Watching NFL games without cable is getting a lot more complicated for the 2022 season. In this article and the featured video below, I’ll simplify it for you.
Sunday Afternoon Games – CBS and FOX
CBS continues to carry AFC games, and FOX has rights to NFC games.
There’s only a streaming alternative for the CBS games. Paramount+ streams the NFL on CBS with all plans, even the $5 a month plan called Essential.
For 24/7 access to your local CBS station, you can opt for the $10 a month Premium plan.
Although FOX owns the free streaming service Tubi, it doesn’t stream NFL games on the service – at least not yet.
The cheapest way to get CBS and FOX is with an antenna. I have a Mohu Leaf indoor antenna.
If you don’t have an antenna, you can get all of your local stations with a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu Live, fuboTV or DIRECTV STREAM.
Sling TV doesn’t have full local coverage, but it’s an affordable option for those with an antenna.
YouTube TV is my #1 pick for NFL fans. In addition to local coverage, it has ESPN, NFL Network and the option to add NFL RedZone for $10.99 per month.
I also like YouTube TV’s easy navigation, unlimited cloud DVR and the key plays feature for sports.
DIRECTV STREAM is the only major live TV streaming service that doesn’t include NFL Network or an add-on for NFL RedZone.
Sunday Night Football – NBC/Peacock Premium
There’s no change with Sunday Night Football for the 2022 season. It airs on NBC and also streams on Peacock to Premium subscribers.
NBC and Peacock also have the NFL Kickoff Game and a Thanksgiving game. See the full schedule.
Monday Night Football – ESPN
Monday Night Football is back on ESPN, which requires a pay-TV subscription.
A few games will also air on ABC. Details here.
Your cheapest option for ESPN is Sling Orange at $35 a month, but that service doesn’t have your local channels.
That’s why a lot of people end up getting YouTube TV or Hulu Live for the NFL season.
IMPORTANT: If you only care about your local team, know that Monday night and Thursday night games are shown on broadcast TV in the cities of the participating teams.
Thursday Night Football – Amazon Prime Video
Thursday Night Football moves from NFL Network and FOX to Amazon Prime Video for the 2022 season and beyond.
There are 15 regular season games on Prime Video, starting September 15.
If you’re not subscribed to Amazon Prime, you can get 30 days free. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
Thursday Night Football also streams free on Amazon-owned Twitch.
NFL Network Games
Aside from preseason games, you’ll need NFL Network for three 2022 International Series games, a Saturday tripleheader and a Christmas Eve game. Learn more here.
ESPN+
ESPN+ has one exclusive game this season in Week 8. That’s on October 30 between the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars.
In addition, ESPN+ will simulcast eight other live NFL games.
| Date | Time (ET) | Network | Matchup |
| Week 1 Monday, Sep 12 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC/ESPN+ | Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks |
| Week 2 Monday, Sep 19 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC/ESPN+ | Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles |
| Week 3 Monday, Sep 26 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC/ESPN+ | Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants |
| Week 8 Sunday, Oct 30 | 9:30 a.m. | Exclusively on ESPN+ | Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars (London game) |
| Week 15 Monday, Dec 19 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC/ESPN+ | Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers |
| Week 17 Monday, Jan 2 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN/ABC/ESPN+ | Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals |
| Week 18 Saturday, Jan 7 | 4:30 p.m. 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC/ESPN+ | Two games to be determined |
| Wild Card Monday, Jan 16 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC/ESPN+ | To be determined |
Super Bowl 2023 – FOX
FOX will carry Super Bowl 2023 on Sunday, February 12. You can stream it through a live TV streaming service that carries FOX, the FOX Sports app or via FOXSports.com.
Streaming the Super Bowl through the FOX Sports app will be free. Normally, a pay-TV login is required.
NFL+
For the regular and postseason, stream live local and primetime games with NFL+ starting at $5 a month. This is for phones and tablets only — not TVs.
A premium version of the service offers the ability to watch ad-free game replays across devices.
NFL Sunday Ticket
DIRECTV satellite customers (not DIRECTV STREAM) get exclusive access to NFL Sunday Ticket for a final season.
This premium service lets you watch out-of-market Sunday games.
A streaming version of NFL Sunday Ticket is available to students, plus some people who live in apartments and condos where DIRECTV isn’t offered.
The NFL is planning to move NFL Sunday Ticket from DIRECTV to a streaming service in 2023.
