We’re getting down to the wire. There are just two weeks left in the 2019 NFL season and playoff spots are getting scarce.
The 49ers, Seahawks, Packers, Bills and Patriots all secured postseason spots last week—and are now fighting to secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage. Wild card slots are still anybody’s guess.
It’s not a week where you’ll want to miss a game, 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?
The NFL action couldn’t be contained to Sunday this week. Three key games were played Saturday that could impact the way the playoffs shape up.
Here’s a look who’s playing this week. (The home team is listed second.)
Sunday, December 22
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Jets, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
New Orleans Saints vs. Tennesse Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox
Carolina Panthers vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Miami Dolphins, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox
New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox
Detroit Lions vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS
Oakland Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS
Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Chicago Bears, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
Monday, December 23
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings, 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.
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. Amazonstruck 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.