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The Kansas City Chiefs kick off their quest to become the first Super Bowl threepeat winners Thursday as the 2024-2025 NFL season officially gets underway. And the first game is set to be a banger, as the Chiefs square off against the Baltimore Ravens, who they last faced in the conference championship game in January.<\/p>\n
Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson hope to lead their teams to a big start this season. But they\u2019ve got some untested rookie talent joining them on the field.<\/p>\n
The 2024 season is getting a bit of a rolling start, with a single game Thursday, one on Friday, then the rest on the league\u2019s traditional Sunday schedule. That\u2019s plenty of time for fans who have been suffering from a bit of football withdrawal to sink into their couch or favorite beer stool.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how best to catch the game.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s just one game tonight. (The home team is listed second.)<\/p>\n
Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC<\/p>\n The best way to watch any sort of network programming for free on a big screen is with a good HD antenna. And since the kickoff game will be carried by NBC, watching will be fairly simple. To ensure you\u2019re getting the most reliable signal, be sure to test the antenna in multiple locations in your home.<\/p>\n You can\u2014and there are several options:<\/p>\n NBC\u2019s streaming service<\/a> will give you access to several games, including tonight\u2019s, tomorrow\u2019s and all upcoming Sunday night matchups. You can get a seven-day free trial, followed by a $8 or $14 monthly charge. (The free version of Peacock does not include live sports.)<\/p>\n Disney\u2019s bundle of Disney+, Hulu<\/a> and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you\u2019ll have to pay $17 per month for all three combined (or $30 per month for no ads on Hulu).<\/p>\n Including Live TV in the bundle bumps the price to $77 per month ($90 with no ads).<\/p>\n The free trial on this service<\/a> lasts three days. Afterward, it will cost you $77 per month.<\/p>\n After a free trial<\/a>, you can expect monthly charges of $73.<\/p>\n Dish Network\u2019s Sling lower-tiered \u201cOrange\u201d plan will run you $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive \u201cBlue\u201d plan bumps the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial has disappeared, unfortunately.<\/p>\n Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service<\/a> will run you $80 per month and up after the free trial option. (The package that includes NFL Network will run you $99 per month.)<\/p>\n This sports-focused cord-cutting service<\/a> carries broadcast networks in most markets. There\u2019s a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $80 and up, depending on the channels you choose.<\/p>\n Amazon<\/a> will be the usual home of Thursday Night Football once again, but not this week. Also, like last year, the streaming service won\u2019t carry any games on Thanksgiving, though it will on Black Friday. The first matchup on Amazon this year will be the Buffalo Bills facing the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 12.<\/p>\n Three, in fact.<\/p>\n The NFL App<\/strong><\/a> will let you stream games that are being broadcast locally in your market on Sundays. If you want to watch an \u201cout of market\u201d game, you\u2019ve got two choices.<\/p>\n Watch live local and out of market games and (with the premium subscription) replays. You\u2019re looking at a $50 charge per season. ($100 for premium.)<\/p>\n YouTube once again is the home for this channel. Prices this year start at $73 per month for Sunday Ticket and YouTubeTV or $449 for just Sunday Ticket (spanning the entirety of out-of-market games this season).<\/p>\n It will.<\/p>\n The NFL is trying a one-year experiment this season, putting all members of the kicking and receiving teams (except the kicker and returners) within a 10-yard zone down the field. Only the kicker and two returners will be allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.<\/p>\n Kicks that reach the end zone in the air can be returned, or taken as a touchback and possession at the 30. If a ball hits the ground (or a player) before the end zone and goes into the end zone, the touchback will be at the 20. The kick can also still be returned.<\/p>\n Onside kicks, meanwhile, can no longer be surprises, as the trailing team will have to declare plans to attempt one\u2014and only in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nHow can I watch the NFL season opener for free\u2014even if I am out of market?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Can I stream the 2024 NFL kickoff game live online if I don\u2019t have a cable subscription?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Peacock<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Disney+<\/h3>\n
Hulu with Live TV<\/h3>\n
YouTubeTV<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Sling TV<\/strong><\/h3>\n
DirecTV Stream<\/h3>\n
Fubo TV<\/h3>\n
Can I watch NFL games on Amazon?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Does the NFL offer any viewing packages to watch the games I want?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
NFL App<\/strong><\/h3>\n
NFL+ <\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
NFL Sunday Ticket<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Will the new kickoff rule be in effect in the regular season?<\/h2>\n
Explore our new special issue.<\/strong>
A Wall Street legend gets a radical makeover, crypto iniquity, misbehaving poultry royalty, and more.
Read the stories.<\/a> <\/div>\n