8/1/2024

NFL 2024 Preseason: How to Watch the Bears vs. Texans & Other Preseason Games Online Without Cable

The NFL Preseason launches Thursday (Aug. 1). Get the details on the best ways to livestream the games.

By Rylee Johnston

Rylee Johnston

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How to watch NFL preseason

Signage hangs on the stadium light poles prior to the National Football League Hall of Fame preseason game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on August 3, 2023, at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH. Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

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It’s almost time for the NFL kickoff, but until then, there are some preseason NFL games to hold fans over. We’re officially in the first week of NFL preseason, but there are still a string of games lined up that’ll have your rooting for your favorite team while drumming up excitement for the 2024-25 NFL regular season.

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This year, preseason starts Thursday (Aug. 1), with the Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans on ABC. Preseason continues until Aug. 25, then there will be a short break until the regular 2024 NFL season starts Sept. 5. Next up on the schedule will be the Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots and Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants on Aug. 8.

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Other upcoming games include the Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders vs. Jets, San Francisco 49ers vs. the Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys vs. L.A. Rams, and Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts.

The last game of NFL preseason will be held Sunday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m. ET and will see the Patriots and Commanders go up against one another.

You can check out the full NFL preseason schedule and scores here.

Unlike the normal season, preseason NFL games feature different streaming options to livestream the games online without cable.

Keep reading to learn how to watch NFL preseason online.

How to Watch NFL Preseason Live Without Cable

Most of the preseason NFL games are being aired on networks such as ABC, ESPN, CBS and Fox, which means cable viewers can watch the games for free through their cable provider. The Bears vs. Texans game will air live at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN and stream on ESPN+. If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on cable, you may be able to stream the games through and HD antenna. Or, you can check out a few affordable streaming options we found below.

One of our favorite live TV streamers is DirecTV Stream, which provides a five-day free trial and a range of packages that start at $79.99/month once the trial ends. With it, you’ll have access to hundreds of local channels such as ESPN and the NFL Network that’ll air almost every NFL preseason game (except for games that stream on Prime Video). DirecTV also offers a Choice and Entertainment streaming plans featuring up to 160+ channel and a Sports Package. Save $30 off when you subscribe to the Choice and Entertainment plans stating at $98.99/month.

directv stream: free trial

You’ll also be able to DVR games and other programs to watch back later, and have the ability to stream on an unlimited amount of devices.

Sling TV is offering a promo where you can get half off your first month (regularly $40) and enjoy everything from live sports coverage including NFL preseason, over 30 channels to browse and watch the news, entertainment and more. Plus, you can combine the Blue and Orange plans to expand your channel offerings to over 40 options for just $27.50 for the first month (regularly $55).

sling tv: $20 for the first month

Peacock will also give you access to live sports through its Plus plan, which is just $13.99/month or save 17% through an annual plan for $139.99/year. Through it, you’ll not only get access to over 80,000 hours of live TV and Peacock Originals, but Premier League, WWE, Sunday Night Football, and MLB Sunday Leadoff and the 2024 Summer Olympics.

peacock: subscribe Now

If you’re a student, you can take take advantage of its student discount promo, which provides the streaming service for only $1.99/month or a teacher’s discount for $2.99/month.

To maximize the amount of content you get without dropping hundreds of dollars, Hulu + Live TV provides you with the entire Hulu library and hundreds of cable channels including NFL Network and ESPN. Plans start at $76.99/month after a free trial for three days.

hulu + live tv: free trial

If you’re a fan of bundling, you can add on Disney+ and ESPN+, which will provide you with live game analysis as well as game highlights and more. If not, you can stream NFL preseason games on ESPN+ for $9.99/month.

International viewers who want to watch the games online without cable should use ExpressVPN.

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