The curtain comes down on the NFL preseason this Thursday night, with the New England Patriots and New York Giants squaring off to open the final slate of exhibition games.

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In Foxborough, the Mike Vrabel era has kicked off with plenty of optimism. The franchise legend has returned to take the reins, tasked with restoring the Patriots to their former glory. Across the league, most head coaches have been giving their starters at least a quarter of action, with even stars like Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow seeing snaps. 

That trend suggests we'll likely get another look at rookie quarterback Drake Maye under center for New England. The Patriots enter this one riding high, having thumped the Commanders by 30 and followed it up with an eight-point victory over the Vikings.

Over in East Rutherford, the Giants face a much thornier dilemma. Head coach Brian Daboll has yet to fully settle the quarterback situation. On one hand, veteran Russell Wilson remains the frontrunner, boasting the kind of résumé no one else in the room can match. 

On the other, New York just invested a first-round pick in Jaxson Dart, and history shows fans don't usually have much patience when it comes to waiting on a highly drafted quarterback. The big question now: will Daboll ride with Wilson’s experience, or bow to the mounting calls to hand the keys to the rookie?

Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch New York Giants vs New England Patriots.

The Giants will square off against the Patriots in a highly anticipated NFL game onThursday, August 21, 2025 at 8:00 pm ET or 5:00 pm PT, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States.

TV channel: WCVB (Channel 5)

Streaming service: Amazon Prime Video,Fubo

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The game will be available to watch live exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in the US. The broadcast will also  be carried on local affiliates, which also limits live streaming to those regional markets. Fans in those areas can still catch the action online through Fubo (in-market only).

Watching NFL action this season just got easier, and more versatile, with a mix of traditional TV broadcasts and exclusive streaming options. When it comes to convenience and coverage, Fubo stands out as one of the most user-friendly ways to catch nearly every down and touchdown.

With access to nearly 200 channels, Fubo lets fans tune in to all the key networks that carry NFL games, including CBS, NBC for Sunday Night Football, Fox for Sunday NFC clashes, ABC, ESPN for Monday Night Football, and the NFL Network. That means you’re covered for almost every regular season and playoff matchup. Want even more action? You can tack on NFL RedZone for an extra $11/month and stay locked into every scoring drive from around the league on Sundays.

While Amazon Prime Video remains the exclusive home for Thursday Night Football in 2025, fans in local team markets can still stream those primetime matchups through Fubo, making it a flexible all-in-one option. And it's not just football — Fubo is loaded with sports content. From MLB, NBA, and NHL games to MLS and international soccer, there's something for every fan year-round.

READ MORE: Fubo Review: Pricing, plans, subscriptions, free trials and more

Overview of VPN services that allow access to geo-restricted streams

How to set up and use a VPN service to stream the match

Unable to watch this game due to broadcast restrictions? A VPN could be the answer to your problems.

You can watch the game from wherever you are in the world by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service such as Nord VPN. A VPN will allow you to create a secure connection online when you are abroad on holiday or for work and you want to stream the game live. You can even try NordVPN risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

If you are not sure which VPN to use or how to use a VPN, we have taken a look at the best options available out there for watching live sports - check out the best VPN services review here.

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For the Giants, all signs point to Russell Wilson beginning the year as the starter, and we should get another brief glimpse of him after a seven-pass outing last week where he connected on four throws for 108 yards. The real buzz, however, surrounds rookie Jaxson Dart. The first-rounder lit up the Jets with a 14-for-16 performance, throwing for 137 yards and a touchdown while also adding a rushing score. Behind them, Jameis Winston provides veteran insurance, and Tommy DeVito remains on the depth chart — meaning all four quarterbacks could see the field on Thursday.

On the ground, Tyrone Tracy Jr. continues to impress as the projected RB1, picking up 39 yards on seven carries against New York last week. Out wide, the Giants may err on the side of caution with their brightest young star, Malik Nabers, who is questionable and could be rested to preserve him for the regular-season opener.

Drake Maye has already logged time in both preseason contests, most recently completing 4 of 7 passes for 46 yards in the win over Minnesota. Expect a similar workload on Thursday — a series or two before giving way to backup Joshua Dobbs, the well-traveled veteran who has carved out a career bouncing from team to team. Closing duties will likely fall to Ben Woolridge, who has been operating as the third-string option.

The Patriots’ backfield should feature a rotation once again. Antonio Gibson saw carries last week, while rookie TreVeyon Henderson, the highly touted runner out of Ohio State, continues to push for touches. At wide receiver, Mack Hollins hauled in three passes against the Vikings, but the breakout story so far has been Efton Chism III. The 5-foot-10 wideout from Eastern Washington is making a serious case for a roster spot with 12 catches, 121 yards, and two scores already this preseason.