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WhatToWatch

Entertainment

Michael Balderston

How to watch the 2024 NFL preseason: week 3

NFL NFL Network Houston Texans CBS Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Dallas Cowboys Fox NBC San Francisco 49ers

The long wait for the NFL is over! OK, it's just the NFL preseason, but considering this is the first on-field action since the thrilling Super Bowl LVIII in February, we're willing to bet many NFL diehards are chomping at the bit to watch 2024 NFL preseason action. Well, we've got you covered with everything you need to know.

HTW NFL preseason

Live TV streaming services
NFL Plus
Paramount Plus
Peacock
Prime Video

This month will see all 32 teams play three preseason games (the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans are playing four as they participate in the annual Hall of Fame game). However, watching NFL preseason games isn't like tuning in to the NFL on CBS or the NFL on Fox every Sunday.

Read on to find the best ways to watch your favorite team this preseason, whether that be on TV or streaming. Plus, we've got the full schedule and list of games that are going to be available on national TV.

How to watch NFL preseason games on TV

The NFL returns to TV for preseason action with all of the major networks that carry NFL games during the season having at least one national broadcast for a game (the announcing teams need some preseason reps, too).

It's week 3 of the preseason, the final dress rehearsals before the season begins in early September. With all 32 teams in action, here is what you need to know to watch the games.

Most games will be available to watch on local ABC, CBS, Fox or NBC stations (check your local listings to see what games are available and on what channel). Any of the games that air on these networks are going to be accessible to anyone with a traditional pay-TV provider, a TV antenna or a live TV streaming service. In the case of the later, Fubo, Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV get you all four of the national broadcast networks, while Sling TV carries ABC, Fox and NBC.

There are going to be eight preseason games that air nationally on NFL Network; they are: Bears vs Chiefs, Jaguars vs Falcons, 49ers vs Raiders, Steelers vs Lions, Chargers vs Cowboys, Giants vs Jets, Browns vs Seahawks and Titans vs Saints (see full schedule below for exact dates and times). The NFL Network is a premium cable channels, though they are available through most cable TV providers as well as being available on Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.

There CBS and NBC are also airing nationally broadcasted games, both on Sunday, August 25: Cardinals vs Broncos and, Patriots vs Commanders. Again, to watch NBC you need a traditional pay-TV provider, a TV antenna or one of Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV or YouTube TV; CBS is available on Fubo, Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV.

If you are not in an area where your favorite team is available on live TV, streaming is going to be the best way to watch these preseason games.

How to stream NFL preseason games

There are a few options to stream 2024 NFL preseason games, the best of which is NFL Plus. Subscribers to NFL Plus can watch all out-of-market preseason games live on any supported device; if a game is nationally televised it'll only be available on a phone or tablet via NFL Plus. As the streams are just for out-of-market games, fans cannot stream their local team via NFL Plus, but NFL Plus Premium subscribers can see full and condensed replays of all games on-demand.

NFL Plus is exclusively available in the US, but NFL Game Pass is available internationally, including in the UK, through the DAZN streaming platform. NFL Game Pass allows fans to watch replays of American broadcasts, including analysis, commentary and even commercials.

This week there are also a couple of games that are going to be available on streaming platforms. First, the Colts vs Bengals will air on Prime Video on Thursday, August 22. Then on Sunday, August 25, Peacock will simulcast the Patriots vs Commanders game airing on NBC. The CBS game between the Cardinals and Broncos should also be available for Paramount Plus subscribers.

2024 NFL preseason schedule

Find the remaining NFL preseason 2024 schedule directly below. If a game is available nationally, we've shared what network or streaming service it's going to be on.