October is here, which means it’s officially spooky season. But for me, the best part of fall isn’t just the candy corn and pumpkin patches; it’s that the NFL season is really starting to heat up. Speaking of spookiness, if you’re a horror movie fan, don’t forget to apply for our Halloween “Thrillternship” Dream Job before the October 7 deadline. One lucky applicant will get paid $666 to watch horror movies.
After a wild Week 4 that saw a 40–40 tie on Sunday night and the Chiefs’ offense finally come back to life, the league feels as unpredictable as ever. The biggest story for me was watching the Ravens’ championship hopes get decimated by injuries, while rookie QB Jaxson Dart led the Giants to a stunning upset win over the previously undefeated Chargers.
With four teams on a bye, this week’s NFL schedule is a bit lighter. But it’s still packed with high-stakes matchups, including three pretty solid primetime games. I’ve laid out the complete Week 5 TV schedule below, including kick-off times and channel listings.
CableTV.com’s NFL Game of the Week
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams | Amazon Prime Video
Coverage begins Thursday, October 2, at 8:15 p.m. ET: The best game of Week 5 is the one that kicks it all off. This Thursday night showdown is a massive, early-season battle for first place in the NFC West between the 3–1 49ers and the 3–1 Rams. Los Angeles is rolling after a big win over the Colts, while the Niners are looking to prove last week’s loss was just a fluke.
I’ll be watching the chess match between Rams QB Matthew Stafford and the San Francisco defense. Stafford has been playing at an MVP level. He’s now facing a Niners defense that, since losing Nick Bosa for the season, has struggled to pressure the quarterback. On the other side, the Rams must find an answer for Christian McCaffrey, who has absolutely dominated them in recent matchups. The big X-factor is the health of 49ers QB Brock Purdy, who’s dealing with a good ole toe injury.
Overall, this matchup feels like a toss-up. But with Stafford playing at such a high level and the game being at home, I’m giving a slight edge to the Rams. Remember, this is the week’s Thursday Night Football matchup, which means it streams exclusively on Prime Video for most of the country. Local fans can also catch the game airing in Los Angeles on KTVU (FOX 2) and in the Bay Area on KTTV (FOX 11).
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NFL TV schedule this week
Every NFL regular-season game airs nationally except for the regional Sunday afternoon matchups on CBS and FOX. If you want live access to out-of-market games, you’ll need NFL Sunday Ticket or NFL RedZone’s whip-around coverage. All local and primetime games stream live on NFL+ for mobile device users.
Below is the complete list of NFL Week 5 matchups. You can also check out 506 Sports’ broadcast map to see which Sunday games will air in your region.
Data effective as of post date. CBS and FOX games air in select markets.
NFL Schedule This Week FAQ
What week is it in the NFL?
It’s currently Week 5 of the 2025 NFL regular season. This is a key week on the calendar, as it marks the first time teams will be on a bye.
Which NFL teams have a bye this week?
The four teams on a bye in Week 5 are the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Who is the best team in the NFL today?
After four weeks, the only two undefeated teams remaining are the Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills, who are holding down the top two spots in the NFL Power Rankings. After their big Monday night win, the Detroit Lions have also solidified their place in the top three.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, has been writing and refining this weekly NFL schedule guide since the 2022 season. Each week, he reviews the official league schedule and cross-references it with every broadcast partner. This process assures the channel listings for each matchup—including Spanish-language and alternate broadcasts—are always accurate.
Taylor’s “Game of the Week” selection comes from that hands-on experience, as he watches multiple games in their entirety every game week. His pick is a blend of on-field analysis (team performance, playoff stakes) and off-field expertise (broadcast accessibility). That dedicated, hands-on experience is what gives this TV guide a true fan’s perspective.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about CableTV.com and the methods we use.