How to Watch NFL Games without Cable or Satellite TV (Streaming Guide)

watch nfl games without cable

Are you wondering how to watch NFL games without cable? Tired of shelling out over $100 a month just to keep up with the action?

We’re going to let you in on a little secret.

You don’t need cable to watch NFL games.

In fact, there are easy ways that will allow you to watch the entire NFL season without cable.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for local or out-of-market games, we’re talking the entire season.

For the first time, you might get to watch more football than you did with cable, and you’ll pay less doing it.

If you’re interested, this guide will offer all you need to know about how to watch NFL online without cable. And to be clear, we’re talking about legal streaming services that let you stream NFL games on your TV, mobile devices, or computer — not sketchy, spammy websites.

By now you might be thinking that this is going to be harder than you think. That’s not true.

Five networks air all the local and national games occurring in the NFL season. You can get all those channels without cable.

In fact, several streaming services offer packages with all 5 channels included!

There’s even a streaming service that allows you to watch all out-of-market NFL games, too.

Add these two options together and you’ll get to watch the entire season, all without cable!

Whether you want to watch the full season for one team or the whole league, it’s now possible to watch live NFL games without cable thanks to several live streaming services that have come out in recent years, saving you a bundle in the process.

For the past 5+ years, we’ve extensively tested all of the different streaming services that let you watch NFL online and ranked them based on a variety of factors, including the amount of coverage they offer, cost, ease of use, device availability, and more.

Read on for our full guide to streaming NFL games in the 2022-23 season.

 

What Channels Do NFL Games Come On?

NFL TV rights are primarily held by 5 channels that air various local and national games — CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, and NFL Network. Additionally, Amazon Prime Video is now the exclusive home for Thursday Night Football games, making it another “channel” that carries games throughout the season.

Some of these channels are local channels with coverage specific to your region, while other channels are national channels offering big primetime games across the nation.

The good news is all of these channels are available without cable thanks to various live streaming services.

With these channels, you’ll be able to watch the full slate of games including Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and all the other games during the season!

Here’s a breakdown of which channels carry which games throughout the NFL season.

  • Sunday Afternoon Football – Games air all afternoon on Sundays throughout the season. You can find these games on FOX (NFC games) and CBS (AFC games). Specific games airing on these channels vary by region, as you will be able to watch whatever teams are local to you. NFL RedZone is also worth mentioning as they offer live cut-ins to Sunday afternoon games from all across the league, bouncing around the various games to show every major drive and scoring play.
  • Sunday Night Football – This nationally aired game will appear live on NBC each Sunday evening throughout the season. See our Sunday Night Football streaming guide.
  • Monday Night Football – MNF offers another national game. You’ll need ESPN to watch this one. You may also be able to catch a simulcast on ABC, but not all Monday Night Football games will air on both networks. See our Monday Night Football streaming guide.
  • Thursday Night Football – In order to watch this weekly matchup, you’re going to need Amazon Prime Video. If the teams playing are in your local area, the game will also be simulcast on one of the local channels. Simply put, if you want to watch every Thursday Night game this season, you’ll need to have an Amazon Prime subscription. See our Thursday Night Football streaming guide.
  • Christmas Eve & International Games – In order to watch these special games, you’ll need access to NFL Network. This cable network is available through many streaming services.
  • NFL Playoffs – The NFL Playoffs will begin with the Wild-Card rounds on January 14, 2023. From there, you’ll be able to watch the Divisional playoffs on January 21-22, 2023. The Conference championships will air on January 29, 2023. Depending on the specific game, you’ll need ABC/ESPN, CBS, FOX, and/or NBC to watch these games.
  • Super Bowl – Super Bowl LVI is scheduled for February 12, 2023. You’ll be able to watch the big game on FOX.

Want to find out which games are airing on TV in your area? See our NFL TV schedule.

 

The Best Streaming Services for Watching NFL Games Online without Cable

Now that you know where to watch the games this season, let’s look at the best sports streaming services to use to watch NFL games without cable.

The good news is that you have plenty of options. Not only that, but many of these services offer all the channels you’ll need to watch the games throughout the entire season!

