NFL preseason Week 2 Friday slate: Jets visit Steelers, Panthers face Jaguars, Broncos host Packers

Key facts

Jets at Steelers at 7 p.m. ET, Panthers at Jaguars at 7:30 p.m. ET, Packers at Broncos at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, August 21
Steelers QB Drew Allar (Penn State, 3rd round): 10 of 13, 153 yards, 2 TDs in Week 1 win vs. Packers
Broncos favored at -6; Jets-Steelers and Panthers-Jaguars both at -1.5
Jets RB Breece Hall out with groin injury; backup Braelon Allen expected to increase playing time
Steelers WR Germie Bernard (Alabama, 2nd round): 4 catches, 51 yards, 5 targets in Week 1

Friday’s preseason matchups and odds

The NFL preseason continues on Friday, August 21, 2026, with three games. The Pittsburgh Steelers host the New York Jets at 7 p.m. ET, the Jacksonville Jaguars welcome the Carolina Panthers at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the Denver Broncos face the Green Bay Packers at 9 p.m. ET. All three games will be available nationally. According to CBS Sports, the Broncos are favored at -6, while both the Jets-Steelers and Panthers-Jaguars matchups are set at -1.5.

Drew Allar and Pittsburgh’s QB situation

The Steelers’ rookie quarterback Drew Allar, a third-round pick from Penn State, has been a focal point of preseason interest following a strong Week 1 performance. In that game against Green Bay, Allar completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Mike McCarthy has indicated that only Allar and Will Howard will take snaps at quarterback on Friday, giving Allar another substantial opportunity to display his abilities. According to CBS Sports expert Matt Severance, Steelers veteran Aaron Rodgers will not play, as is typical in the preseason.

Jets’ running back situation

The Jets will be without running back Breece Hall, who is sidelined by a groin injury. Backup Braelon Allen is expected to see increased playing time, including snaps with the first team. In Week 1, Allen rushed for 44 yards and one touchdown on four carries despite being used primarily as a backup. Allen missed most of the previous season with an MCL injury but had 482 scrimmage yards and 3 touchdowns as a rookie in 2024 at age 20, making him the NFL’s youngest player that season. Jets coach Aaron Glenn has indicated starters will see meaningful action on Friday.

Notable offensive players

The Steelers’ receiving group includes rookie Germie Bernard, a second-round pick from Alabama. In Week 1, Bernard had four catches for 51 yards and led the Steelers with five targets. He was Alabama’s receiving leader last season with 64 catches for 862 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Panthers’ quarterback situation features former first-round pick Kenny Pickett, now in his fourth team in four years. In Week 1, Pickett completed 84.2 percent of his passes for 92 yards and one touchdown and had more pass attempts than any other Panthers quarterback.

Viewer access

All three Friday games will be broadcast nationally, with options to stream via fubo, which offers a free trial for new users, as well as traditional television and NFL Network.

Sources

Featured photo: Tony Webster via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)