When and Where to Catch the NFL Hall of Fame Game Bears vs Texans
While the summer has barely begun and the return of the beloved pumpkin spice latte is still weeks away, the new NFL season is about to officially commence. On Thursday night, the Houston Texans will face off against the Chicago Bears in the highly anticipated Hall of Fame game.
However, the main attraction of this matchup will not be the players themselves, but rather the much-anticipated debut of the NFL's new kickoff rule. Teams will be closely watching how far they can push the boundaries of this rule change without tipping their hand for the regular season.
Despite the game's lack of significance in the grand scheme of the NFL season, it will still captivate the hearts of football fans. This exhibition contest may not feature any of the teams' star players or key starters, but to the devoted NFL fanbase, that is of little consequence.
Think of this game as the amuse-bouche of the football season – a tantalizing appetizer that whets the appetite before the main course of the preseason and regular season unfolds. While it may not carry the same weight as the games to come, it is still football, and for many fans, that is more than enough.
So, how can you best experience this kickoff to the NFL season? Here are the details on tuning in to the Hall of Fame game between the Bears and Texans.
While the regular NFL season is still a few weeks away, football fans are in for a treat this week as the preseason officially gets underway. Although there is only one game scheduled for this Thursday, the upcoming week will see the full slate of league teams take the field.
Thursday, August 1st
Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears, 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN
This Hall of Fame game matchup between the Texans and Bears marks the start of the NFL's preseason schedule. Even though the outcome of this exhibition contest won't count toward regular season standings, it's sure to capture the attention of eager football enthusiasts.
How to Watch NFL Games for Free, Even Out-of-Market
For those looking to catch the action without a cable subscription, the simplest solution is to use a good HD antenna. Since the Hall of Fame game will be broadcast on ABC, this approach should provide a reliable, high-quality viewing experience. Be sure to test the antenna in different locations in your home to get the best signal.
Streaming Options for Cord-Cutters
If you prefer to stream NFL games, there are a few options available, though not all of them will work for this Thursday's game:
Peacock: NBC's streaming service offers access to several games, including all upcoming Sunday night matchups. A seven-day free trial is available, followed by a $8 or $14 monthly charge (the free Peacock version does not include live sports).
Disney+ Bundle: The Disney+ bundle with Hulu and ESPN+ no longer provides a free trial, costing $15 per month (or $25 per month for the ad-free Hulu plan).
Hulu with Live TV: This service no longer offers a free trial, and now costs $77 per month.
So whether you choose to watch on a traditional antenna or explore streaming alternatives, there are plenty of ways for NFL fans to get their preseason fix this week and beyond.
As the NFL preseason gets underway, cord-cutting fans have a number of streaming services to consider for watching the games. Let's take a closer look at the options and their associated costs:
YouTubeTV: After a free trial period, this service will run you $73 per month.
Sling TV: Dish Network's Sling TV offers two main plans - the "Orange" plan at $40/month or the more comprehensive "Blue" plan at $55/month. Unfortunately, the seven-day free trial is no longer available.
DirecTV Stream: Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow, and AT&T TV, this service will cost you $80 per month and up after the free trial. The package that includes the NFL Network will be $99 per month.
Fubo TV: This sports-focused streaming service provides a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $80 and up, depending on the channel package.
Amazon Prime Video: While Amazon has the exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football, this year's preseason games and the Week 1 regular season matchup will not air on the platform. The first game on Amazon will be the Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins on September 12.
NFL Viewing Packages:
- NFL App: Allows streaming of local market games on Sundays.
- NFL+: Offers live local and out-of-market games, plus replays, for $50 per season ($100 for the premium version).
- NFL Sunday Ticket: Now available through YouTube, with prices starting at $73 per month for the Sunday Ticket and YouTubeTV bundle, or $449 for just the Sunday Ticket package.
New Kickoff Rule Changes:
The NFL is experimenting with a rule change for kickoffs this season. All members of the kicking and receiving teams (except the kicker and returners) will be required to stay within a 10-yard zone down the field. This aims to make kickoffs more exciting, though it may take some time to work out the kinks.
With so many streaming options and rule changes, NFL fans have plenty to consider as they prepare to follow their favorite teams this season.