See when and where your team plays: The 2019 NFL preseason schedule

Will Carolina Panthers star Cam Newton return to MVP form? Could the Browns and two-year QB Baker Mayfield be legit? These are just two of the questions being asked (and answered) in the 2019 NFL preseason. Check out the NFL preseason schedule to find out how to watch Newton, Mayfield, and the numerous highly touted rookies looking to make their mark, as the league sets rosters to prepare for the 2019 NFL regular season. 

August will consist of a near-constant evaluation of rookies (drafted and undrafted), second-year pros, and journeyman veterans looking for a franchise that sees value in their skill sets. For example, as Super Bowl dark horses, the Cleveland Browns have to answer questions about Mayfield, as well rookie linebacker Mack Wilson, who graded out highest among qualifying defenders in Week 1.

However, this season will be about breakthroughs and breakouts. Mayfield and Texans QB Deshaun Watson are expected to take significant leaps forward in their progressions. There’s talk of Newton coming back to MVP form, especially with backfield mate Christian McCaffrey’s (hopeful) progression into a top-shelf back.

Do either the Rams, Bears, or Chiefs charge forward to become perennial Super Bowl contenders or take a step (or two back)? Can Drew Brees and Tom Brady continue their assault on the notion of aging?

In the end, the stars will likely be stars, but teams will only be as good as their depth—which makes the preseason reps critical to regular-season success.

How to watch the NFL preseason online

The NFL preseason 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 preseason 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 NFL 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.)

TRY SLING TV

2) FuboTV

• Cost: $54.99 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
• 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.)

TRY FUBOTV

3) PlayStation Vue

• Cost: $44.99-$79.99 per month (after a 5-day free trial)
• 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.

TRY PLAYSTATION VUE

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.

NFL preseason schedule

Week 2

Bills vs. Panthers 

• When: Friday, Aug. 16 at 7pm ET
• Where: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina
• Streaming: NFL Gamepass (also radio via Westwood One)

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