How to Watch NFL Games 2022–2023
We’ve outlined every channel you need for watching NFL games, including the best TV providers for the 2022 NFL season.
Channels: CBS and FOX
Services: Paramount+ (Live CBS games)
Spanish-language channels: FOX Deportes (Select FOX games)
NFL game count: 76 games per region
Channels: CBS and FOX
Services: Paramount+ (Live CBS games)
Spanish-language channels: FOX Deportes (Select FOX games)
NFL game count: 76 games per region
Services: NFL SUNDAY TICKET
NFL game count: ~200 Sunday afternoon games
Services: NFL SUNDAY TICKET
NFL game count: ~200 Sunday afternoon games
Services: Amazon Prime Video
NFL game count: 15 TNF games
Services: Amazon Prime Video
NFL game count: 15 TNF games
Channels: NBC
Services: Peacock
Spanish-language channels: Telemundo, Universo
NFL game count: 20 games (Including 18 SNF games)
Channels: NBC
Services: Peacock
Spanish-language channels: Telemundo, Universo
NFL game count: 20 games (Including 18 SNF games)
Channels: ESPN and ABC
Spanish-language channels: ESPN Deportes
NFL game count: 20 MNF games
Channels: ESPN and ABC
Spanish-language channels: ESPN Deportes
NFL game count: 20 MNF games
The 2022 NFL season kicked off on September 8, and DIRECTV with NFL SUNDAY TICKET is still the best way to watch the most live games. But you’ll also need Amazon Prime Video and ESPN+ to get every live NFL game this season.
Our guide outlines the league’s six major broadcasting options—including every NFL channel and service. Each section also includes provider recommendations like Hulu + Live TV in case DIRECTV is not in your budget.
So lace up your shoulder pads and apply your eye black because football is here, and CableTV.com is taking you to the gridiron.
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The channels you’ll need to watch NFL games
NFL action in 2022 will air across multiple networks and services, including marquee NFL broadcasters like Amazon Prime Video, CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, and NFL Network.
Because the NFL regular season includes 272 games across 18 weeks, you’ll need access to in-market and out-of-market viewing options to receive the most game coverage. Below is a list of every major NFL channel and service for watching live games.
- Amazon Prime Video
- CBS
- ESPN
- ESPN+
- FOX
- NBC
- NFL Network
- NFL SUNDAY TICKET
Pro tip: Paramount+ subscribers can stream live NFL on CBS games, while Peacock Premium subscribers get access to live NBC games. Both services also have their fair share of football movies available for streaming.
Additional NFL simulcasts and alternate broadcasts air on channels like ABC, ESPN2, and Nickelodeon. You can also catch extra NFL coverage on NFL RedZone. The channel broadcasts only on Sunday afternoons during the regular season, but it provides live coverage of every Sunday afternoon game regardless of regional blackouts.
NFL schedule: key events and channels
It’s never too early to plan your next NFL watch party. Head over to our NFL Schedule This Week to view upcoming NFL matchups, including kickoff times and channel listings.
We’ve also outlined the most significant NFL events to keep an eye on in the table below.
| Event | Date | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Hall of Fame Game | August 4, 2022 | NBC, Peacock |
| NFL Playoffs | January 14–February 5, 2023 | CBS, ESPN/ABC, FOX, NBC |
| NFL Pro Bowl Games | February 5, 2023 | ABC, ESPN |
| NFL Honors | February 9, 2023 | NBC, Peacock, NFL Network |
| Super Bowl LVII | February 12, 2023 | FOX |
| 2023 NFL Draft | April 27–29, 2023 | ABC, ESPN, NFL Network |
In-market games: CBS and FOX
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Most NFL matchups take place on Sunday afternoons on either CBS or FOX. Typically, games with an AFC road team are broadcast on CBS, while NFC road team games air on FOX.
Because many NFL games happen at once on Sunday afternoons, you’ll be able to see only the ones selected for your location. Several factors determine the in-market games for your area. But usually, you’ll get every game featuring your local team and any games with playoff implications for your local team.
CBS and FOX are easily accessible through most TV providers. But if you live within range of your local CBS and FOX affiliates, you can catch every in-market NFL game with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna.
