Two quarterbacks heading in opposite directions will clash in an NFL preseason Week 3 matchup between the mercurial 49ers and (likely) Super Bowl-contending Chiefs.
The 49ers might be in big trouble in 2019 — there’s no other way to look at the situation. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch are in a no-win scenario with QB Jimmy Garappolo. He’s one of the highest-paid players in the league, and yet his current he may not be the player they traded for nearly two years ago. The problem is the already-hampering Niners can ill afford for Garappolo to miss time. Does he play himself out of his funk, or sit to preserve his knee, as he’s still on the mend from a torn ACL?
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will not have that issue with Patrick Mahomes, who has the skills and mental makeup to become one of the all-time greats. Equipped with arguably the most explosive receiver group in the league, he’ll approach and possibly even break passing records. Running back, however, still has question marks. It appears Damien Williams will be the starter, but whether or not he’s a frontline starter is still to be determined.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers
- When: Saturday, Aug. 24 at 8pm ET
- Where: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri
- Streaming: NFL Network (free trials with various streaming services)
How to watch the Chiefs vs. 49ers online
The Chiefs vs. 49ers game continues the NFL Network’s run of nationally televising the first week of the preseason, but even if you’ve cut the cable cord or you want to watch it on your mobile device, there are plenty of ways to accomplish that. But first, you’ll need to get acquainted with NFL Network.
What is NFL Network?
If you want to be immersed in pro football, NFL Network is the place to go. There’s plenty to love about NFL Network, including the ability to watch exclusive shows like Good Morning Football, NFL Total Access, A Football Life, Inside the NFL, and most importantly, Sunday’s NFL GameDay once the regular season begins. There’s also daily programming devoted to power rankings and fantasy football that football lovers will geek out over. NFL Network shows most Thursday night games during the regular season, and it’ll exclusively show some of the international games in 2019. Take note, though: NFL Network can no longer be seen via DirecTV Now.
The bottom line: If you want to get closer to the action and catch (almost) every Thursday Night Football game, you need NFL Network.
NFL Network
Chiefs vs. 49ers live stream: How to watch NFL Network
1) Sling TV
- Cost: $25-$40 per month (40% off first month)
- Sling TV devices: Amazon Fire TVs,Android Fire Stick, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One, Google Chromecast, Oculus Go, and iOS and Android devices
- Sling TV local channels: NBC, Fox (check your local availability here)
If you want to watch the Chiefs vs. 49ers online via Sling TV, you’ll need to be subscribed to either Sling Blue ($25 per month) or Sling Orange + Blue ($40 per month). Both of those packages include NFL Network and a number of sports channels—like three ESPN channels, NBCSN, and FS1—and it’s still a nice perk that Sling subscribers can order a la carte packages. Sling TV also offers a special Latino package for bilingual viewers. Sling TV is currently offering a deal where you can subscribe for 40% off the regular price for the first month of your subscription. That means Sling Blue would cost $15, and Sling Orange + Blue would cost $25. (Here’s a complete guide to Sling TV channels and our Sling TV review.)
2) FuboTV
- Cost: $54.99 per month
- FuboTV devices: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV, iOS and Android devices
- FuboTV local channels: Fox, NBC, CBS (check local availability here)
If you’re a big-time sports fan, FuboTV is your best streaming service option. If you love international soccer and you’re a Spanish speaker, FuboTV also offers various add-on packages, including Fubo Latino and Fubo Português. FuboTV’s basic plan showcases nearly 100 channels and includes NFL Network. At $54.99 per month, you’ll also get FS1, FS2, NBCSN, NBA TV, Big Ten Network, Pac 12 Network, BeIn Sports, and CBS Sports Network, along with premium channels like FX/FXX/FXM. The only notable omission for sports fans is ESPN. You can add Fubo’s Sports Plus package for an additional $8.99 per month, which allows you to stream NFL RedZone, (Here’s the complete FuboTV channels list.)
3) PlayStation Vue
- Cost: $44.99-$79.99 per month
- PlayStation Vue devices: PlayStation 3 and 4, Roku, Amazon Fire, Google Chromecast, Kodi, iOS and Android devices
- PlayStation Vue local channels: NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
If you’d like to watch live NFL games directly from your PS4, PlayStation Vue is your best bet. PlayStation also works with streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire products, but what separates PlayStation from the rest of the streaming services is that it’s also compatible with Kodi. No matter how you stream, you’ll get to choose from four tiers of channels—all but the cheapest include NFL Network. From there, you can also add NFL RedZone as part of the $10-per-month Sports Pack, which also unlocks ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN Classic, Longhorn Network, Outside TV, and NBCUniversal regional sports networks. You can see the full list of PlayStation Vue channels here. Two other great perks: You can stream on up to five devices at once, and there’s also unlimited cloud DVR.
Other ways to watch NFL Network online
1) The NFL app
- Cost: Depends on provider
- Devices: Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, PS4, Roku, Android RV, iOS and Android devices
If you subscribe to NFL Network through a cable provider—or you know someone who does and they owe you a relatively large favor—you can also watch via the official NFL app. All you have to do is download it from your streaming device of choice—Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, PS4, Roku, or Android TV—and then enter in your cable credentials when prompted. You can also stream on any iOS or Android device, or on your desktop. Just visit nfl.com/watch.
Chiefs vs. 49ers: Why it matters
Week 3 usually proves to be primetime for starters, as full units begin to get game time reps together. Expect all non-injured starters to play a little more than usual – we’re talking an extra series or two.
Jimmy Garappolo looked like he didn’t belong in the NFL last week, as the 49ers signal-caller completed one of six pass attempts for net zero yards and a pick. He finished with a zero passer rating. It was ugly, but frankly, the practices during the week prior had already told the story, including the session where he threw five consecutive interceptions. Reports coming out of camp, or loud whispers, are saying he’s not exactly picking up what head coach Kyle Shanahan is putting down. That said, there’s the real possibility his still-healing knee is harming his progress.
Surprisingly, it appears that running back Carlos Hyde might be on the cut list for Kansas City, after the front office signed him to a deal with $1.5 million guaranteed. After WR Marcus Kemp was felled by injury, the Chiefs brought back familiarity and speed by signing De’Anthony Thomas. Tyrann Mathieu will man the free safety spot, with the rookie Juan Thornhill manning the strong side. CB Morris Claiborne will likely get work before he serves his four-game substance abuse suspension.
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