This year’s NFL pre-season has been a chance for teams to get used to new rules and for the league to see what is and isn’t working. But this is the last weekend for testing.
After Sunday night’s game, the league and teams will have just under two weeks to make tweaks and adjustments before the start of the regular season. That likely means you won’t see a lot of star players on the field this week (and, if so, not for very long), but you could start to get a better idea of what directions coaches are planning to steer their squads in the months ahead.
The Colts and Bears won their games Thursday, beating the Bengals and Chiefs, respectively. Here’s how best to catch the action for the rest of the weekend.
Which NFL teams are playing this week? And what channels are airing the games?
You’ve got football choices every day this weekend. 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.)
Friday, Aug. 23
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons, 7:00 p.m. ET on Fox
Miami Dolphins vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7:30 p.m. ET on NFL+
San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 10:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Saturday, Aug. 24
Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers, 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m. ET on NFLNetwork
Los Angeles Rams vs. Houston Texans, 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills, 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL+
Los Angles Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
New York Giants vs. New York Jets, 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS and NFL Network
Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks, 10:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Sunday, Aug. 25
Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints, 2:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos, 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS
New England Patriots vs. Washington Commanders, 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC
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. To 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?
You certainly can. 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. 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?
Not just yet. Amazon once again has the exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football—but 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. 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. 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 are some kinks to work out.