A good antenna usually costs between $20 and $60. The best part is that it’s a one-time payment that will give you access to many live sports for years to come. We like the Mohu Leaf 50 ($54.99 on Amazon†) because of its 60-mile range and 4K capabilities, but there are many antenna options to consider.
Pro tip: You can verify which channels you’ll pick up with an OTA antenna by entering your zip code on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Reception Map Tool.
Out-of-market games: NFL SUNDAY TICKET
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Includes out of the market, regular season games only. Select international games excluded. Blackout restrictions and other conditions apply.
NFL SUNDAY TICKET is the go-to TV plan for anyone who supports a non-local team or wants the most live NFL games. The out-of-market sports package is exclusively available to DIRECTV subscribers and comes included with the satellite TV provider’s CHOICE™ package ($69.99 a month*) and above.
Because it’s paired with DIRECTV, you’ll get every game that airs on CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, and NFL Network. That’s almost every game of the season, all in one place. (You’ll miss only the 15 Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video and one international game on ESPN+.)
While NFL SUNDAY TICKET with DIRECTV is ideal for any football superfan, its cost and commitment are daunting. The biggest drawback is that you must enter a two-year contract with DIRECTV where the price increases after the first year. Add the fact that NFL SUNDAY TICKET is moving YouTube TV for the 2023 NFL season, and you’ve got a flag on the play.
Pro tip: Signing up for DIRECTV isn’t ideal for everyone. Luckily, there are a few other ways you can access out-of-market NFL games. We highlight these options in our How to Get NFL SUNDAY TICKET Without DIRECTV guide.
Thursday Night Football
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
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Thursday Night Football is now in the hands of Amazon Prime Video. The streaming service will host 15 live games during the 2022 NFL season. But that doesn’t account for every Thursday night matchup, as the games in Weeks 1 and 17 will air on NBC.
If you’re interested in Prime Video for only its NFL games, we recommend checking out the 2022 Thursday Night Football schedule. That’ll help you determine when your favorite teams are playing and whether you need Prime Video for the entire season.
Sunday Night Football
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth are back for Sunday Night Football, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Melissa Stark joins the two commentators, replacing Michele Tafoya as the sideline reporter.
The 2022 NFL season contains 18 Sunday Night Football games, plus a Thanksgiving night matchup on Thursday, November 24. NBC will also kick the season off with a Thursday night game on September 8.
You can watch Sunday Night Football on NBC through most TV providers. But you can also pick up the channel with an OTA antenna if you live near an NBC affiliate.
Another cheap option for watching Sunday Night Football is Peacock. The streaming service’s premium plans start at $4.99 a month and give you complete access to every Sunday Night Football game and NBC playoff game.
Monday Night Football
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
ESPN will present 20 Monday Night Football games during the 2022 NFL season, including one game airing solely on ABC. Key matchups include the Denver Broncos vs. the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1 and the Los Angeles Rams vs. the Green Bay Packers in Week 15.
This season will look and sound a little different on Monday Night Football as Joe Buck and Troy Aikman join the broadcast booth from FOX. But don’t worry, you can still catch Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli on ESPN2 and ESPN+. The Manning brothers will host ten alternate telecasts (or Manningcasts) during the 2022 campaign, and you can expect many fun guests to stop by.
ESPN is available through every major TV provider, with Sling TV’s Orange plan being the cheapest way to get the channel. But you don’t need a TV plan to watch every Monday Night Football game because select games will simulcast on ABC, which you can access with an OTA antenna.
NFL International Series
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
The 2022 NFL International Series features five games played across various venues in the UK, Germany, and Mexico. NFL Network will carry three matchups, while ESPN and ESPN+ will air the other two games.
Most TV providers carry ESPN and NFL Network, while ESPN+ costs $9.99 a month on its own. Hulu + Live TV is the only TV service that gets you every international NFL game in one plan because its plans include ESPN+ at no extra cost.
We’ve listed every international game in the table below, highlighting each game’s viewing details. If you live in the market of a team participating in an ESPN or ESPN+ game, you can watch the game on your team’s local TV station.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints | October 2, 2022 | 9:30 a.m. | NFL Network |
| New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers | October 9, 2022 | 9:30 a.m. | NFL Network |
| Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | October 30, 2022 | 9:30 a.m. | ESPN+ |
| Seattle Seahawks vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | November 13, 2022 | 9:30 a.m. | NFL Network |
| San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals | November 21, 2022 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN Deportes |
Other options for watching NFL games
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
For US-based viewers, NFL+ (formerly NFL Game Pass) is an inexpensive way to watch NFL games. The hitch is that live regular season and playoff games are viewable only on phones and tablets. But you can watch every NFL game on a wider range of devices through NFL+ Premium ($9.99 a month) if you wait until after the game ends.
