The Kansas City Chiefs begin their quest to become the first Super Bowl threepeat winners on Thursday as the 2024-25 NFL season officially begins. And Game 1 will be a banger, as the Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens, who they last faced in the conference championship game in January.

Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson are hoping to get their teams off to a hot start this season, but they have some inexperienced rookie talent on the field.

The 2024 season will begin somewhat of a rolling affair, with a single game on Thursday, one on Friday and the rest on the league’s traditional Sunday schedule. That’s plenty of time for fans suffering from a bit of football withdrawal to sink into their couches or favorite beer stools.

This is the best way to follow the match.

Which NFL teams are playing on Thursday? And what channel will the games be broadcast on?

There’s only one game tonight. (The home team is in second place.)

Thursday September 5th

Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC

How can I watch the NFL season opener for free even if I don’t live in my area?

The best way to watch a network show for free on the big screen is with a good HD antenna. And since the kickoff game is on NBC, watching is pretty easy. To make sure you get the most reliable signal, you should test the antenna in multiple locations around your home.

Can I stream the 2024 NFL Kickoff Game live online if I don’t have a cable subscription?

Yes, you can, and there are several options:

Peacock

NBC’s streaming service gives you access to a variety of games, including tonight’s, tomorrow’s and all of Sunday night’s upcoming games. You can get a free seven-day trial, followed by a monthly fee of $8 or $14. (The free version of Peacock does not include live sports.)

Disney+

The free trial for Disney’s bundle of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ is no longer available. You’ll be charged $17/month for all three bundles (or $30/month if you don’t see ads on Hulu).

If you include Live TV in the bundle, the price increases to $77 per month ($90 without ads).

Hulu with live TV

The free trial of this service lasts for three days. After that, it will cost you $77 per month.

YouTube TV

After a free trial, you can expect to pay a monthly fee of $73.

Sling TV

Dish Network’s Sling lower-end “Orange” plan will cost you $40 per month. Add the higher-end “Blue” plan and the cost increases to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial is unfortunately gone.

DirecTV stream

Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this streaming service will cost you $80 a month, up after a free trial. (The NFL Network package will cost you $99 a month.)

Fubo TV

This sports-focused cord-cutting service offers broadcast networks in most markets. There’s a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly fees of $80 and up, depending on the channels you choose.

Can I watch NFL games on Amazon?

Amazon will once again be the usual home of Thursday Night Football, but not this week. The streaming service will also not air games on Thanksgiving, just like last year, but will air them on Black Friday. The first game on Amazon this year is the Buffalo Bills taking on the Miami Dolphins on September 12.

Does the NFL offer viewing packages to watch the games I want?

Three, to be exact.

NFL app

The NFL app lets you stream games that are broadcast locally in your market on Sundays. If you want to watch an “out of market” game, you have two choices.

NFL+

Watch live local and out of market games and (with the premium subscription) replays. You’re looking at $50 per season. ($100 for premium.)

NFL Sunday Ticket

YouTube is once again the home base for this channel. Prices start this year at $73 per month for Sunday Ticket and YouTubeTV or $449 for Sunday Ticket alone (for all out-of-market games this season).

Will the new kick-off rule be in effect during the regular season?

That will do it.

The NFL is trying a year-long experiment this season, placing all members of the kicking and receiving teams (except the kicker and returners) within a 10-yard box on the field. Only the kicker and two returners are allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.

Kicks that reach the end zone in the air can be returned or taken as a touchback and possession of the ball is on the 30. If a ball touches the ground (or a player) before the end zone and ends up in the end zone, the touchback will be on the 20. The kick can still be returned.

Onside kicks can no longer be a surprise, as the chasing team will have to announce plans to attempt one – and in the fourth quarter, no less.