It feels great to say we have NFL football back. NFL preseason Week 1 gives us three games on Friday night. This weekend in NFL Preseason Week 1, every team is in action for the first time in the NFL 2025 season.
Below, we’ll highlight the top NFL DFS picks on PrizePicks for the Preseason Week 1 Friday games, including top player picks tonight for all three games.
You’ll also find how much each team will play their starters and how much playing time we can expect from them.
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Just pick More or Less on player stats, like Shedeur Sanders' passing touchdowns, and cash in if your picks are correct.
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2025 NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule – August 8
Here's the full schedule for the Friday, August 8 games in 2025 NFL Preseason Week 1.
- Lions vs. Falcons — 7 p.m. ET
- Browns vs. Panthers — 7 p.m. ET, NFL Network
- Commanders vs. Patriots — 7:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network
Browns vs. Panthers Picks Tonight
Find the Browns vs. Panthers picks and analysis for tonight’s Preseason Week 1 game below for NFL DFS on PrizePicks. Player projections come via the PrizePicks NFL Preseason board.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders — 148.5 Pass Yards
This is Sanders’ time to shine as he should see a significant amount of playing time. As of this moment, he and Tyler Huntley are the only two quarterbacks projected to play as Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillion Gabriel are dealing with injuries.
Sanders should get plenty of reps as the Browns try to figure out their quarterback situation, giving Sanders the first start tonight. With just two quarterbacks potentially playing in this game, do not be surprised if they split the halves, though it's possible we see Sanders play into the third quarter, as he will play about 50 snaps, per HC Kevin Stefanski.
For context, the Browns averaged 69 snaps per game in the 2024 regular season.
How Much Will Panthers Starters Play vs. Browns?
Last season, rookie head coach Dave Canales elected not to play his starters in the first two preseason games. He was heavily criticized for that move, especially with a new coaching staff and a lot of young players.
In his second season, he changed up that decision and will have his starters get reps in this game. Do not expect a lot of playing time, as he said it is likely that the starters will get 8-12 snaps.
How Much Will Browns Starters Play vs. Panthers?
We already mentioned that Shedeur Sanders will get the start for this game, but he will not have a chance to play with the first unit. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski does not like to play his starters, and even with the tryouts for the QB1, that stance does not change. Browns starters will sit tonight.
Lions vs. Falcons Picks Tonight
Find the Lions vs. Falcons picks and analysis for tonight’s Preseason Week 1 game below for NFL DFS on PrizePicks. Player projections come via the PrizePicks NFL Preseason board.
Lions RB Jabari Small — 26.5 Rush Yards
Without any starters, it should be RB Craig Reynolds and Jabari Small getting a majority of the reps in the backfield. Small has to make a big impression if he wants to find a role, because Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery hold down the feature back role, while Reynolds was the RB3.
He and Lions have already played a game this preseason, and Small had 35 yards on 11 carries.
Last preseason, the Falcons allowed the ground game to run free with over 140 in two games, including a 208-yard rushing performance from the Jaguars.
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How Much Will Lions Starters Play vs. Falcons?
Especially with the Lions playing an extra preseason game, Dan Campbell will not have any of his starters on the field. As of now, it will be quarterback Hendon Hooker playing the first half and Kyle Allen playing the second.
How Much Will Falcons Starters Play vs. Lions?
Even with Michael Penix Jr. getting very little playing time in his rookie season, he and the rest of the starters will not suit up for this game. Look for Easton Stick to start and Emory Jones to clean up later in the game.
Commanders vs. Patriots Picks Tonight
Find the Commanders vs. Patriots picks and analysis for tonight’s Preseason Week 1 game below for NFL DFS on PrizePicks. Player projections come via the PrizePicks NFL Preseason board.
Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson — 20.5 Rush Yards
There are a couple of rookie running backs to watch during the preseason, and former Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson is one of them. There is a lot of positive news coming out of training camp about Henderson, and new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel likes what he sees from his second-round rookie.
Reporters are in love with what they are seeing from Henderson. NFL insider Jordan Schultz, calling him “special” and a “difference maker.” He's been one of the fastest rising rookies among fantasy football experts this year, though his role is still up in the air in his rookie year.
Henderson is behind Rhamondre Stevenson on the depth chart, but should get plenty of snaps as a great runner, pass catcher, and blocker in the preseason.
How Much Will Patriots Starters Play vs. Commanders?
Head coach Mike Vrabel has already confirmed that the starters will get playing time this season. Not a big surprise with a whole new coaching staff, new scheme, and a lot of changeover, especially on the defensive side. While Vrabel has confirmed the starters will play, he hasn’t said how much.
How Much Will Commanders Starters Play vs. Patriots?
Dan Quinn has said that his starters will not play in the first preseason game. This includes quarterback Jayden Daniels and backup QB Marcus Mariota. This means journeyman Josh Johnson and undrafted second-year quarterback Sam Hartman will get the start.
Make NFL DFS Picks on PrizePicks
The NFL is officially back — even if they're just exhibition games. We have three preseason games on Friday, August 8. There’s no better way to get in on the real money action of football season than on PrizePicks.
Just pick your players on the NFLP (NFL Preseason) board, predict More or Less on their stats, and get ready for gametime.
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