The divisional round of the NFL playoffs is arguably the most exciting weekend of football of the year.
Yes, the Super Bowl is the end goal and has plenty of drama, but just as many distractions. The Conference Championships have more gravitas. But if you want to see the hunger of the eight best teams in the NFL, this is the weekend to do so.
It’s a chance for longshots to shock the oddsmakers, and for favorites to show why they have been as dominant as they have all season. Next week could have some epic games, mind you—especially if the Bills and Chiefs collide for the conference championship, but they have to get through some formidable opponents first.
Here’s how best to catch it all.
Which NFL teams are playing this week? And what channels are airing the games?
Here’s who’s playing where and when this week. (The home team is listed second.)
Saturday, Jan. 18
Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:30 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN
Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions, 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox
Sunday, Jan. 19
Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 3:00 p.m. ET on NBC
Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills, 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS
How can I watch NFL games for free—even if I am out of market?
All of this week’s NFL playoff games can be watched without a cable subscription—and without a streaming subscription. The best way to do that (and watch any sort of network programming) for free on a big screen is with a good HD antenna. To ensure you’re getting the most reliable signal, be sure to test the antenna in multiple locations in your home.
Can I stream NFL games live online if I don’t have a cable subscription?
Certainly!.
Paramount+
CBS’s streaming service will give you a one-week free trial, followed by a $8 or $13 monthly charge. (An annual plan is as low as $30 right now.)
Peacock
NBC’s streaming service will give you access to Sunday’s day game. It carries a $8 or $14 monthly charge—and the service has recently done away with its free trial. (The free version of Peacock does not include live sports.)
Disney+
Disney’s bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $17 per month for all three combined (or $30 per month for no ads on Hulu).
Including Live TV in the bundle bumps the price to $77 per month ($90 with no ads).
Hulu with Live TV
The free trial on this service lasts three days. Afterward, it will cost you $77 per month.
YouTubeTV
After a free trial, you can expect monthly charges of $73.
Sling TV
Dish Network’s Sling lower-tiered “Orange” plan will run you $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” plan bumps the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial has disappeared, unfortunately.
DirecTV Stream
Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service will run you $80 per month and up after the free trial option. (The package that includes NFL Network will run you $99 per month.)
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 $80 and up, depending on the channels you choose.
Can I watch the NFL games on Amazon?
Not during the playoffs. Prime Video subscribers will be able to watch again next season on Thursdays.
Does the NFL offer any viewing packages to watch the games I want?
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+
Watch live local and out of market games and (with the premium subscription) replays. There’s a seven-day free trial, after which you’re looking at a charge of $6.99 per month (including NFL Network). It’s $14.99 per month for premium, which includes NFL Network and RedZone.
NFL Sunday Ticket
As mentioned above, YouTube has taken over broadcast duties for this channel, replacing DirecTV. With the current offered discounts, prices on the service (and the optional NFL Red Zone) currently range from $300 to $439 for the season.
