The Giants, by contrast, dwelled in the NFC East cellar, finishing with a 5-11 record. The obvious story is whether rookie quarterback Daniel Jones will challenge the old man, and finally retire Eli Manning. Can he continue to build off his excellent first preseason game?
This matchup is a defensive-minded team looking for a deep playoff run vs. a historic franchise without an identity. Here’s everything you need to know to find the Bears vs. Giants live stream.
Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants
- When: Friday, Aug. 16 at 7:30pm ET
- Where: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
- Streaming: NFL Network (free trials with various streaming services)
How to watch the Bears vs. Giants online
The Bears vs. Giants game continues the NFL Network’s run of nationally televising the first week of the preseason, but even if you’ve cut the cable cord or you want to watch it on your mobile device, there are plenty of ways to accomplish that. But first, you’ll need to get acquainted with NFL Network.
What is NFL Network?
If you want to be immersed in pro football, NFL Network is the place to go. There’s plenty to love about NFL Network, including the ability to watch exclusive shows like Good Morning Football, NFL Total Access, A Football Life, Inside the NFL, and most importantly, Sunday’s NFL GameDay once the regular season begins. There’s also daily programming devoted to power rankings and fantasy football that football lovers will geek out over. NFL Network shows most Thursday night games during the regular season, and it’ll exclusively show some of the international games in 2019. Take note, though: NFL Network can no longer be seen via DirecTV Now.
The bottom line: If you want to get closer to the action and catch (almost) every Thursday Night Football game, you need NFL Network.
Bears vs. Giants live stream: How to watch NFL Network
1) Sling TV
Sling TV
- Cost: $25-$40 per month (40% off first month)
- Sling TV devices: Amazon Fire TVs, Android Fire Stick, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One,Google Chromecast, Oculus Go, and iOS and Android devices
- Sling TV local channels: NBC, Fox (check yourlocal availability here)
If you want to watch the Bears vs. Giants online via Sling TV, you’ll need to be subscribed to either Sling Blue ($25 per month) or Sling Orange + Blue ($40 per month). Both of those packages include NFL Network and a number of sports channels—like three ESPN channels, NBCSN, and FS1—and it’s still a nice perk that Sling subscribers can order a la carte packages. Sling TV also offers a special Latino package for bilingual viewers. Sling TV is currently offering a deal where you can subscribe for 40% off the regular price for the first month of your subscription. That means Sling Blue would cost $15, and Sling Orange + Blue would cost $25. (Here’s a complete guide to Sling TV channels and our Sling TV review.)
2) FuboTV
- Cost: $54.99 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- FuboTV devices: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV, iOS and Android devices
- FuboTV local channels: Fox, NBC, CBS (checklocal availability here)
If you’re a big-time sports fan, FuboTV is your best streaming service option. If you love international soccer and you’re a Spanish speaker, FuboTV also offers various add-on packages, including Fubo Latino and Fubo Português. FuboTV’s basic plan showcases nearly 100 channels and includes NFL Network. At $54.99 per month, you’ll also get FS1, FS2, NBCSN, NBA TV, Big Ten Network, Pac 12 Network, BeIn Sports, and CBS Sports Network, along with premium channels like FX/FXX/FXM. The only notable omission for sports fans is ESPN. You can add Fubo’s Sports Plus package for an additional $8.99 per month, which allows you to stream NFL RedZone, (Here’s the complete FuboTV channels list.)
3) PlayStation Vue
- Cost: $44.99-$79.99 per month (after a 5-day free trial)
- PlayStation Vue devices: PlayStation 3 and 4, Roku, Amazon Fire, Google Chromecast, Kodi, iOS and Android devices
- PlayStation Vue local channels: NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
If you’d like to watch live NFL games directly from your PS4, PlayStation Vue is your best bet. PlayStation also works with streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire products, but what separates PlayStation from the rest of the streaming services is that it’s also compatible with Kodi. No matter how you stream, you’ll get to choose from four tiers of channels—all but the cheapest include NFL Network. From there, you can also add NFL RedZone as part of the $10-per-month Sports Pack, which also unlocks ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN Classic, Longhorn Network, Outside TV, and NBCUniversal regional sports networks. You can see the full list of PlayStation Vue channels here. Two other great perks: You can stream on up to five devices at once, and there’s also unlimited cloud DVR.
Other ways to watch NFL Network online
1) The NFL app
Cost: Depends on provider
Devices: Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, PS4, Roku, Android RV, iOS and Android devices
If you subscribe to NFL Network through a cable provider—or you know someone who does and they owe you a relatively large favor—you can also watch via the official NFL app. All you have to do is download it from your streaming device of choice—Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, PS4, Roku, or Android TV—and then enter in your cable credentials when prompted. You can also stream on any iOS or Android device, or on your desktop. Just visit nfl.com/watch.
Bears vs. Giants: Why it matters
The Bears’ quandary remains centered around the continued development of third-year starter Mitchell Trubisky, who stepped up as a low-risk/medium-reward talent who could manage a game plan with shorter throws. The North Carolina Tar Heel alum added value in producing over 400 yards and three scores on the ground, and surprising clutch play. The reality, though, is that Chicago’s league-leading scoring defense, at 17.7 points per game allowed, enabled the 24-year-old to routinely play on shorter fields. (Adding premier defenders Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith probably had a smidge to do with that.)
From game to game in 2018, Trubisky’s projection varied as much as any quarterback in recent history. In some games, he was one of the best young players in football. In others, he looked like he should transition to receiver. He’s reportedly had a decent, if not great, camp—playing up and down on deeper chances, he’s going to be expected to convert during the regular season. That said, expect backups Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray to get the vast majority of the snaps.
Until heads or tails is made about rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, the New York Giants will remain in flux. Two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning is being given the longest leash possible for an awful player, in order to help Jones’ progression—which the Giants would like to accelerate as much as possible. Simply put, if Jones isn’t one to guide their team, they risk wasting the front end years of running back Saquon Barkley. Jabrill Peppers, who was traded to New York from the Browns as part of the Odell Beckham Jr. trade, is the evident starter at safety. He replaces a Pro Bowl thumper in Landon Collins, now with Washington, so eyes will be on him to replace his predecessor’s production.
As a low-key item to check for, TJ Jones has suddenly become critical to the Giants’ evolving plans at receiver. With Golden Tate suspended for the first four games, and Corey Coleman out with a torn ACL, he will get all the touches he can handle, to take pressure off of Sterling Shepard and tight end Evan Engram.
For a year-round sports fix, sign up here to receive our weekly boxing newsletter. You’ll hear about all the biggest fights and best knockouts from the Daily Dot’s streaming sports guru Josh Katzowitz.
The Daily Dot may receive a payment in connection with purchases of products or services featured in this article. Click here to learn more.