The only thing more unpredictable than preseason football is how fans react when a star rookie sits out. Last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels, won’t play. However, you can bet all eyes will still be glued to Friday night when the Washington Commanders head to Gillette Stadium for the opener against the New England Patriots.
On one side, Patriots supporters are buzzing about how the Mike Vrabel era kicks off. On the other hand, the Commanders are eager to see which of their young guys step up when the lights come on. Whether you care about lineup battles or want to see fresh faces in action, the drama is real before the opening whistle.
How Can Fans Watch the Washington Commanders vs. New England Patriots Preseason Opener?
The Patriots welcome the Commanders to Gillette Stadium this Friday to kick off the preseason. Fans hoping for the first taste of Patriots football under Mike Vrabel can mark their calendars for August 8, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Start time: Friday, August 8, 2025, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: Local
- Live stream options: NFL+, DirecTV Stream, FuboTV
Drake Maye to Boutte back shoulder TD.
Gorgeous.
🎥: @RotoStreetWolf
— Savage (@SavageSports_) August 6, 2025
- Radio stations: 98.5 The Sports Hub, SiriusXM App: 821 (NE), 831 (WAS) | SiriusXM: 226 (NE), 382 (WAS)
- Starting QBs: Sam Hartman, Drake Maye
What Local Channels Are Showing the Commanders vs. Patriots Preseason Game?
New England fans won’t find this one on NFL Network. The Patriots’ preseason opener goes out locally on the Patriots Preseason Television Network, broadcasting on WBZ-TV CBS. The game will be available live on WUSA (CBS/9-Washington) for Commanders fans tuning in from Washington.
What Streaming and Trial Options Let You Watch the Preseason Opener?
If cable isn’t your thing, streaming has you covered. If you want to catch the Patriots and Commanders online for Week 1, there are a few places to turn.
NFL+
NFL+ is a solid choice for watching live preseason games. It lets you stream with or without NFL Network. Their standard package costs $6.99 per month or $49.99 a season. Anyone committing for the year can snag a 20% discount, dropping the full price to $39.99.
For those who want more, there’s NFL+ Premium for $14.99 per month, $99.99 for the season, or $79.99 with the annual discount. That premium option scores you NFL RedZone, NFL Pro, full game replays (including condensed games and the all-22 coaches’ film).
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV’s Choice+ Sports Pack includes NFL Network, ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, and many college channels. The first month costs $54.99, and every package–including the ULTIMATE package — includes a five-day free trial. So, new users can catch some games without paying right away.
FuboTV
FuboTV is another pay-to-stream service. Its first month costs $84.99, and it offers a free trial. It also offers channels like ESPN, NFL Network, Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, and over 100 others.
Hulu + Live TV
If Hulu is your go-to, their Live TV package starts at $82.99 monthly, and first-timers get a free three-day trial. Fans will find NFL Network and the top sports channels, from CBS and FOX to ESPN, FS1, and NBCSN. Learn more about Hulu’s sports offerings here.
