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NFL Games Today on TV: Complete Channel Guide 2026, Schedule

NFL games today on TV featuring American football players, stadium lights, and a football broadcast setup.

Kickoff is minutes away, the snacks are out, and you cannot remember whether your team is on CBS, FOX, Prime Video or somewhere new. That panic is far more common this year than it used to be, because the 2026 season carries games across nine different platforms.

This guide fixes that and shows you exactly where to find NFL games today on TV. You will get this week’s lineup, a simple channel map, everything that changed for 2026, and a head-to-head comparison of the streaming services that actually carry the games. Everything below is current as of October 20, 2026, with Week 7 about to begin.

Quick Answer: NFL Games on TV This Week (Week 7, 2026)

Today is Tuesday, so there are no games on the board right now. The next kickoff is Thursday night. Here is the full Week 7 slate (all times Eastern):

DayTime (ET)MatchupChannel / Stream
Thu, Oct 228:15 PMPatriots vs. BearsPrime Video
Sun, Oct 259:30 AMSteelers vs. Saints (Paris)NFL Network, ESPN Unlimited
Sun, Oct 251:00 PMBengals vs. RavensCBS, Paramount+
Sun, Oct 251:00 PMBrowns vs. TitansCBS, Paramount+
Sun, Oct 251:00 PMColts vs. VikingsCBS, Paramount+
Sun, Oct 251:00 PMDolphins vs. JetsCBS, Paramount+
Sun, Oct 251:00 PMGiants vs. TexansFOX, FOX One
Sun, Oct 251:00 PM49ers vs. FalconsFOX, FOX One
Sun, Oct 251:00 PMBuccaneers vs. PanthersFOX, FOX One
Sun, Oct 254:05 PMBroncos vs. CardinalsCBS, Paramount+
Sun, Oct 254:25 PMPackers vs. LionsFOX, FOX One
Sun, Oct 254:25 PMRams vs. RaidersFOX, FOX One
Sun, Oct 258:20 PMChiefs vs. Seahawks (SNF)NBC, Peacock
Mon, Oct 268:15 PMCowboys vs. Eagles (MNF)ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Unlimited

Two cautions. Your local CBS or FOX affiliate will show only some of the Sunday afternoon games, depending on your region. And Sunday Night Football is subject to flexible scheduling, so confirm the matchup in the days before kickoff.

NFL Games Today on TV: Which Network Carries What in 2026

Before 2022, you could find almost any game by checking two or three channels. In 2026, the rights are split among broadcasters and streamers, so the first step is knowing who owns which window.

Nine Platforms Carrying NFL Games Today on TV

Per Sports Media Watch’s 2026 breakdown, games appear on CBS, FOX, ESPN, ABC, NBC, Peacock, Prime Video, Netflix and NFL Network. Each has a clear role:

  • CBS: Sunday afternoon games, streamed on Paramount+.
  • FOX: Sunday afternoon games, streamed on Fox One.
  • NBC: Sunday Night Football, plus the Peacock stream.
  • ESPN and ABC: Monday Night Football and, in February, the Super Bowl.
  • Prime Video: Thursday Night Football.
  • Netflix: A small package of special-event games.
  • NFL Network: International games and a handful of exclusives.
  • Peacock: Every NBC game, plus an exclusive Week 17 window.

How Sunday Afternoon Works: CBS vs. FOX

The Sunday daytime schedule is still the backbone of the week. As a general rule, CBS leans toward AFC teams and FOX leans toward NFC teams, though cross-conference matchups can land on either. Your local market gets priority for the home team, so your affiliate will usually carry your team’s game first.

If you live outside your team’s home market, local TV will not always show the game you want. That gap is exactly what NFL Sunday Ticket fills, which we cover in the comparison below.

Primetime: One Game, One Home

Primetime is simple. Thursday belongs to Prime Video, Sunday night to NBC and Peacock, and Monday to ESPN and ABC. Every market sees the same game, so there is no regional guesswork. This is the easiest way to track NFL games today on TV in any given week.

What’s New: Latest Updates for NFL on TV in 2026

Several big changes make this season different from last year. If your old routine suddenly stopped working, one of these is probably why.

