The NFL preseason kicks off in earnest Thursday as the Patriots host the Texans in Foxborough.
For the Patriots, the goal this season is to get back to competing in the AFC East. While the Bills are still the favorites and the Jets grab headlines, the Patriots and Bill Belichick are trying to recapture some of the glory associated with New England.
The Texans are rallying behind first-round picks C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. as they try to get out of the AFC South cellar. First-year coach DeMeco Ryans is looking to make a splash after a wildly successful tenure as 49ers defensive coordinator. He was arguably the most coveted coaching candidate last offseason, and the Texans were able to land him.
MORE: Watch select NFL preseason games live with Fubo (free trial)
It's unknown how much play the first-stringers are going to get this week, but these games are important for roster-setting. Here's how Patriots and Texans fans can watch their teams in the NFL preseason.
What channel is Patriots vs. Texans on tonight?
- Local TV channels: WBZ-TV (Boston) | ABC-13 (Houston)
- Out-of-market TV channel: NFL Network
- Live streams: Fubo, NFL+ (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada)
In-market viewers of the Patriots vs. Texans game will be able to catch the respective local broadcasts. CBS affiliate WBZ will air the game in the Boston and New England markets while ABC affiliate ABC-13 will show the contest in the Houston market.
Out-of-market viewers will be able to catch the game on NFL Network, which is the only national outlet showing games during Week 1 of the preseason. Those who do not have NFL Network as a part of their cable package will be able to stream it with Fubo, which comes with a free trial and provides access to a good portion of the NFL preseason.
Those out-of-market fans can also stream the Patriots vs. Texans game using NFL+, the league's streaming service which has replaced NFL Game Pass. NFL+ will allow streamers to access all out-of-market games and will cost either $4.99 per month or $39.99 for a yearly subscription.
Fans in Canada can stream the game via DAZN.
Patriots vs. Texans start time
- Date: Thursday, Aug. 10
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
Patriots vs. Texans will kick off at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. It will be the first Week 1 preseason game to kick off and the second to be played overall, following the Browns vs. Jets Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 3.
NFL preseason schedule 2023: Week 1
Note: Nationally televised games are listed in bold.
Thursday, Aug. 10
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Texans at Patriots | 7 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Vikings at Seahawks | 10 p.m. | NFL Network |
Friday, Aug. 11
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Falcons at Dolphins | 7 p.m. | Local |
| Packers at Bengals | 7 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Giants at Lions | 7 p.m. | Local |
| Steelers at Buccaneers | 7 p.m. | Local |
| Commanders at Browns | 7:30 p.m. | Local |
| Broncos at Cardinals | 10 p.m. | NFL Network |
Saturday, Aug. 12
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Colts at Bills | 1 p.m. | Local |
| Titans at Bears | 1 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Jets at Panthers | 4 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Jaguars at Cowboys | 5 p.m. | Local |
| Eagles at Ravens | 7 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Chargers at Rams | 9 p.m. | NFL Network |
Sunday, Aug. 13
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Chiefs at Saints | 1 p.m. | NFL Network |
| 49ers at Raiders | 4 p.m. | NFL Network |
NFL preseason schedule 2023: Week 2
Thursday, Aug. 17
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Browns at Eagles | 7:30 p.m. | Local |
Friday, Aug. 18
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Panthers at Giants | 7 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Bengals at Falcons | 7:30 p.m. | Local |
Saturday, Aug. 19
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Jaguars at Lions | 1 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Bills at Steelers | 6:30 p.m. | TBD |
| Bears at Colts | 7 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Buccaneers at Jets | 7:30 p.m. | Local |
| Chiefs at Cardinals | 8 p.m. | Local |
| Dolphins at Texans | 8 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Patriots at Packers | 8 p.m. | Local |
| Titans at Vikings | 8 p.m. | Local |
| Broncos at 49ers | 8:30 p.m. | Local |
| Raiders at Rams | 9 p.m. | Local |
| Cowboys at Seahawks | 10 p.m. | NFL Network |
Sunday, Aug. 20
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Saints at Chargers | 7:05 p.m. | NFL Network |
Monday, Aug. 21
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Ravens at Commanders | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
NFL preseason schedule 2023: Week 3
Thursday, Aug. 24
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Steelers at Falcons | 7:30 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Colts at Eagles | 8 p.m. | Amazon Prime |
Friday, Aug. 25
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Panthers at Lions | 8 p.m. | CBS |
| Patriots at Titans | 8:15 p.m. | NFL Network |
| 49ers at Chargers | 10 p.m. | NFL Network |
Saturday, Aug. 26
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Cardinals at Vikings | 1 p.m. | Local |
| Bills at Bears | 1 p.m. | Local |
| Bengals at Commanders | 1 p.m. | Local |
| Browns at Chiefs | 1 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Seahawks at Packers | 1 p.m. | Local |
| Jets at Giants | 6 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Ravens at Buccaneers | 7 p.m. | Local |
| Dolphins at Jaguars | 7 p.m. | Local |
| Raiders at Cowboys | 8 p.m. | Local |
| Rams at Broncos | 9 p.m. | NFL Network |
Sunday, Aug. 27
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
| Texans at Saints | 8 p.m. | Fox |
