Panthers teammates Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey
After missing the playoffs last season, the Carolina Panthers look to get back to the postseason as they host the new-look Dallas Cowboys to open the 2018 regular season on Sunday.
The game is scheduled to start at 4:25 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Fox in select areas (coverage map here). If the game is on in your market and you don’t have cable or can’t get to a TV, you can still watch a live stream of the game (or DVR it) on your computer, phone or streaming device by signing up for one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services:
Fox (live in all 32 NFL markets) is included in FuboTV’s main package, which includes 85 total channels and is largely tailored towards sports fans. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the FuboTV website, or on your tablet or streaming device via the FuboTV app.
If you can’t watch live, FuboTV comes with 30 hours of Cloud DVR (with the ability to upgrade to 500 hours), as well as a handy “72-Hour Lookback” feature, which will allow you to watch the game on-demand up to three days after it airs even if you forgot to record it.
In addition to their extensive Netflix-like streaming library, Hulu now also offers a bundle of 50-plus live TV channels, including Fox (live in all 32 NFL markets). You can sign up for “Hulu with Live TV” right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your tablet or streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch 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).
Fox (live in 17 NFL markets) is 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 the game on your computer via the Sling TV website, or on your 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.
Fox Sports Go
Additionally, you can watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the Fox Sports Go website, or on your tablet or streaming device via the Fox Sports Go app. You’ll need to log in to a cable provider to watch this way, but if you don’t have that, you can still sign up for one of the above options and then use your FuboTV, Hulu or Sling TV credentials to sign in and watch on the Fox digital platforms.
Watch on Your Phone: NFL Mobile
Streaming of in-market and prime-time games can be watched on phones via the NFL Mobile app.
If the Game is Out of Your Market
SundayTicket.TV allows you to watch a live stream of games that are out of your market and aren’t nationally televised. The service is available for people who live in residences that can’t get satellite (apartments, condos, etc.), as well as residents of San Francisco, Philadelphia and New York City. You can check here to see if you’re eligible.
Additionally, most college students may watch out-of-market games via SundayTicket U.
Once signed up, you can watch games on your computer via the NFL Sunday Ticket website, or you can watch on your phone, tablet or other streaming device via the NFL Sunday Ticket app, which is free to download on many different devices.
Watch On-Demand: NFL Game Pass
If you’re fine watching games on-demand, another option is NFL Game Pass Domestic, which allows you to watch replays of every NFL game for a fee of $99.99 for the season. No live games are available under this service, but you’ll be able to watch them following the conclusion of games for the day.
Once signed up, you can watch games on-demand on your computer via the NFL Game Pass website, or on your tablet or streaming device via the NFL Mobile app, which can be downloaded for free on a handful of different devices.
If You’re Outside the United States & Mexico
If you’re not in the United States, surrounding territories, or Mexico, you can watch NFL games live via NFL Game Pass International. The cost of the package depends on which country you’re in.
Once signed up, you can watch games on your computer via the NFL Game Pass website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the NFL Mobile app, which can be downloaded for free on a handful of different devices.
Preview
The Panthers’ offensive line, which has surprisingly been a weak spot in recent seasons, will be undermanned in Week 1, as left tackle Matt Kalil was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury this week. In addition to not having Kalil, right tackle Daryl Williams and left guard Amini Silatolu are questionable for Sunday with knee issues as well.
Defenses can expect a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey this season, who will be the focal point of the Panthers’ offense in his second year. Carolina used a first-round draft pick on wide receiver DJ Moore this year, who will take pressure off veteran tight end Greg Olsen and emerging threat Devin Funchess. Following the loss of Kelvin Benjamin in a trade to the Buffalo Bills before last season’s trade deadline, Carolina has adequately replaced his big-body preence, and very well may have upgraded overall on the outside moving forward.
The Cowboys’ offense doesn’t have the luxury of talented toys on offense. Quarterback Dak Prescott has his hands full this season, as this is the first season he will truly be relied on to take the reins on offense.
Dez Bryant and Jason Witten are no longer Cowboys, and the organization still needs to adjust. In addition to holdover Terrance Williams, free agent acquisition Allen Hurns, 2018 first-round pick Michael Gallup and tight end Geoff Swaim will need to pick up the slack for Prescott.
In addition to their losses, All-Pro center Travis Frederick was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which will make him a week-to-week decision. Entering Week 1, there were some serious doubts if right guard Zack Martin (knee) and right tackle La’el Collins (ankle, calf) would play against the Panthers. While Martin is not on the injury report, Collins missed practice Friday, and is looking more likely he will miss Dallas’ season opener.