Here are the best options for streaming NFL games for the 2022-23 season!

 

fuboTV

fuboTV NFL
  • Which NFL Channels are Included? CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network, NFL Redzone
  • Which NFL Channels are Missing? None
  • Price: Starting at $74.99/month 
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

fuboTV is a sports-centric live streaming service, offering a good collection of local, national, and regional sports networks.

While fuboTV started with mainly sports packages, it now offers a nice mix of sports, TV, news, movies, and more. There’s a little bit of something for everyone.

In terms of NFL content, you’ll get all of the channels you need to watch local and national games, including ABC, CBS, FOX,  NBC, ESPN, NFL Network, and NFL Redzone. That combination of channels will get you Sunday afternoon games in your area, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football when your local team is playing, NFL preseason games, NFL Playoff games, and the Super Bowl. The only thing you won’t get on fuboTV is the full slate of Thursday Night Football because that is now exclusive to Amazon Prime Video.

Other popular networks in the fuboTV channel lineup include AMC, Disney, FX, Paramount Network, and more, making fuboTV a solid cable replacement. Add-ons are also available.

fuboTV Highlights:

  • Packages from $69.99 per month
  • Tons of add-on options are available
  • Cloud DVR access is included
  • Content is available live and on-demand
  • Great option to watch sports online
  • 4K channels available
  • Stream on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox One Series S/X, iOS, Android, smart TVs, Mac, PC, and more.

Read our full review of fuboTV for more info on all the pros and cons of the platform.

Click here to try fuboTV free for 7 days.

 

Hulu Live

Hulu Live NFL
  • Which NFL Channels are Included? CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network, NFL Redzone
  • Which NFL Channels are Missing? None
  • Price: Starting at $76.99/month 
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Hulu Live offers a lineup that rivals most cable company lineups. All the channels you need to watch NFL games without cable are here. You’ll have access to ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, an ESPN live stream, NFL Network, and NFL Redzone.

That will let you watch Sunday afternoon games in your area, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football when your local team is playing, NFL preseason coverage, NFL Playoff games, and the Super Bowl. The only thing you won’t get on Hulu Live is the full slate of Thursday Night Football because that is now exclusive to Amazon Prime Video, but otherwise, you’ll get all the local and primetime games throughout the season.

Not only that, but a Hulu Live subscription also gives you access to ESPN+, Disney+, and the classic Hulu on-demand service, giving you a ton of content at one affordable price point.

Hulu Live Highlights:

  • Plans from $70/mo.
  • 85+ channels (see the Hulu Live channels list)
  • Unlimited cloud DVR storage
  • Local channels included in most areas
  • Great for sports or just general entertainment
  • Premium movie channels available for an added fee
  • Stream on most devices (Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4&5, Xbox,  iOS, Android, internet browsers, and more)

You can learn more in our full Hulu Live review.

Give Hulu with Live TV a shot with a free 7-day trial!

 

DIRECTV STREAM

DTV STREAM NFL
  • Which NFL Channels are Included? CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN
  • Which NFL Channels are Missing? NFL Network, NFL Redzone
  • Price: Starting at $74.99/month 
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

DIRECTV STREAM is another great cable alternative that will allow you to watch NFL online this season.

Most of the channels you need to watch NFL games without cable are here, including FOX streaming, CBS, NBC, and ESPN. However, it’s worth pointing out that NFL Network and NFL Redzone are not currently available on DIRECTV STREAM. So while you’ll get almost all the NFL games this season, there is a small amount of coverage you could miss out on.

This lineup of channels will let you watch Sunday afternoon games in your area, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football when your local team is playing, NFL preseason coverage, NFL Playoff games, and the Super Bowl. The only things you’ll be missing are a handful of games throughout the season airing on NFL Network, the live cut-in coverage of NFL Redzone, and the full slate of Thursday Night Football since that’s exclusive to Amazon Prime Video.

Multiple package options are available, ranging from 65+ to over 140 channels and offering everything from local channels to premium movie channels like Starz. Local channels are available in most areas. The DIRECTV STREAM channel lineup is undoubtedly one of the most robust out there.