Disney Now Owns NFL Network, and It Changes How You Watch NFL Games on TV

The biggest shift in the NFL TV landscape is behind the scenes. ESPN closed its acquisition of NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators, and the league received a 10% stake in ESPN in return. Today, ESPN produces NFL Network games, and NFL Network is part of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer app, ESPN Unlimited.

NFL Network keeps its seven-game exclusive package, mainly international games and late-season Saturday games, and ESPN licenses additional games for the channel. Monday nights can also split across ABC, ESPN and NFL Network, which is why some Monday broadcasts carry the “MNF Playbook with Next Gen Stats” alternative feed.

Netflix Expands to Five Games

Netflix started with Christmas Day in the past, but its slate has grown under a new media rights agreement. The 2026 package includes the Week 1 game from Melbourne, Australia (49ers vs. Rams), a new Thanksgiving Eve game between the Packers and Rams, two Christmas Day games, and a Saturday game in Week 18.

The Season Opened on a Wednesday

The league could not schedule its usual Friday night game, so the Kickoff Game moved up to Wednesday, September 9, with a Super Bowl LX rematch between the Patriots and Seahawks on NBC and Peacock.

FOX Gets a Christmas Game

FOX will carry a Christmas night game this season, the first on broadcast television since 2023. The Packers-Bears and Bills-Broncos games will stream on Netflix, while Rams-Seahawks lands on FOX.

Fox One and ESPN Unlimited Are Now Core Options

Standalone apps are no longer extras. Fox One carries all FOX games, Paramount+ carries all CBS games, and ESPN Unlimited carries ESPN, ABC and NFL Network, including Super Bowl 61. You can now follow most of the league without a traditional cable package.

Viewership Is Climbing

Sports Media Watch reported this month that Thursday Night Football hit another viewership high in Week 6 with Broncos-Seahawks, and that average NFL viewership is running ahead of last season. More eyes on the product usually means more flex scheduling and bigger primetime matchups as the year goes on.

Weekly NFL TV Schedule: Every Game Window Explained

Once you understand the rhythm of the week, finding NFL games today on TV takes seconds. Here is the standard structure.

Thursday Night Football: NFL Games on TV via Prime Video

Prime Video streams every Thursday game, usually at 8:15 PM ET. This week it is Patriots vs. Bears, and Week 8 brings Panthers vs. Packers on October 29. A standalone Prime Video plan runs about $9 a month, or $15 a month for a full Amazon Prime membership. NFL+ also lets you watch primetime games on a phone or tablet.

Sunday Early and Late Windows (CBS and FOX)

At 1:00 PM ET, the main slate begins.  One or two games start at 4:05 PM or 4:25 PM ET, and that window usually carries the biggest matchup of the afternoon. When the league plays an international game, you will see a 9:30 AM ET kickoff on NFL Network, as with this Sunday’s Steelers-Saints game in Paris.

Sunday Night Football (NBC and Peacock)

SNF kicks off at 8:20 PM ET. This week’s game is Chiefs vs. Seahawks, followed in Week 8 by Eagles vs. Commanders. Because of flexible scheduling, the league can swap in a better game later in the season, so check the listing during the week of the game.

Monday Night Football (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network)

Monday games start at 8:15 PM ET. Cowboys vs. Eagles airs on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network this week, then Bears vs. Seahawks on ESPN on November 2. Streaming is available through ESPN Unlimited, Disney+ for select games, and NFL+.

Saturdays and Holidays

Late in the season, NFL Network and Netflix pick up Saturday games, and Thanksgiving brings a three-game day: Bears-Lions on CBS, Eagles-Cowboys on FOX, and Bills-Chiefs on NBC. Playoffs begin January 16, and Super Bowl 61 on February 14 airs on ESPN and ABC.

Head-to-Head: Best Streaming Services for NFL Games Today on TV

This is where most fans waste money. No single service has every game, so the right choice depends on what you actually watch. Prices below are as listed by Sports Media Watch in October 2026 and can change at any time, so verify before you subscribe.

