The 2025 NFL preseason officially gets underway for two New York teams as the Buffalo Bills host the New York Giants at Highmark Stadium. The Week 1 matchup is scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 2025, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET. The game presents a stark contrast in strategy for the two franchises, who are entering the season after vastly different 2024 campaigns.
The Buffalo Bills, coming off a strong 13-4 season, will be taking a cautious approach with their franchise player. Head coach Sean McDermott announced that star quarterback Josh Allen will not play in the preseason opener. Instead, Mitch Trubisky is slated to start, giving him a crucial opportunity in his competition with Mike White for the primary backup role. According to a report from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, McDermott indicated that other starters might see limited action, playing for approximately one quarter. This decision allows the coaching staff to evaluate players on the roster bubble while protecting key starters from unnecessary injury risk.
In contrast, the New York Giants, who finished the 2024 season with a 3-14 record, will be giving their fans a first look at their new signal-caller. An NFL.com news roundup confirmed that newly acquired quarterback Russell Wilson is expected to start against the Bills. This will be Wilson’s first game action with the Giants, marking the beginning of a new offensive era for the team as they look to rebound from a difficult season.
The game serves as an important evaluation tool for both teams. For the Bills, the focus will be on the backup quarterback battle and assessing the depth across their roster. For the Giants, it’s a critical first step in integrating Wilson into their system and building chemistry as they prepare for the regular season.
How to Watch and Listen
Football fans will have multiple options to catch the intrastate showdown. The game will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network.
Locally, the game will be available on several affiliate stations across New York. According to information from the Indianapolis Star and the Bills’ official website, these stations include:
- Buffalo: WIVB (CBS)
- Rochester: WROC (CBS)
- Syracuse: WSYR (ABC)
- Albany: WTEN (ABC) / WXXA (FOX)
- Utica: WPNY / WFXV / WUTR (ABC)
- Elmira: WETM (NBC)
- Watertown: WWTI (ABC)
For those who prefer to stream, the game will be available on NFL+, the league’s official streaming service, which can be accessed on phones and tablets. Other streaming options include services that carry NFL Network, such as Fubo, Sling TV, and Hulu + Live TV.
For radio listeners, the Bills’ flagship station, WGR 550, will carry the live broadcast.
Following this opening game, the Bills’ preseason schedule continues with road games against the Chicago Bears on August 17 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 23.