All plans give you full access to an on-demand library, cloud DVR with unlimited storage, and other features.

Packages range from $70 per month up to $149.99 a month.

You can stream on Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, mobile devices, computers, and other devices.

DIRECTV STREAM Highlights:

  • Local channels included
  • Multiple package options
  • Plenty of sports channels
  • Movie channels available in some packages
  • Stream on most devices
  • Contract-free – cancel on your terms

Check out our DIRECTV STREAM review for a detailed analysis of everything the streaming service offers.

A 5-day free trial is available to all new DIRECTV STREAM subscribers.

 

YouTube TV

YouTube TV NFL
  • Which NFL Channels are Included? CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network, NFL Redzone
  • Which NFL Channels are Missing? None
  • Price: Starting at $72.99/month 
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

YouTube TV offers 85+ channels for $65 a month without a contract.

YouTube TV offers easy access to local channels, sports, and much more.

All channels you need to watch NFL games online are here, including a CBS live stream, FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network, and NFL Redzone.

That means you’ll be able to watch Sunday afternoon games in your area, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football when your local team is playing, NFL preseason coverage, NFL Playoff games, and the Super Bowl. The only thing you won’t get on YouTube TV is the full slate of Thursday Night Football because that is now exclusive to Amazon Prime.

You can stream YouTube TV on everything from mobile devices to gaming consoles.

All plans offer unlimited cloud DVR, access to multiple profiles, and an easy-to-use interface.

YouTube TV Highlights:

  • 60+ channels
  • Plans from $65 per month
  • Stream on most devices
  • Unlimited Cloud-DVR
  • Add-on channels are available
  • Plenty of available sports content
  • Popular YouTube TV channels include AMC, FX, Food Network, Disney, and USA
  • Some regional sports channels are included

Read our complete YouTube TV review for a detailed look into the service.

YouTube TV offers new subscribers a free one-week trial!

 

Sling TV

Sling TV NFL
  • Which NFL Channels are Included? ESPN, NFL Network, NFL Redzone, FOX (limited markets), NBC (limited markets) 
  • Which NFL Channels are Missing? CBS, FOX (some markets), NBC (some markets)
  • Price: Starting at $40/month 
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

With plans starting at just $35 a month, Sling TV is a popular cable TV alternative for budget-conscious streamers.

Sling TV was the first live streaming service of its kind, so it offers consistent, reliable service.

When it comes to streaming NFL games, Sling TV is a decent, but incomplete, choice. Depending on your package, the Sling TV channel lineup will give you access to FOX and NBC (limited locations across the US; authentication also available via TV Everywhere apps), NFL Network, and ESPN. NFL RedZone is available for an additional fee. Access to CBS is not currently available.

That means you’ll be able to watch a limited slate of Sunday afternoon games in your area, Sunday Night Football (depending on location), Monday Night Football, and some NFL preseason coverage. You’ll be missing are a decent chunk of Sunday games without CBS and the full slate of Thursday Night Football since that’s exclusive to Amazon Prime.

Sling TV Highlights:

  • Choose from multiple plans
  • Reasonable rates and plenty of add-ons
  • Watch sports, news, movies, TV, and more
  • Live and on-demand content is available
  • Plans come with a cloud DVR
  • Exclusive deals are often available when you prepay for service in advance
  • Stream on mobile devices, Roku, Apple TV, computers, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, and more
  • Very limited local channel access is available

Want to learn more? Our Sling TV review takes an in-depth look at the service.

Click here to get started with Sling TV.

 

Paramount+

Paramount+ NFL
  • Which NFL Channels are Included? CBS
  • Which NFL Channels are Missing? FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network, NFL Redzone
  • Price: $4.99/mo & up
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Paramount+ gives you access to all the games airing on your local CBS affiliate. If you live in the market of an AFC team and only care about following them throughout the season, this could be a good, budget-friendly option to watch NFL online.

Subscriptions start at $5 per month. This plan does not include 24/7 coverage of your local CBS affiliate, but it will allow you to watch NFL games live. The Premium plan includes your local CBS 24/7 and is available for $10 per month.

