NFL Preseason Week 2: Texans and Raiders set for Thursday showdown at NRG Stadium
Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, with ESPN providing broadcast coverage and streaming options for the preseason contest.
The Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders are scheduled to contest an NFL preseason Week 2 match on Thursday, 20 August 2026, at NRG Stadium in Houston. The game is set to kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, with broadcast coverage provided by ESPN. Fans can also access the match via live stream through the ESPN app and fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.
The primary focus for observers will be Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the top overall draft pick and Heisman Trophy winner. Following his preseason debut against the Arizona Cardinals, where he completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, Mendoza is expected to receive an extended look in this game. Although Kirk Cousins is anticipated to start for the Raiders in this contest and presumably in the first week of the regular season, Mendoza’s adjustment to the professional game remains a key narrative for the franchise.
On the other side, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is set to make his first appearance of the preseason. Stroud sat out the previous week in favour of Davis Mills and Graham Mertz. The Texans’ roster has undergone recent changes after Mertz suffered a season-ending knee injury during the team’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. In response, the organisation signed veteran quarterback Brett Rypien this week to provide additional depth to the position.
Both teams aim to balance the acquisition of key repetitions with the management of injury risks, a standard priority during the preseason phase of the NFL calendar. The Texans-Raiders matchup serves as the opening game for the Thursday slate of preseason contests.
The full schedule for NFL preseason Week 2 includes games spanning Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Other notable matchups on Thursday include the Los Angeles Chargers versus the San Francisco 49ers at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on NFL Network and local channels. The schedule continues with games on Friday, including the Pittsburgh Steelers versus the New York Jets, and a slate of matches on Saturday and Sunday featuring teams such as the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles.
According to reporting from Yahoo Sports, the broadcast details for these games are distributed across various platforms, including ESPN, NFL Network, Fox, and local channels, ensuring wide availability for viewers across different time zones.
