The NFL pre-season is an odd duck. Some fans largely ignore the games, since their favorite players are usually benched and the results don’t matter. Others, though, are so happy to have the NFL back that they watch religiously.
Whatever camp you sit in, it will be hard to avoid the full-fledged start to the 2024-2025 season this weekend. With the Hall of Fame game behind us, more teams will get their chance to try the NFL’s new kickoff rule and start figuring out how to use that to their advantage this year.
Here’s how best to catch the action.
Which NFL teams are playing this week? And what channels are airing the games?
The action starts Thursday with a pair of games, but there’s plenty of football for the rest of the weekend as well. Note that most games will air in the broadcast region of the teams playing, but may not air nationally. (The home team is listed second.)
Thursday, Aug. 8
Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants, 7:00 p.m. ET on Fox
Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots, 7:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Friday, Aug. 9
Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins, 7:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 7:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens, 7:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
Saturday, Aug. 10
Washington Commanders vs. New York Jets, 12:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Chicago Bears vs. Buffalo Bills, 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Minnesota Vikings, 4:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Green Bay Packers vs. Cleveland Browns, 4:25 p.m. ET on NFL+
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 7:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 7:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans, 7:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 7:05 p.m. ET on CBS
New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals, 8:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
Sunday, Aug. 11
Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:30 p.m. ET on ABC
How can I watch NFL games for free—even if I am out of market?
The best way to watch any sort of network programming for free on a big screen is with a good HD antenna. And if you’re local team is playing there’s a good chance that CBS, Fox or NBC will air the game. o ensure you're getting the most reliable signal, be sure to test the antenna in multiple locations in your home.
Can I stream NFL games live online if I don't have a cable subscription?
There are several options, though not all of them will work for this week’s games:
Peacock
NBC’s streaming service will give you access to several games, including all upcoming Sunday night matchups. You can get a seven-day free trial, followed by a $8 or $14 monthly charge. (The free version of Peacock does not include live sports.)
Disney+
Disney's bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $15 per month for all three combined (or $25 per month for no ads on Hulu).
Hulu with Live TV
The free trial on this service is no longer offered, as well. It will now cost you $77 per month.
YouTubeTV
After a free trial, you can expect monthly charges of $73.
Sling TV
Dish Network's Sling lower-tiered "Orange" plan will run you $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive "Blue" plan bumps the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial has disappeared, unfortunately.
DirecTV Stream
Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service will run you $80 per month and up after the free trial option. (The package that includes NFL Network will run you $99 per month.)
Fubo TV
This sports-focused cord-cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. There's a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $80 and up, depending on the channels you choose.
Can I watch NFL games on Amazon?
Amazon once again has the exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football—but that exclusivity again has a few caveats. No pre-season games will air on the streaming service, nor will the Week One game of the regular season. And, like last year, it won’t carry any games on Thanksgiving, though it will on Black Friday. The first matchup on Amazon this year will be the Buffalo Bills facing the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 12.
Does the NFL offer any viewing packages to watch the games I want?
A trio of them.
NFL App
The NFL App will let you stream games that are being broadcast locally in your market on Sundays. If you want to watch an "out of market" game, you've got two choices.
NFL+
Watch live local and out of market games and (with the premium subscription) replays. You're looking at a $50 charge per season. ($100 for premium.)
NFL Sunday Ticket
YouTube once again is the home for this channel. Prices this year start at $73 per month for Sunday Ticket and YouTubeTV or $449 for just Sunday Ticket (spanning the entirety of out-of-market games this season).
What’s this new kickoff rule all about?
The NFL is trying a one-year experiment this season, putting all members of the kicking and receiving teams (except the kicker and returners) within a 10-yard zone down the field. Only the kicker and two returners will be allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.
Kicks that reach the end zone in the air can be returned, or taken as a touchback and possession at the 30-yard line. If a ball hits the ground (or a player) before the end zone and goes into the end zone, the touchback will be at the 20-yard line. The kick can also still be returned.
Onside kicks, meanwhile, can no longer be surprises, as the trailing team will have to declare plans to attempt one—and only in the fourth quarter.
The idea is to make kickoffs more exciting, but there will be some kinks to work out.
