The opening game pomp and circumstance is over. The Chiefs and Taylor Swift welcomed YouTube to the growing collection of streaming services to exclusively air an NFL game. Now it’s time for the league to get back to normal – with a slew of over the air matches to kick off the 2025-2026 season.
Whether you’ll be overwhelmed by couch gravity or take in the action at your favorite sports bar with friends and Fantasy Football cohorts, opening weekend is a big deal for NFL fans. It’s the end of a long, hot, pigskin-free summer. And, at this point, anyone has a chance to make it to the Super Bowl, even longshots like the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants or New Orleans Saints.
There are, once again, new rules along with new players. Here’s how best to catch the remainder of the opening weekend games.
Which NFL teams are playing this week? And what channels are airing the games?
There’s a wide spectrum to choose from today. As always, the home team is listed second.
Sunday, Sept. 7
Miami Dolphins vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Jets, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Carolina Panthers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox
Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox
Las Vegas Raiders vs. New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox
Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS
Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS
Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
Monday, Sept. 8
Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears, 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN
How can I watch NFL games for free—even if I am out of market?
The best way to 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 2025-2026 NFL games live online if I don’t have a cable subscription?
Yep—and you’ve got several choices.
Peacock
NBC’s streaming service will give you access to several games, including all upcoming Sunday night matchups. Expect to pay an $8 or $14 monthly charge. (The service has recently done away with its free trial. An annual plan starts at $80.)
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 and Disney+).
Hulu with Live TV
This service is going away soon, but for now, you can sign up for $83 per month (with ads) or $95 per month without ads.
YouTubeTV
After a free trial, you can expect monthly charges of $83.
Sling TV
Dish Network’s Sling lower-tiered “Orange” plan will run you $46 per month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” plan bumps the cost to $61 per month. The seven-day free trial has disappeared, but you can buy a Day Pass, giving you 24-hours of Live TV for $5.
DirecTV Stream
Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service will run you $85 per month and up after the free trial option. (The package that includes NFL Network will run you $90 per month.)
Fubo TV
Another option whose lifespan is limited, this sports-focused cord-cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. There’s a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $85 and up, depending on the channels you choose.
Can I watch NFL games on Amazon?
Amazon will, for the fourth year in a row, be the home of Thursday Night Football. As always, there are exceptions. It once again won’t air any games on Thanksgiving, but will once again carry a Black Friday game. The first matchup on Amazon this year will be the Washington Commanders facing the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 11. Amazon will also host a Christmas Day game, with the Denver Broncos meeting Kansas City Chiefs, as well as a Wild card playoff game on Jan. 10 or 11.
Does the NFL offer any viewing packages to watch the games I want?
It does. You have three to choose from.
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. You’re looking at a $50 charge per season. ($100 for premium.)
NFL Sunday Ticket
YouTube once again is the home for this channel. Prices this year start at $83 per month for Sunday Ticket and YouTubeTV or $480 for just Sunday Ticket, if you’re a returning user (spanning the entirety of out-of-market games this season). New users can get a standalone Sunday Ticket subscription for $276.
What are this year’s new rules?
After changing how kickoffs occurred last year, the NFL is making a few more tweaks in 2025-2026. After a touchback, the ball will now be placed on the 35-yard line, instead of the 25-yard line.
Onside kick rules are being adjusted as well. Teams will still have to declare their intention, but they can now make them at any point in the game, instead of just in the fourth quarter.
Overtime will be a bit different. Both teams will get a chance to possess the ball, even if the first team scores. (This, previously, was only the case in the postseason.) Overtime periods, also, will be limited to 10 minutes.
