The NFL preseason officially begins tonight, one week after the appetizer that was the Hall of Fame game. With ESPN now owning and operating NFL Network, many are wondering where and how to watch the next best thing to football games that count.
It's a little confusing. The schedule posted by NFL.com mentions only the games to be televised by NFL Network. The ESPN version includes the games that will be televised live on the ESPN App.
Ultimately, all of the various preseason games will be re-aired by NFL Network.
Here's the best way to see the Week 1 games that will be televised live, beyond the local markets.
On Thursday night, Packers-Steelers will be televised at 7:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network. At 8:00 p.m. ET, Cardinals-Raiders streams on the ESPN App. At 9:00 p.m. ET, Titans-49ers will be carried by NFL Network. (Obviously, there will be overlap between Packers-Steelers and Titans-49ers.)
On Friday night, Broncos-Falcons begins at 7:00 p.m. ET, on the ESPN App. At that same time, Buccaneers-Jets will be shown by NFLN.
Saturday's slate has Browns-Bears at 1:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network and Vikings-Giants at 1:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App.
At 4:00 p.m. ET, it will be Rams-Chiefs on NFLN and Jaguars-Saints on the ESPN App.
Eagles-Ravens begins at 7:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App, and Cowboys-Seahawks kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
All out-of-market preseason games can be seen live on the NFL+ service.