Getty
The Minnesota Vikings are popular preseason NFC favorites, and they head to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans to wrap up the preseason on Thursday night.
The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET. If you don’t have cable or can’t get to a TV, here’s a rundown of all your live stream options, which vary depending on if the game is televised in your market or not:
If The Game is Televised in Your Market
First, check to see what local channel the game is on in your area–it will be either ABC, CBS, CW, Fox or NBC. Then, if you sign up for one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services, you’ll be able to watch a live stream of your desired channel.
For example, for fans in Minneapolis, where the game is broadcast on Fox, either Hulu with Live TV or FuboTV will work for your live streaming needs. But if you’re in Duluth, only Hulu with Live TV will get you the game.
Here’s a rundown of all the streaming services, what they include, and how to sign up and watch (note that local channels are available live in select markets):
Local channels included: ABC, CBS, CW, Fox, NBC
In addition to its massive Netflix-like library of on-demand movies and TV shows, Hulu also offers a bundle of 50-plus live TV channels, which includes ABC, CBS, CW, Fox and NBC. You can sign up for “Hulu with Live TV” right here, and you can then watch a live stream of any of those channels on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch the game live, “Hulu with Live TV” also comes with 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of DVR space and the ability to fast forward through commercials).
Local channels included: CBS, CW, Fox, NBC
A streaming service that is largely tailored towards sports fans, FuboTV includes CBS, CW, Fox and NBC. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial right here, and you can then watch a live stream of those channels on your computer via the FuboTV website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the FuboTV app.
If you can’t watch the game live, FuboTV also comes with 30 hours of Cloud DVR (with the ability to upgrade to 500 hours), as well as a “72-Hour Lookback” feature, which allows you to watch games and shows up to three days after they air even if you forgot to record them. The main FuboTV channel package also comes with NFL Network, which will air a replay of every preseason game.
Local channels included: CBS
If you have Amazon Prime or want to start a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime, you can watch all CBS content (both live and on-demand) via the CBS Amazon Channel, which also comes with a 7-day free trial.
Once you’re signed up for both Amazon Prime and the CBS channel, you can then watch a live stream of your local CBS channel on your computer via the Amazon website, or you can watch on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Amazon Video app.
Local channels included: Fox, NBC
Fox and NBC are both included in the “Sling Blue” channel package. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial, and you can then watch a live stream of either channel on your computer via the Sling website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Sling TV app.
If you can’t watch live, you can get 50 hours of cloud DVR storage as an additional add-on. “Sling Blue” also comes with the NFL Network, which will air a replay of every preseason game, so you can also watch that way if you miss it live.
If The Game is Not Televised in Your Market
You can watch every out-of-market preseason NFL game online via NFL Game Pass, which costs $99.99 for the season (or four installments of $29.99). Once signed up, you can watch games on your computer via the Game Pass website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the NFL app.
Preview
Right now the biggest priority for the Vikings is the status of No. 1 wide receiver Adam Thielen.
Thielen, who had a breakout 2017 campaign, injured his left leg during practice on Tuesday and limped off the field. Despite hobbling off, Thielen seems “good” and doesn’t seem to be in jeopardy as Minnesota prepares to open the regular season at home against the San Francisco 49ers. He is expected to practice ahead of Week 1.
Thielen is “good” after leaving practice today. No cause for long-term concern with his left leg, according to a league source.
Minnesota boosted its offensive line this week after acquiring center Brett Jones from the New York Giants in exchange for a 2019 draft pick. Jones provides insurance for the Vikings if expected starter Pat Elflein, who is currently out with ankle and shoulder injuries, isn’t ready for Week 1. Jones can slot in at center or slide to guard – he has started two games at left guard in his career – depending on the health of the rest of the unit.
With Rishard Matthews back in the fold, the Titans’ receiving core seems solidified for Week 1 on the road against the Miami Dolphins.
That includes tight end Delanie Walker, who despite not practicing since August 16 because of a minor toe injury, expects to play against Miami.
Tennessee’s defense, however, may be undermanned.
Defensive end Derrick Morgan is questionable against the Dolphins with a knee injury, Morgan, who led the team with 7.5 sacks last season, and compiled 32 tackles, is the team’s best pass rusher from the outside. The Titans would defer to All-Pro Jurrell Casey and 2018 second-round draft pick Harold Landry to step in and take the burden off the rest of the defense.