The Buffalo Bills take on the Chicago Bears in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL Preseason, offering fans a chance to see backups and rookies compete for roster spots. The game, held at Soldier Field in Chicago, gains extra attention as the Bills are featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks in 2025. Here’s everything you need to know to watch or listen to the matchup.
TV Viewing Options
The game will air nationally on FOX as a primetime broadcast. For fans in Western New York and surrounding areas, local affiliates include:
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Buffalo, NY: WIVB (CBS affiliate)
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Rochester, NY: WROC
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Syracuse, NY: WSYR
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Binghamton, NY: WBGH
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Utica, NY: WPNY
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Elmira, NY: WETM
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Watertown, NY: WWTI
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Albany, NY: WXXA
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Erie, PA: WJET
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Burlington, VT: WFFF
The broadcast team features Adam Amin (play-by-play), Jim Miller (color analyst), and Lou Canellis (sideline reporter for FOX 32 Chicago). Check local listings to confirm your area’s channel.
Game Date and Time
The game is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 17, 2025 (8:00 a.m. Monday, August 18, 2025, in Vietnam, +07).
Streaming Options
Fans can stream the game through several platforms:
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Fubo: Includes FOX and local affiliates, with a free trial (1-7 days depending on signup). Starts at $85/month post-trial.
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YouTube TV: Carries FOX, offering a free trial (2 days to 2 weeks). Costs $83/month after trial.
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NFL+: Streams out-of-market and nationally televised preseason games, starting at $7/month, available on mobile and tablet devices.
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FOX Local: Available only in the Chicagoland area on fox32chicago.com and the FOX Local app.
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Bills Mobile App: Live streaming for fans in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Erie, PA, presented by M&T Bank.
International or out-of-market viewers can use a VPN (e.g., NordVPN at $3.59/month) with Fubo or YouTube TV to bypass geographic restrictions.
Radio Options
Tune in via the Bills Radio Network:
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Buffalo: WGR 550 AM
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Rochester: WCMF 96.5 AM, WROC 950 AM
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Syracuse: WTKW 99.5 FM, WTKV 105.5 FM Broadcast team: John Murphy (play-by-play), Eric Wood (color analyst), and Sal Capaccio (sideline reporter).
In Chicago, listen on ESPN 1000 with Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer. Nationally, Westwood One may broadcast, depending on the region.
Key Notes
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Players to Watch: For the Bills, keep an eye on WR Tyrell Shavers, DT Deone Walker, and RB James Cook (if he plays). For the Bears, RB Ian Wheeler, TE Colston Loveland, LB Ruben Hyppolite II, and CB Terell Smith are ones to watch. Starters like Josh Allen and Caleb Williams may sit out, as both teams held joint practices focusing on roster battles.
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Blackouts: Some areas, especially Chicago, may face restrictions on FOX Local. Verify access with streaming services or a VPN.
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Hard Knocks: The game is filmed for Hard Knocks, offering behind-the-scenes insights into the Bills, adding to its appeal.
Catch all the action from Soldier Field via TV, streaming, or radio!
