 PM

Minnesota Vikings @ Indianapolis Colts

It will be our first look at Peyton Manning since January, and also a key part in the QB battle for the Vikings between Sage Rosenfels and Travaris Jackson. For fantasy football players, the opening glimpse of Adrian Peterson should be huge.

Saturday, August 15...7:00 PM

Chicago Bears @ Buffalo Bills

The Bills will be returning home from a disappointing loss in the Hall of Fame Game last Sunday, but that's not the main point of interest. Most of this game's viewers will tune in to see Jay Cutler's debut as a Bear, and it should certainly be interesting.

Monday, August 17...8:00 PM, ESPN

Carolina Panthers @ New York Giants

In what is sure to be a great matchup between the two top seeds in the NFC '08 Playoffs, it will also be a very interesting statistical performance to see how the Panther duo of Williams and Stewart will work out, as well as how the loss of Steve Smith will affect Carolina.

Week Two

Thursday, August 20...8:00 PM, FOX

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Indianapolis Colts

Nothing too special happening for either team in this game, but it's a great matchup between two top-level teams.

Friday, August 21...8:00 PM, FOX

Tennessee Titans @ Dallas Cowboys

After an impressive victory over Buffalo in the Hall of Fame game, the Titans fly south to visit the Cowboys, who are trying to avenge their 31-10 demolition by the Oakland Raiders yesterday evening.

Saturday, August 22

8:00 PM...New Orleans Saints @ Houston Texans

An inter-conference rivalry between two up-and-coming teams, the Saints and Texans should have plenty to prove to their respective conferences in this game.

10:00 PM...San Diego Chargers @ Arizona Cardinals

After a loss yesterday to the Steelers, the Cardinals will return home to face off against nearby foe San Diego in a battle of the elite.

Monday, August 24...8:00 PM, ESPN

New York Jets @ Baltimore Ravens

The first national look at Mark Sanchez is sure to be exciting, especially with a tough opponent such as Baltimore.

Week Three

Thursday, August 27...7:00 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Philadelphia Eagles

Not a very intriguing matchup, but when Micheal Vick is playing, everything is interesting.

Friday, August 28...8:00 PM, CBS

New England Patriots @ Washington Redskins

Anther look at Tom Brady will be plenty fun, as well as a chance to see how Albert Haynesworth is fitting in in the National Capital.

Saturday, August 29

1:00 PM...Indianapolis Colts @ Detroit Lions

Our first day game of the 2009 NFL season features an interesting look at the Detroit Lions and how Matthew Stafford is settling in.

8:00 PM, CBS...San Diego Chargers @ Atlanta Falcons

A battle of two former-ACC quarterbacks and their own talented teams, this could be a possible Super Bowl preview, if a few things go right.

Sunday, August 30...8:00 PM, NBC

Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos

How will Orton work with Denver, and Cutler work with Chicago. We'll find out who got the better of the deal right here.

Monday, August 31...8:00 PM, ESPN

Minnesota Vikings @ Houston Texans

A Monday Night battle between two upper-half teams with a few questions, this will also be the first national look at superstar WR Andre Johnson.

Week Four

Thursday, September 3

7:00 PM...Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Jets

Micheal Vick vs. Mark Sanchez should be interesting.

7:30 PM...New York Giants @ New England Patriots

Another possible Super Bowl preview features another big-time look at Brady.

8:00 PM...Green Bay Packers @ Tennessee Titans

A slew of top-level players here will face off in another intriguing AFC-NFC battle.

8:00 PM...Pittsburgh Steelers @ Carolina Panthers

Yet another Super Bowl preview will be a fantasy football player's delight, as DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Ben Rothlisberger, Willie Parker, and Hines Ward all square off at Bank of America Stadium.

Friday, September 4

7:00 PM...Houston Texans @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Surely not going to be a highly regarded game, but it could be a key in determining who will emerge from the pack as Tampa Bay's starting QB.

10:00 PM...San Francisco 49ers @ San Diego Chargers

This west coast battle could draw some viewers hoping to get a glimpse at unpredictable San Francisco versus another in-state elite opponent.

After all that, it's off to the regular season, which is sure to be even more exciting than the preseason!