Nothing compares to live sports on a big-screen TV. But saving money and watching games on your own time isn’t so bad. Plus, there are no commercials when you watch archived games on NFL+, and you can use its spoiler-free feature to help keep final scores a secret.
How to watch NFL preseason games
The 2022 NFL preseason began on August 4 with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game airing on NBC and Peacock. Most NFL teams played three preseason games during August. These games aired primarily on local channels, but ESPN and NFL Network also carried select preseason games.
NFL+ is also a great option for live NFL preseason action—offering live out-of-market game access throughout August.
How to watch NFL games for free
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You can watch free NFL games by connecting an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to your TV. If you’re near a local ABC, CBS, FOX, or NBC station, you’ll have free access to many NFL games—including playoff fixtures and the Super Bowl. The FCC’s Reception Map Tool is a great place to verify which channels are available in your area.
Of course, an antenna isn’t free. But an easy one-time purchase will ensure you have NFL coverage for many seasons. You’ll also get access to other gridiron leagues like the USFL and XFL, plus NBA, NHL, and MLB games. We recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 ($54.99 on Amazon†) because of its wide range and picture quality.
Unfortunately, if an antenna doesn’t work for your location, there’s no easy way to watch live NFL games for free online. But you can always try signing up for a free trial to a live TV streaming service. Our Best Streaming Services for Sports page closely examines streaming providers dedicated to sports.
Final take
NFL games are scattered across a wide range of channels and services—including Amazon Prime Video, CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, and NFL Network. But not everyone needs the most extensive TV plan to tune in this season. After all, a simple over-the-air (OTA) antenna can get you many marquee matchups that air on local channels.
For hard-core NFL fans, we recommend DIRECTV with NFL SUNDAY TICKET. It offers every NFL game except the ones on Prime Video and ESPN+. DIRECTV CHOICE ($69.99 a month*) or above subscribers receive NFL SUNDAY TICKET for free during the 2022 season.
But with DIRECTV, you must sign up for a two-year contract where the price increases after the first year. That’s a bummer, considering NFL SUNDAY TICKET is leaving DIRECTV after this season.
Hulu + Live TV is the way to go if you prefer to stream. You won’t get out-of-market games or Prime Video matchups, but the live TV streaming service comes with every major NFL channel and no contracts or bulky equipment requirements.
Sling TV is also a great cost-saving option for streaming, but you’ll need to rely on an antenna to get complete local coverage. Luckily, Sling TV offers a free HD antenna when you prepay for two months of service. If you go an extra yard and prepay for three months, you can also get an AirTV DVR device to record locally televised games. We highlight both offers and more on our Sling TV Deals page.
How to watch NFL games FAQ
What streaming services have NFL Network?
You can stream NFL Network on fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. Each service also offers NFL RedZone, but you may need to subscribe to a higher-tiered plan or add-on to receive the channel.
Can I watch NFL online for free?
No, you can’t watch live NFL games for free online. While the NFL mobile app is free to download, you must log in with a TV provider or NFL+ account to watch live in-market and primetime games.
Can I watch NFL games without cable?
Yes, you can watch NFL games without cable. An HD antenna can get you in-market and select national games while streaming services like fuboTV and Hulu + Live TV also carry NFL channels.
How can I watch NFL in Spanish?
You can watch select Spanish-language NFL broadcasts on ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, Telemundo, and Universo.
Methodology
Our sports experts watched the past several NFL seasons and spent over 20 hours researching the upcoming season to determine the best ways to watch NFL games. We examined every broadcasting option and compared the most popular TV providers head to head. We based our provider recommendations on pricing, NFL game quantity, and ease of use.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*For 12 months plus taxes and fees w/24 mo agmt. AutoPay & Paperless bill req’d. Regional Sports Fee up to $11.99/mo is extra & tax applies. Prices higher in 2nd year.
†Amazon.com price as of 12/5/22 4:30 p.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
