Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald
West Coast teams collide as Sean McVay leads the Los Angeles Rams, one of the NFC favorites to reach the Super Bowl, into the Black Hole to take on Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders in the second of back-to-back Monday night games to wrap up Week 1 of the 2018 regular season.
The game is scheduled to start at 10:20 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. If 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:
In addition to a Netflix-like on-demand streaming library, Hulu also offers a bundle of 50-plus live TV channels, including all the ESPN channels. 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).
ESPN and ESPN 2 are both included in the “Sling Orange” 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.
ESPN Platforms
Additionally, you can also watch a live stream of the game on your computer via ESPN.com, or on your tablet or streaming device via the ESPN 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 Hulu or Sling TV credentials to sign in and watch on the ESPN 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.
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
Coming off an 11-5 campaign and NFC West division championship, third-year quarterback Jared Goff and the Rams have bigger aspirations this season. Goff will look to fellow 2016 draft class member Carson Wentz and the rest of the Philadelphia Eagles as inspiration for this season.
It all starts with their defense.
All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald held out for a majority of the summer, but right as the clock struck September, general manager Les Snead caved and worked on a contract extension for Donald. Donald signed for six years, $135 million with $87 million guaranteed. Donald leads a talented crop of defenders, which now includes Ndamukong Suh (free agent signing), and cornerbacks Marcus Peters (trade with the Kansas City Chiefs) and Aqib Talib (trade with the Denver Broncos).
In addition to Donald, Todd Gurley signed a four-year, $60 million extension in July. Gurley leads a skill-position group loaded with talent, including Brandin Cooks, who the Rams also acquired in a trade, and Robert Woods.
After 10 years away from the sideline, Gruden is back on the sideline. Chucky is back in his old stomping ground as he leads the Raiders, who have a slightly different feel than last season.
Oakland traded away Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears for two first-round draft picks. The Bears proceeded to sign Mack to a six-year, $141 million contract, eclipsing the deal Donald signed says earlier, now making Mack the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
On offense, Michael Crabtree is out (signed with the Baltimore Ravens), and veteran Jordy Nelson is in. Marshawn Lynch was limited in practice with a groin injury this week, but still expects to open the night and get a bulk of the carries against Los Angeles.
Derek Carr will have his hands full, but is ready to lead the way. After a back injury limited him in 2017, the 26-year old is ready to work with Gruden and get Oakland back to where it was in 2016.