How to Watch, Stream NFL Football Games Live Online Free Without Cable: Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN: Week 15

It’s getting down to do or die for a lot of NFL teams hoping to make the playoffs this year. And pretty much every one of those teams is hampered by key injuries.

There are a number of key games for teams on the bubble this year, including the Rams vs. the Cowboys and the Texans vs. the Titans. Sunday night, meanwhile, brings a battle between potential AFC wild cards when the Bills face the Steelers.

There’s lots to watch, but catching your favorite team isn’t always an easy thing to do. Heading to your local sports bar inevitably racks up a bill and your home cable system (assuming it even broadcasts the game you want to want to watch) isn’t cheap either.

Fortunately, there are alternatives. Rooting for your favorite team doesn’t have to be an expensive affair (letting you save money for tailgating). Here’s a look at who’s playing this week—and several different ways to watch the games.

Which NFL teams are playing this week? And what channels are airing the games?

While there are plenty of key games this week, there could be a few blowouts as well. The 10-3 Patriots take on the 1-12 Bengals. And the 4-9 Falcons face the 11-2 49ers. But if this season has taught us anything, it’s that there are no sure things in this league.

Here’s a look who’s playing this week. (The home team is listed second.)

Sunday, December 15

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox

New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS

Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox

Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Giants, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox

Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox

Cleveland Browns vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Oakland Raiders, 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS

Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS

Los Angeles Rams vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox

Atlanta Falcons vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox

Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC

Monday, December 16

Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints, 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN

How can I watch my local NFL team for free—even if I am out of market?

The best way to watch any NFL game for free on a big screen is with a good HD antenna. Local and regional games are broadcast by CBS, NBC and Fox—meaning you’ve got a good chance of capturing the game over the air, which costs nothing beyond the equipment prices. Be sure to test the antenna in multiple locations in your home to find the most reliable signal.

How can I stream NFL games live online if I don’t have a cable subscription?

There are loads of online options to watch NFL games, some completely free and others with free trial periods. If you’re not near a TV, you can log into Fox.com to watch the game or use the Fox Now app. CBS offers its All Access streaming service, which has a one week free trial, followed by a $6 monthly charge. And NBC’s Web site and apps will let you watch live programming on the go. Another option? Yahoo Sports and the NFL have teamed to stream live NFL games on mobile devices this year. Just download the Yahoo Sports app or Yahoo Fantasy Football mobile app and watch all local and primetime games on phones and tablets. Prefer another method? Here are a few that work just as well.

Locast.org

This free service lets you watch local broadcast channels with no monthly fees or contracts. The hiccup is: It only services part of the country.

PlayStation Vue

The free trial is 5 days. Subscription packages start at $50 per month.

Hulu with Live TV

You can try the service free for a week. Once that’s up, you’ll pay $45 per month.

YouTube TV

After a seven day trial, you can expect monthly charges of $50.

Fubo TV

This sports-focused cord cutting service carries CBS in most markets. There’s a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $55.

Can I watch NFL games on Amazon?

Not anymore, for this season at least. Amazon struck a deal with NBC to air select Thursday night games this season, but the last one was broadcast on the retail giant’s streaming service on Dec. 12. There are, at this time, no plans to jointly air any others as the playoffs approach.

Does the NFL offer any viewing packages to watch the games I want?

Kind of.

NFL App

The NFL App will let you stream games that are being broadcast locally in your market on Sundays. If you want to watch an ‘out of market’ game, you’ve got two choices.

NFL Game Pass

There are couple hitches with this service. You can’t use it to watch live games, but you can watch anything once its main broadcast ends. There’s a seven day free trial, after which you’re looking at a $100 charge per season.

NFL Sunday Ticket

DirecTV customers have access to it, but if you’re not a subscriber and live in an area where it’s not available, you can watch any NFL game live, online or on TV for $73.49 per month or $293.36 for the entire season.