Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell
The new-look Cleveland Browns look to stun the Le’Veon Bell-less Pittsburgh Steelers in a clash of AFC North rivals as the 2018 NFL regular season kicks into high gear on Sunday afternoon.
The game is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on CBS 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:
If you have Amazon Prime or 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 the game on your computer via the Amazon website, or you can watch on your tablet or streaming device via the Amazon Video app.
This service is available live in all 32 NFL markets.
In addition to their extensive Netflix-like streaming library, Hulu now also offers a bundle of 50-plus live TV channels, including CBS (live in 29 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).
CBS (live in 28 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.
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
For Bell, it marks the second consecutive season that his holdout went wire to wire up until the start of September. This time, however, Bell is sticking to his guns. He has missed practice and important team meetings, and doesn’t look like he’ll factor in the Steelers’ Week 1 gameplan.
Bell’s primary backup, James Conner, is going to be a popular start in fantasy this week. Conner saw the majority of reps – mostly first team – all throughout the preseason, and the second-year pro looked noticeably better this summer than he did as a rookie. In the Steelers’ third preseason game, caught all six of his targets for 52 yards, showing promise in the passing game which makes Bell so lethal.
Cleveland is attempting to make amends with its devoted, crazy fan base following a winless, lethargic 2017 season.
After finishing 0-16, the Browns retained head coach Hue Jackson, who despite positive reviews once he first took the job, has just one win in the past two seasons.
The Browns took significant strides to improve both sides of the ball, though.
Cleveland used the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft on Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, who had a promising preseason. Cleveland also acquired former Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry for a fifth-round draft pick in ]this month], and former Bills starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor for a third-round draft pick in [this month] to provide a veteran stopgap until Mayfield takes over.
In March, the Browns traded 2017 second-round pick quarterback DeShone Kizer to the Green Bay Packers for oft-injured, yet talented cornerback Damarious Randall. Randall was moved to safety in the offseason, and expects to start in Week 1, immediately upgrading the overall talent in Cleveland’s secondary. The Browns also used the No. 4 pick in May on Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward, bypassing NC State pass rusher Bradley Chubb. Ward is set to start opposite E.J. Gaines and be the Browns’ No. 1 cornerback almost immediately.
Not having Bell makes the Browns a sneaky-good upset special against the Steelers in Week 1.