That means you’ll be able to watch Sunday afternoon AFC games in your area, Thursday Night Football when your local team is playing, and some NFL Playoff games. You’ll be missing anything that airs on other channels, including NBC, FOX, ESPN, NFL Network, etc.

You’ll have access to the full CBS slate of content plus Paramount+ originals, and more!

You can stream on popular streaming devices, at home or on the go.

Paramount+ Highlights:

  • Get the Premium Plan to watch your local CBS network
  • Plans start at $5/month
  • All plans will give you access to live NFL games airing on CBS
  • Stream on Roku, mobile devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, and more
  • No contracts, cancel anytime
  • Watch originals, movies, sports, and TV live and on-demand

Take a minute to sign up for your free 7-day Paramount+ trial!

 

Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime NFL
  • Which NFL Channels are Included? Amazon Prime (Thursday Night Football)
  • Which NFL Channels are Missing? CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network, NFL Redzone
  • Price: $8.99/mo for video streaming; $15/mo or $139/year for full Prime membership
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Amazon Prime has become an essential piece of the NFL streaming puzzle as it now has exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football games. You won’t be able to watch Thursday Night Football games without it, unless your local team happens to be playing in which case the game will simulcast on one of your local channels.

The good news is most people already have Amazon Prime for their online shopping needs, so access to Prime Video is included in that.

Amazon Prime Highlights:

  • Subscriptions start at $8.99/month for video-only service
  • Watch Thursday Night Football and other sports
  • Stream on Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, mobile devices, and more

Click here to start streaming with Amazon Prime.

 

Peacock

Peacock NFL
  • Which NFL Channels are Included? NBC
  • Which NFL Channels are Missing? CBS, FOX, ESPN, NFL Network, NFL Redzone
  • Price: $5.99/mo or $59.99/year
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Peacock won’t give you access to the full slate of NFL games, but it will give you access to the local or national games airing on NBC, which is pretty much Sunday Night Football and some playoff games.

You’ll be missing anything that airs on other channels, including CBS, FOX, ESPN, NFL Network, etc., which is the bulk of NFL action throughout the season. That said, Peacock could be a good option for those who are just missing out on NBC (e.g. can’t pick it up with their antenna or their streaming service doesn’t carry it in their market) and need that to complete their streaming lineup.

Peacock starts at $5 per month and can be viewed on most popular streaming devices.

Peacock Highlights:

  • Subscriptions start at $5 per month with ads
  • No-ad subscriptions also available
  • Watch Sunday Night Football and other sports
  • Access to NBC current and former shows
  • Watch Peacock Originals
  • Stream on Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, mobile devices, and more

Our Peacock review has more details on this streaming service.

Click here to start streaming with Peacock.

 

NFL+

NFL Game Pass Main
  • Watch every NFL regular season and playoffs game on-demand after it ends, live in-market games on mobile devices, live out-of-market preseason games, originals shows & documentaries, and more
  • 7-day free trial
  • Starting at $4.99/mo or $29.99 a year (limited time only, regularly $39.99/year)
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

NFL+ is the league’s new streaming service, replacing Game Pass here in the US.

With NFL+, you’ll be able to watch full game replays on-demand, live in-market games (CBS, FOX, NBC) via your mobile devices, live out-of-market preseason games, and a robust on-demand library including a selection of NFL Films and NFL Network shows.

NFL+ is basically a combination of the now defunct US version of  NFL Game Pass service and the live local game streaming on mobile devices that was offered to Verizon customers in previous seasons.

NFL+ Highlights:

  • Monthly or annual payment plans
  • Plans from $5 per month
  • Watch the entire season on-demand
  • In-market regular season games live onyour mobile devices
  • Stream old seasons and other classic games
  • Other football related news, analysis, and more is available
  • Stream on most popular devices via the NFL app

See our NFL+ review for more details on the new streaming service.

Check out NFL+ during a free 7-day trial!

 

FAQ

You’ve gotten this far, but it would make sense if you still had a few questions about how to stream NFL games online throughout the season. With that in mind, here are some of the most common questions we receive about watching the NFL season online without cable.

Can I watch NFL games online without cable?

