Week 3 of the NFL preseason is the final dress rehearsal for teams. The final games in Week 4 are more about rounding out the roster; this week, we should still see starters in action. This is an important game for both the Titans and Steelers, as there are a lot of question marks surrounding them. Most notably, fans are eager to see how these offensive units perform.
For the Titans, this is a make or break year. Quarterback Marcus Mariota has had an uninspiring tenure in Nashville, and if his squad can’t put it together this season, it might be time for a new QB in Tennessee.
The Steelers have fared better than the Titans over the last few years, but they don’t have any recent Super Bowl rings to show for it. Despite high expectations, Pittsburgh hasn’t been to the big game since their 2011 loss to the Packers in Super Bowl XLV.
For the Steelers, the big question is the passing game. After an uninspiring Week 2, the pass catchers in Pittsburgh have an opportunity to make a statement, with Big Ben Roethlisberger finally throwing them the ball. At the receiver position, Donte Moncrief and James Washington are fighting it out to line up opposite JuJu Smith-Schuster. At tight end, Xavier Grimble has struggled lately, leaving the spot behind Vance McDonald on the depth chart up for grabs.
In Tennessee, all eyes are on the quarterback position. Titans reporters are fairly unified in the belief that Marcus Mariota won’t lose his job to newly-acquired signal-caller Ryan Tannehill before the season begins. But fans will be watching the signal caller for signs of progress as the regular season looms.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans
- When: Saturday, Aug. 25 at 8pm ET
- Where: Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee
- Streaming: NFL Network (free trials with various streaming services), NBC
How to watch the Steelers vs. Titans online
The Steelers vs. Titans 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.
Steelers vs. Browns 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 Steelers vs. Titans 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 (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.)
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.
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.
Steelers vs. Titans: Why it matters
This week, both teams should get a better sense of what talent they have on their rosters. Starters ought to see significant action, especially in the second half. This means that some potential rough spots could show themselves as these teams simulate regular-season action.
The Titans receiving corps of Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, A.J. Brown, and Tajae Sharpe aren’t exactly household names. It’s really going to be on Mariota’s shoulders to make things work in Nashville this year, and this offense is going to have to really gel if this squad is going to have any hope in a competitive AFC South. While an aging Delanie Walker is a nice release valve, he is not the key to a playoff run.
For the Steelers, the question is whether or not they can effectively replace Antonio Brown. The mercurial player is one of the best receivers in the league, and perhaps of all time, regardless of what you might think of his antics. While James Conner has been serviceable as a replacement for Le’Veon Bell at running back, Brown may prove harder to replace.
Tune in Sunday to see just how much optimism is building around these two very different teams facing very similar challenges.
For a year-round sports fix, sign up here to receive our weekly boxing newsletter. You’ll hear about all the biggest fights and best knockouts from the Daily Dot’s streaming sports guru Josh Katzowitz.
The Daily Dot may receive a payment in connection with purchases of products or services featured in this article. Click here to learn more.