How to watch NFL divisional playoff games live online for free—and without cable

There are just four games scheduled this weekend, but they’re all can’t-miss affairs. Will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to fight their way to the Super Bowl or will the Los Angeles Rams end their dreams? Can the Buffalo Bills dominate the Kansas City Chiefs as thoroughly as they did the New England Patriots? Or will Patrick Mahomes prove unstoppable?

Looking to stream this weekend’s games or not sure who’s playing when? We’ve got a look at the matchups—and several different options for viewing.

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

Here’s a look at who’s playing who in the divisional playoffs. (The home team is listed second.)

Saturday, Jan. 22

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans, 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS

San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m. ET on Fox

Sunday, Jan. 23

Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3:00 p.m. ET on NBC

Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS

How can I watch the NFL playoffs for free—even if I am out of market?

The good thing about playoffs is being out of market isn’t really a factor. They’re broadcast everywhere. But if you’ve cut the cord, the best way to watch any sort of network programming for free on a big screen is with a good HD antenna. And NFL games are one of the easiest to view, since they air on broadcast networks, meaning you’ll be able to watch even if you don’t have a cable subscription. To ensure you’re getting the most reliable signal, be sure to test the antenna in multiple locations in your home.

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

There are a panoply of streaming options to choose from:

Peacock

NBC’s streaming service will give you access to Sunday night games and others aired on that network. You can get a seven-day free trial, followed by a $5 or $10 monthly charge. (The free version of Peacock does not include live sports.)

Paramount+

CBS’s streaming service will give you access to games aired on that network. You can get a one-month free trial, followed by a $6 monthly charge.

Hulu with Live TV

You can try the service free for a week. Once that’s up, you’ll pay $65 per month.

YouTubeTV

After a two-week trial, you can expect monthly charges of $65.

Sling TV

Dish Network’s Sling lower tiered “Orange” plan will run you $35 per month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” plan bumps the cost to $50-per-month. You’ll have a seven-day free trial first. And right now, the cord cutting service is dropping the first month’s bill to $10.

AT&T TV

Formerly known as DirecTV Now and AT&T TVNow, AT&T’s streaming service will run you $70 per month and up. There is no longer a free trial option.

Disney+

Disney’s bundle of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ can be enjoyed for free for seven days, after which you’ll pay $13.99 per month for all three combined

Fubo TV

This sports-focused cord cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. There’s a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $65 to $80, depending on the channels you choose.

Can I watch NFL games on Amazon?

Not until next year. The last game to stream on Amazon this season was on Christmas Day. It won’t carry any more games of the 2021 season.

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

Yep. Three of them.

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.