NFL Preseason Schedule 2015: Key Matchups, Dates and Ticket Info

Turn on your sports radio or read your city's big-name columnist, and you will almost certainly begin to hear the whining in a loud and declarative tone.

The subject: the NFL preseason. Everyone likes to talk about how much he or she hates it and how meaningless it is.

That opinion couldn't be more ignorant.

While the preseason games and final scores may not matter very much, try telling a late-round draft choice or rookie free agent that it's meaningless. Try telling the same thing to the aging veteran who is trying to hold on to his job one more year by proving he can still get it done on special teams.

A veteran coach like John Fox may not have been overly concerned about the preseason during his run with the Broncos when they were AFC favorites and coming off a Super Bowl appearance. But Fox isn't in Denver anymore, and he has taken over a Chicago Bears team that struggled to a 5-11 record last year. His new team needs confidence, and a team gains confidence by playing well, even in the preseason.

Winning and losing preseason games may not be overly important to established teams, but those games can determine whether a team pays a player or cuts him, leaving him thinking about what might have been.

In this piece, look at a few preseason games that could be exciting from a spectator's point of view. Here's the full list of games this summer. Tickets can be purchased for preseason games at ScoreBig.

Date	Game	Time (ET)	Skinny	Tickets
Aug. 13	Green Bay at New England	7:30 p.m.	Two best coaches in the league?	ScoreBig.com
Aug. 20	Buffalo at Cleveland	8 p.m.	LeSean McCoy gives Bills a new look	ScoreBig.com
Aug. 21	Seattle at Kansas City	8 p.m.	Nasty game on tap at Arrowhead	ScoreBig.com
Aug. 23	Green Bay at Pittsburgh	1 p.m.	Time for Rodgers, Roethlisberger to get loose	ScoreBig.com
Aug. 23	St. Louis at Tennessee	8 p.m.	Mariota gets first opportunity in front of the home fans	ScoreBig.com
Aug. 29	New York Jets at New York Giants	7 p.m.	Time for old rivalry to show some new life	ScoreBig.com
Aug. 29	Indianapolis at St. Louis	8 p.m.	Luck needs to stay healthy vs. Rams' pass rush	ScoreBig.com
Aug. 29	Seattle at San Diego	8 p.m.	Rookie RB Gordon gets a major test	ScoreBig.com

Green Bay at New England, Aug. 13

Generally, games in the first week of the preseason don't hold a lot of interest. However, when the defending Super Bowl champions meet the team that many consider to be a favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year, it's another story.

Especially after the show these two teams put on in Week 13 last year when the Packers pulled out a 26-21 victory at home. It was a stellar duel between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, and Green Bay was able to hold off the eventual Super Bowl champions.

After the game, New England head coach Bill Belichick congratulated Packers head coach Mike McCarthy with uncharacteristic warmth and admiration.

"

Entering 10th season as Packers coach, Mike McCarthy constantly evolving, writes @BradBiggs: http://t.co/COfhJXFJwr pic.twitter.com/jVnrdycbru

— ChicagoSports (@ChicagoSports) August 8, 2015"

There will be no living in the past or the future for either of these teams. First-team players are not likely to see much action, but Belichick will give his depth players an opportunity to prove themselves, as will McCarthy.

"

Photo: Rookie CB Darryl Roberts, who has shown solid ball skills in camp, waits for an interview. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/GmUT8CvXVb

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 11, 2015"

It's also an opportunity to see two of the very best coaches in the business match wits. While neither one will empty his bag of tricks, it is unlikely either one wants to let the other gain an advantage.

St. Louis at Tennessee, Aug. 23

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

The Rams had a difficult season last year, finishing 6-10, but they could turn things around this year with Nick Foles at quarterback and a veteran defensive unit that should be quite impressive this season.

Foles established himself with the Philadelphia Eagles, yet coach Chip Kelly decided to go with Sam Bradford. That may turn out to be good news for Rams coach Jeff Fisher.

Remember, Foles had a remarkable 27-2 TD-interception ratio in 2013 and was one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. While he could not match that last year and also suffered a broken collarbone in Week 9, he is a confident, accurate passer who is capable of upgrading the offense.

Former Lion Nick Fairley joins one of the strongest defensive lines in the league. He will play with Robert Quinn (10.5 sacks in 2014) and Chris Long, who suffered through an injury-plagued season a year ago. If he can stay healthy this year, it will be difficult to contain the Rams' pass-rushers.

The Titans were a miserable 2-14 last year, but they earned the No. 2 selection in last spring's draft and used it to select quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Mariota should get an opportunity to show what he can do in this game. He has been quite sharp in camp and has not thrown any interceptions, and that's obviously superb news for head coach Ken Whisenhunt.

"

Marcus Mariota's calm, Dorial Green-Beckham's potential are stoking a rare buzz for the Titans http://t.co/54addg5Hkn pic.twitter.com/k84XCX0bY8

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 7, 2015"

Seattle at San Diego, Aug. 29

Stephen Brashear/Associated Press

The third week of the preseason is go week for most teams. 

Starters regularly play into the third quarter, and coaches will generally have a much more involved game plan than they will have at any other point in the preseason.

The Seahawks have become the standard-bearers in the NFC, having won the Super Bowl two seasons ago and falling just short against the Patriots last February.

Head coach Pete Carroll's team still appears loaded, and it will be difficult to beat. Quarterback Russell Wilson has his new contract, Marshawn Lynch remains a punishing runner and the defense is as nasty as it gets. There may not be a better all-around linebacker than Bobby Wagner, and he could be flying around this game.

"

Since coming into the league in 2012, Russell Wilson is third in the NFL behind Rodgers and Peyton in yards per pass attempt.

— NFL Spin Zone (@NFLSpinZone) August 12, 2015"

The Chargers believe they have upgraded their running game by selecting Melvin Gordon in the first round. The former Wisconsin Badger has speed, explosiveness and confidence, and he will need all three of those characteristics if he is going to succeed against the Seattle defense.

It's unlikely Gordon will get a big head in his rookie season. His own mother won't don his jersey until he proves himself against the top players in the game. 

"

“You’ve got to show me a little something.” Melvin Gordon's mom won't be wearing her son's jersey...until he earns it http://t.co/Ve0N8Dsexk

— ESPN (@espn) August 3, 2015"