The NFL pre-season is a unique time for football fans. Some may choose to ignore the games, as their favorite players are often benched and the outcomes have no impact on the regular season. However, there are also fans who eagerly anticipate the return of the NFL and watch every pre-season game religiously. Regardless of where you fall on this spectrum, it’s hard to ignore the excitement surrounding the start of the 2024-2025 season this weekend.
With the Hall of Fame game already in the books, more teams will take the field to test out the NFL’s new kickoff rule and begin strategizing for the upcoming season. Here’s a breakdown of which NFL teams are playing this week and where you can catch the action:
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
If you’re wondering how to watch NFL games for free, even if you’re out of market, there are a few options available. One of the best ways is to use a good HD antenna to access local broadcasts on CBS, Fox, or NBC. Additionally, there are several streaming services that offer live access to NFL games, though some may require a subscription fee.
For those looking to stream NFL games online without a cable subscription, services like Peacock, Disney+, Hulu with Live TV, YouTubeTV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and Fubo TV offer various packages that include access to live NFL games. Additionally, the NFL App, NFL+, and NFL Sunday Ticket provide options for streaming games on different devices.
This season, the NFL is implementing a new kickoff rule as a one-year experiment to make kickoffs more exciting. The rule involves restricting movement for all players except the kicker and returners until the ball is touched or hits the ground. Touchbacks will result in possession at the 30-yard line, and onside kicks must be declared in the fourth quarter.
As the NFL pre-season kicks into high gear, fans have plenty of options to catch all the action and prepare for the upcoming season. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a die-hard fan, there’s no shortage of ways to stay connected to the game you love.