Eagles-Ravens preseason game: Start time, channel, how to watch and stream

It’s not exactly must-see TV, but that’s where the Eagles will be Saturday night to kick off their preseason schedule against the Baltimore Ravens (7 p.m., NBC10).

Count the Eagles among the teams that rarely let their offensive stars take the field before the start of the real season. The last time Jalen Hurts took a preseason snap was 2022, and even then he was on the field just one series.

On top of that, teams often use limited playbooks to avoid advance scouting and rely on joint practices to run plays and evaluate players. That might allow “talent to show,” as Green Bay Packers defender and Philly native Zaire Franklin recently told reporters, but it tends to make an already meaningless game way more boring.

“That’s just the nature of preseason these days,” said Ross Tucker, who will call Saturday’s game. “Fortunately I follow the Eagles year-round and follow their backups closely exactly for these three weeks.”

None of that will stop Eagles fans from tuning in. Last season’s first preseason game on NBC10 garnered 1.06 million viewers and aired in 669,000 households, according to Nielsen numbers shared by the station. That’s roughly 21% of the entire Philly TV market tuning in to watch a meaningless Eagles game. Not too shabby.

While there might not be much drama for Eagles fans, there’s a lot on the line for 12 players looking to land a roster spot.

As for Tucker, it’s quietly his eighth season calling Eagles preseason games, a job he landed after Mike Mayock left to join the then-Oakland Raiders in 2018. CBS also recently promoted Tucker to its No. 2 NFL booth alongside Ian Eagle while Tony Romo’s legal drama plays out, but the former offensive lineman doesn’t expect to give up his Birds job anytime soon.

“I grew up a big-time Eagles fan. Ninety-five percent of my friends and family are Eagles fans,” Tucker said. “I get a bunch of texts doing Eagles preseason games from all sorts of people, including my fourth-grade teacher. ... It’s really neat to get feedback from people.”

The Eagles’ first preseason game will air in and around Philly on NBC10, with Tucker calling the game alongside former Phillies announcer Scott Graham. But that’s not the only spot you’ll find it.

Regionally, the preseason game will air on a number of local stations, including:

Elsewhere, the game will also be available on WBAL-TV in Baltimore, WLKY in Louisville, Ky. (due to Lamar Jackson’s collegiate connection to the region), and KHII in Honolulu, Hawaii (whose parent company is airing 13 NFL preseason games).

Fans can also listen to the game on 94.1 WIP, where beloved Eagles announcer Merrill Reese is entering his 50th season calling Birds games. He’ll once again be joined by longtime partner and former Eagles wide receiver Mike Quick.

One voice who won’t be back is sideline reporter Devan Kaney, who was laid off by WIP in March. Instead of replacing her, WIP is going without a dedicated sideline reporter for the first time since 2011.

The game can also be heard nationally on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Tonight’s game will be free to stream on the Eagles app and PhiladelphiaEagles.com if you live in the Philadelphia or Baltimore TV market.

The game will also stream in the Philadelphia market on any so-called skinny bundle that carries NBC10, including YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Most offer a free trial. You can also stream it on the NBC app, but a cable login is required.

You can also watch NBC10 for free using a digital antenna if you live in and around Philadelphia.

Fans living outside the Philadelphia market can stream the game on NFL+, the league streaming service. It’ll set you back $6.99 a month, though there is a free seven-day trial.

Staff writers Jeff McLane, Olivia Reiner, Ryan Novozinsky, and Jeff Neiburg will be covering the action live on GameDay Central. Notes and observations about the game will be at Inquirer.com/Eagles. Don’t forget to subscribe to our free Sports Daily newsletter.