You sure can! Whether you’re looking for your hometown team or you want to watch out-of-market games, you’ve got plenty of options. For local, regional, and national games your best bet is a streaming service like fuboTV, Sling TV, or Hulu with Live TV. You can find all the best options in the sections above.

If you want out-of-market games NFL+ has a Premium subscription ($10/month) that will give you access to every game of the season on-demand, and you’ll get local and national games live!

Can I watch NFL games online for free?

You won’t have access to the entire season live for free, but it is possible to use free trials from the available live streaming services mentioned to watch some games for free. Just keep in mind that if you sign up to a free trial and plan to cancel, you’ll want to do so before the end of the trial, otherwise you may be charged.

Does Amazon Prime offer NFL games?

You can watch one game a week on Amazon Prime. Currently, Amazon Prime has the rights to Thursday Night Football. All Amazon Prime members have live access to the game on a variety of devices.

Can I watch out-of-market NFL games online?

It’s possible to watch the entire NFL season online without cable. However, you won’t be able to watch every game live. NFL+ offers the easiest way to watch OOM games and they are available on-demand. You’ll have access to every game as soon as it ends in the NFL+ on-demand library. NFL+ currently offers a free 7-day trial if you want to give it a shot!

What is the best way to stream NFL games on local channels?

Ultimately this is going to depend on where you live. Local channels are based on location because each network has an affiliate broadcasting in your area. Some services like Hulu Live, give you access to most major local channels for most parts of the country. Other services, like Sling TV, offer more limited access. Your best bet will likely be one of the services that focuses on local channels like fuboTV, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu with Live TV, or YouTube TV.

If you just need access to a specific channel, you may also be able to pick up its specific streaming service. For example, if you need NBC, you can subscribe to Peacock, or if you wanted CBS, you could sign up for Paramount+.

Can I watch the NFL Playoffs without cable?

In order to watch the NFL Playoffs, you will need a series of channels including ABC, CBS, ESPN, FOX, and NBC. Each of these channels are available in the services listed above. In fact, services like Hulu with Live TV and fuboTV offer every channel you need to watch the NFL Playoffs online without cable!

If you have any additional questions about how to stream NFL without cable, feel free to let us know. We’re happy to help you figure things out!

 

A Final Word on How to Watch NFL Online without Cable

Hopefully, you’ve learned everything you need to watch NFL online without cable.

Whether you want to watch your local team or the whole lineup, you can find streaming services that will let you watch the entire season without cable.

Don’t forget, you can try most of the services listed above during the free trials they offer. So, you can sign up, watch some free NFL games, and if the service doesn’t work for you just cancel and try another option.

Watching NFL and other sports can be done without cable, you just need the right services to do it!

Have any more questions about how to watch NFL games without cable? Leave us a comment below so we can help.

 

Find How to Watch NFL Games by Team

AFC EAST NFC EAST
Buffalo Bills Dallas Cowboys
Miami Dolphins New York Giants
New England Patriots Philadelphia Eagles
New York Jets Washington Commanders
AFC NORTH NFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens Chicago Bears
Cincinnati Bengals Detroit Lions
Cleveland Browns Green Bay Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers Minnesota Vikings
AFC SOUTH NFC SOUTH
Houston Texans Atlanta Falcons
Indianapolis Colts Carolina Panthers
Jacksonville Jaguars New Orleans Saints
Tennessee Titans Tampa Bay Buccaneers
AFC WEST NFC WEST
Denver Broncos Arizona Cardinals
Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Rams
Las Vegas Raiders San Francisco 49ers
Los Angeles Chargers Seattle Seahawks
DIRECTV STREAM
  • The most live sports channels of any streaming service
  • Includes ESPN, FS1, regional sports networks, local channels (FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC), and more
  • Starting at $74.99/month
fuboTV
  • 200+ channels available
  • Includes ESPN, FOX Sports, local channels (CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX), regional sports networks, and more
  • Starting at $74.99/month 
Sling TV
  • The most affordable live streaming service
  • Includes ESPN, FS1, TNT, NFL Network, and more
  • Starting at $40/month
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

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