You may be asking yourself, “What’s the best way to watch every NFL game?” NFL Game Pass is a great option, but it’s not for every fan. You won’t get to watch live games, but you can watch replays immediately after the live game ends (with one exception, which we’ll reveal shortly). Scroll down to find out more about how NFL Game Pass works and how it compares to its formidable competition, DIRECTV’s NFL SUNDAY TICKET.
Pros
- Every NFL game after it airs
- No commercials
- Original content
- Cheaper price than NFL SUNDAY TICKET
Cons
- No live games
- No playoff or Super Bowl games
- Confusing free trial
What is NFL Game Pass?
NFL Game Pass is an on-demand streaming service offered by the NFL. It costs $99 per season and allows you to watch every NFL game without commercials right after it finishes airing live.
About that exception we mentioned above: While NFL Game Pass doesn’t include live regular-season games for US-based fans, expats and international fans don’t have that restriction.
But no matter where you live, NFL Game Pass doesn’t broadcast playoff or Super Bowl games. For those, you’ll need to have a cable, satellite, or streaming TV service—or an OTA antenna.
Is NFL Game Pass worth it?
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: if you have the patience of Le’veon Bell, NFL Game Pass might be worth it for you.
We like being able to catch every NFL game with no commercials—even if it’s after the game originally airs. But if you’re the type of fan that can’t stand a spoiler, NFL Game Pass might not be worth the $99 per season.
How much does NFL Game Pass cost?
NFL Game Pass costs $99 per season. If that seems like a lot, there are a couple of ways you can pay (or not pay) that might help you shoulder the cost.
- Single payment of $99.00
- 4 installments of $29.99 a month until total is paid
- Free trial during the off-season
NFL Game Pass is actually a nice compromise if you can’t afford NFL SUNDAY TICKET. More on that after the break.
NFL Game Pass vs. NFL SUNDAY TICKET
There’s one scenario in which NFL Game Pass seems downright affordable, and that’s when you compare it to NFL SUNDAY TICKET.
At $293.94 per season plus the cost of a 2-year DIRECTV contract (starting at $64.99 per month for the first year), NFL SUNDAY TICKET ain’t cheap. But you do get every out-of-market game live.
On the other hand, if you want every NFL game and you’re willing to wait to stream each one, $99.00 for a season of NFL Game Pass is definitely for you. Plus, you won’t have to wade through endless commercial breaks.
How does NFL Game Pass work?
If you want to stream NFL Game Pass, you’ll need to use the NFL app. There is no separate NFL Game Pass app.
Don’t worry, the NFL app is easy to use, and we’ll show you how.
How to stream NFL Game Pass on the NFL app
- Go to the app store on your device.
- Search NFL.
- Select the NFL app.
- Download the NFL app.
- Sign in with your NFL Game Pass login.
- Start streaming.
On an Apple TV (my weapon of choice), for example, you can toggle between featured content (including NFL Game Pass Film Sessions and documentaries) and replays of each NFL game, including the playoffs and Super Bowl.
There’s also a live feed at the top of the Featured tab that mostly shows NFL Network clips of sports pundits and Hall of Famers talking shop. (Football gossip? Yes, please.)
All in all, NFL Game Pass on the NFL app is as simple and effective as a Tom Brady quarterback sneak.
NFL app compatible devices
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android phones and tablets
- Android TV
- Apple TV
- iOS phones and tablets
- PlayStation 4
- Roku
- Xbox One
Game Replays
NFL Game Pass has the art of replay dialed in. It’s pretty sick that you can watch any NFL game on demand without commercials going all the way back to the 2009 season.
Don’t have time to watch every game in its entirety? Use the Condensed Game feature, which cuts each game down to about 45 minutesby showing only key plays and scoring drives.
Game Replays are NFL Game Pass’s bread and butter, and no other streaming service can come close to its convenience and sheer value Game Pass offers.
NFL Game Pass shows and documentaries
You know, now that we all are spending more time in front of the TV, the original programming on NFL Game Pass is a major perk.
Over the last month, I’ve enjoyed some of The Timeline’s mini-documentaries like “A Tale of Two Cities” (detailing the Niners-Cowboys rivalry) and “’91 Falcons” (love me some Primetime).
Other content focuses more on game film and commentary, and there’s a ton of it to keep you entertained during quarantine.
NFL Game Pass original content
- The Timeline
- Film Sessions
- Around the NFL
- Game Theory
- A Football Life
Final take
We went in skeptical, but NFL Game Pass grew on us. Game Replays are pretty sweet if you can wait to stream your games and want to bypass commercials.
NFL Game Pass original shows and documentaries are pretty good, too. And, at $99 per season, we’d say NFL Game Pass is worth it for fans who want more football but can’t handle NFL SUNDAY TICKET’s linebacker-sized price tag.
NFL Game Pass FAQ
Can you watch live games on NFL Game Pass?
You can watch out-of-market preseason games live on NFL Game Pass. You’ll have to watch all other NFL games on demand after they air.
Unless, of course, you live outside of the US. If you’re an expat or international fan, you can stream all games live with NFL Game Pass.
How soon are games available on NFL Game Pass?
Games are available on NFL Game Pass immediately after they air.
How much is NFL Game Pass a month?
NFL Game Pass costs $99.00 per season, or you can pay monthly installments of $29.99 until the full bill is paid.
How can I watch all NFL games?
You can watch all NFL games with NFL Game Pass immediately after they air. If you want to watch NFL games live, your best bet is NFL SUNDAY TICKET through DIRECTV to get every single game.
Is NFL Game Pass the same as NFL SUNDAY TICKET?
NFL Game Pass is not the same as NFL SUNDAY TICKET. Game Pass ($99.00 a year) lets you stream every regular-season game immediately after they air, along with past games, original shows, and some NFL Network content. NFL SUNDAY TICKET ($293.94 a year) lets you watch every single NFL game live and is available only through DIRECTV.
Methodology
Our TV experts spend dozens—nay, hundreds—watching and researching NFL Game Pass so we can tell you whether or not it’s worth your money and why. For more information on how we work, check out our “How We Rank” page.
