The days of flipping on the television and knowing without thinking which couple of channels carried NFL games are a distant memory.
Today, it can seem like you need a map, a guidebook, a calendar and a sherpa to lead you to the game you want on whatever platform you have or that you need to pay for. In addition, you also need Amazon Prime Video and ESPN+ subscriptions if you want access to all games.
While it’s a headache for some, and one that comes with monthly subscription fees, it’s also a positive in the sense that the proliferation of options and platforms means easier access for many. At least in theory.
Below is a guide to where to watch NFL regular-season and playoff games on the days they’re played this season.
Not on the chart is NFL+, the league’s rebranded streaming service for live local and prime-time regular-season and postseason games through the Super Bowl on mobile (phones or tablets but not connected TVs). That service requires a subscription, too.
And not to make it more complicated for the less-than-tech savvy, but in addition to traditional broadcast/cable TV distribution and standalone paid streaming, live games can be streamed via NFL, Fox, NBC, CBS and ESPN digital properties across devices (for their respective games) by logging in with a participating TV provider. The good news is that if you’re already paying your cable provider for those channels, you don’t need to pay additional fees to access their digital platforms.
Also, games can be accessed via your pay TV provider’s apps and websites including vMVPD services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV and Fubo TV.
Finally, NFL games are also available for Spanish-language fans on Fox Deportes, Telemundo Deportes, Universo, and ESPN Deportes. On radio, NFL games are via Westwood One, SiriusXM, and Entravision (Spanish).
Got all that? Me, neither, but we’re getting there. The season kicks off at 8:20 pm Thursday on NBC with the defending champion Los Angeles Rams hosting the Buffalo Bills. The full TV schedule for Week 1 is below.
NFL Week 1 TV schedule
Thursday, Sept. 8
Away team | Home team | Time (ET) | Where to watch |
---|---|---|---|
Buffalo Bills |
Los Angeles Rams |
8:20 p.m |
NBC/Peacock |
Sunday, Sept. 11
Away team | Home team | Time (ET) | Where to watch |
---|---|---|---|
New Orleans Saints |
Atlanta Falcons |
1 p.m |
Fox |
Cleveland Browns |
Carolina Panthers |
1 p.m |
CBS |
San Francisco 49ers |
Chicago Bears |
1 p.m |
Fox |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
Cincinnati Bengals |
1 p.m |
CBS |
Philadelphia Eagles |
Detroit Lions |
1 p.m |
Fox |
Indianapolis Colts |
Houston Texans |
1 p.m |
CBS |
New England Patriots |
Miami Dolphins |
1 p.m |
CBS |
Baltimore Ravens |
New York Jets |
1 p.m |
CBS |
Jacksonville Jaguars |
Washington Commanders |
1 p.m |
Fox |
New York Giants |
Tennessee Titans |
4:25 p.m |
Fox |
Kansas City Chiefs |
Arizona Cardinals |
4:25 p.m |
CBS |
Las Vegas Raiders |
Los Angeles Chargers |
4:25 p.m |
CBS |
Green Bay Packers |
Minnesota Vikings |
4:25 p.m |
Fox |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Dallas Cowboys |
8:20 p.m |
NBC/Universo |
Monday, Sept. 12
Away team | Home team | Time (ET) | Where to watch |
---|---|---|---|
Denver Broncos |
Seattle Seahawks |
8:15 p.m |
ESPN/ABC/ESPN Deportes |
(Photo: Nick Cammett / Diamond Images via Getty Images)
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