Getty Desmond Ridder takes the field for the first time in preseason action on Friday, August 11.
Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder makes his preseason debut against the Detroit Lions on Friday, August 12.
The game (6 p.m. ET) will be televised locally on different channels depending on the city: Fox (WAGA-5) in Atlanta, FOX (WJBK-2) in Detroit, and either ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CW or MyTV in other local markets (full list here). It will also be televised on NFL Network for anyone out of market.
If you don’t have cable and you live in market, FuboTV and DirecTV Stream are your best options, as they have all the local channels in most markets and both come with a free trial.
If you live out of market, FuboTV and Sling TV both include NFL Network and are our recommended options.
Here’s a more complete rundown and some other ways you can watch a live stream of the Falcons vs Lions:
Heavy may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up via a link on this page
FuboTV: Watch Most Local Channels & NFL Network
You can see what local channels are available in your city here
You can watch a live stream of NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, CW, MyTV (all live in most markets), NFL Network and 100-plus other TV channels on FuboTV’s “Pro” bundle, which comes with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch the Falcons vs Lions live on the FuboTV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the FuboTV website.
Sling TV: Watch NBC, Fox & NFL Network
You can see what local channels are available in your city here
You can watch a live stream of NBC, Fox (both live in select markets), NFL Network and 40-plus other TV channels via Sling TV’s “Sling Blue” package, which you can watch for free through August 20:
Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch the Falcons vs Lions live on the Sling TV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), airTV Mini, Oculus, Portal, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Sling TV website.
DirecTV Stream: Watch Most Local Channels
You can see what local channels are available in your city here. NFL Network is not included, so this is an in-market option only
DirecTV Stream has four different channel packages: “Entertainment,” “Choice,” “Ultimate” and “Premier.” NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, CW and MyTV (all live in most markets) are included in every one, and you can pick any package and any add-on you want with your free five-day trial:
Once signed up for DirecTV Stream, you can watch the Falcons vs Lions live on the DirecTV Stream app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the DirecTV Stream website.
Amazon Prime: Watch CBS
This option is just for those who live in Augusta, Savannah, Saginaw or anywhere the game is on CBS
Amazon Prime subscribers (Prime comes with a 30-day free trial) can watch a live stream of their local CBS station via the Prime Paramount+ channel (“Premium” plan). You can try both Amazon Prime and the Paramount+ Channel at no cost with a free trial right here:
Once you’re signed up for the Prime Paramount+ Channel, you can watch the Falcons vs Lions live on the Amazon Video app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, various smart TV’s, Xiaomi, Echo Show or Echo Spot, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Amazon website.
Paramount+: Watch CBS
This option is just for those who live in Augusta, Savannah, Saginaw or anywhere the game is on CBS
This is ultimately the same as the Amazon Prime option above, only you’ll watch on Paramount’s digital platforms instead of Amazon’s. You can watch your local CBS channel live via Paramount+ (“Premium” plan), which comes with a free trial:
Once signed up for Paramount+, you can watch the Falcons vs Lions live on the Paramount+ app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Samsung Smart TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Paramount+ website.
DAZN: Watch in Canada
Viewers in Canada can watch a live stream of every NFL game (preseason, regular season, postseason), NFL Network and NFL RedZone via DAZN, which comes with a free trial:
Once signed up, viewers in Canada can watch the Falcons vs Lions live on the DAZN app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Samsung Smart TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch the game on your computer via the DAZN website.
Falcons vs Lions Preview
The Atlanta Falcons will get a good look at their quarterback of the future in rookie Desmond Ridder on Friday at Detroit.
Atlanta drafted Ridder in the third round of April’s draft. Ridder led the Cincinnati Bearcats to the College Football Playoff and threw for 3,334 yards and ran for 355 in 2021. While Ridder likely won’t beat out veteran Marcus Mariota for the starting job, Ridder’s leadership has turned heads at training camp.
“Guys kind of gravitate to him,” Falcons quarterbacks coach Charles London said via ESPN’s Michael Rothstein. “He’s a natural leader, and leadership is hard. It’s hard to judge somebody’s leadership. People can tell you he’s a leader, but most guys that are really great leaders, they lead by their own style, their own way.”
Detroit Lions starting quarterback Jared Goff has his job locked up with a solid training camp thus far, but veterans David Blough and Tim Boyle have a battle going for the backup job. Lions head coach Dan Campbell told the media that his staff is “taking it as it comes” and that preseason games weigh more in that equation.
“I think that both of them can do it,” Campbell said. “They’re both different in what they do. Blough’s a little scrappier, he’s more of, man, he’s gonna find a way. That’s what he’s about, but he can certainly run the offense. Boyle’s got all the gifts, all the traits, and then he’s just consistently doing it. Again, he’s got to do this in the preseason games. Let’s see where he’s progressed from last year.”
Quarterbacks aside, Campbell will get his first look at the Lions’ No. 2 draft pick Aidan Hutchinson in competition for the first time. The rookie defensive end from Michigan has impressed at training camp thus far.
Detroit will also see the return of 2020 No. 3 pick, cornerback Jeff Okudah, who missed much of last season with a ruptured Achilles. Okudah has only played 10 games in two seasons, but he has flashed bright moments such as an interception of Kyler Murray in 2020.
JEFF OKUDAH: FIRST NFL INT🦁👑
“Yeah, I think everything’s coming together pretty smooth,” Okudah said via Sports Illustrated’s All Lions. “This week’s felt pretty good. So, I mean, I’m my toughest critic. But, I’m not trying to be too hard on myself, not playing in 11 months and being out here after the Achilles. So, I’m happy where I’m at, but at the same time, I’m still demanding more of myself every single day to get to that next level.”
Atlanta gets to show off a promising young player on the other side of the ball in rookie tight end Feleipe Franks. The former quarterback has impressed at camp with highlight catches.