Live TV Bundles Compared for NFL Games Today on TV

ServicePriceChannels IncludedRedZoneBest For
YouTube TVVaries by planCBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network$10/mo add-onOut-of-market fans; Sunday Ticket (349-489/yr)
Fubo$85/mo baseCBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, NFL NetworkIncluded in Ultimate ($105/mo)Sports-first households
Hulu + Live TVVaries by planCBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network$10/mo add-onHouseholds that also want Disney streaming
Sling (Orange + Blue)$61/moABC (as ESPN3), ESPN, NFL Network$15/mo add-onBudget-conscious viewers
DirecTV MySports$70/moLocal channels and ESPN on the basic tierAdd-onA skinny bundle with locals

Who wins?

  • Best overall: YouTube TV, because it is the home of NFL Sunday Ticket and carries nearly every channel you need.
  • Best for RedZone: Fubo’s Ultimate plan, since RedZone is built in.
  • Best on a budget: Sling, with the caveat that you need both Orange and Blue to get ESPN and NFL Network.
  • Best for locals: DirecTV MySports, a skinny bundle that still includes your CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC stations.

Single-Network Apps for NFL Games on TV

If you only care about certain games, skip the bundle and subscribe to just the apps you need:

AppWhat You GetPrice Notes
Paramount+All CBS gamesNeeded for AFC-heavy Sunday afternoons
Fox OneAll FOX gamesNeeded for NFC-heavy Sunday afternoons
PeacockEvery game on NBC + a special window for Week 17Best value for SNF
Prime VideoAll Thursday Night Football gamesAbout $9/mo standalone, $15/mo with Prime
ESPN UnlimitedNFL Network; local and primetime games for smartphones and tabletsAlso bundled with NFL+
NetflixFive special-event gamesIncluded in a Netflix plan
NFL+Local and primetime games on phone and tablet; NFL NetworkNFL+ Premium ($14.99/mo) adds RedZone on all devices

The verdict: For a fan who follows one team, a Paramount+ or Fox One subscription (plus Prime Video for Thursdays) often costs far less than a live TV bundle. For a fan who wants every window, YouTube TV with Sunday Ticket remains the most complete setup.

How to Watch NFL Games Today on TV for Free (or Close to It)

You do not have to pay for everything. A few legitimate shortcuts:

  1. Use a digital antenna. An inexpensive antenna picks up your local CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC stations for free, covering most Sunday games, Sunday Night Football and some Monday games.
  2. Use NFL+ on mobile. It streams local and primetime games on your phone or tablet, though not on your living room TV.
  3. Rotate subscriptions. Pay for Peacock or Paramount+ only in the weeks you need them, then cancel.
  4. Look for free trials. Many services offer them, which is useful for testing a bundle during a big week.

The one thing a free antenna will not give you is Thursday Night Football or ESPN-exclusive broadcasts, since those live behind Prime Video and ESPN respectively.

What’s Coming Next: Week 8 and the Holiday Run

If you are planning ahead, here is the next stretch:

  • Thursday, October 29: Panthers vs. Packers on Prime Video.
  • Sunday, November 1: Cardinals-Cowboys, Falcons-Buccaneers, Raiders-Jets and Vikings-Lions on FOX. Ravens-Bills, Browns-Steelers, Colts-Jaguars and Titans-Bengals on CBS. Chiefs-Broncos and Patriots-Dolphins in the late window on CBS. Eagles-Commanders on NBC at 8:20 PM ET.
  • Monday, November 2: Bears vs. Seahawks on ESPN.
  • Thursday, November 5: Jaguars vs. Ravens on Prime Video.
  • Thanksgiving, November 26: Three games across CBS, FOX and NBC.
  • Christmas, December 25: One game on FOX and two on Netflix.

Pro Tips to Never Miss NFL Games on TV Again

  • Check the listing the week of the game. Flex scheduling can change Sunday night matchups.
  • Keep one backup option. A digital antenna saves you when your internet drops mid-quarter.
  • Match your subscription to your team. AFC fans lean on Paramount+, and NFC fans lean on Fox One.
  • Watch the kickoff times. Games at 9:30 AM, 4:05 PM and 4:25 PM ET catch people off guard, especially across time zones.
  • Set app alerts. The NFL app and your streaming apps can notify you of schedule shifts.

Final Whistle: Your Game Plan for NFL Games Today on TV

Following NFL games today on TV has never been easier to understand and never been harder to pay for. Once you know the map (CBS and FOX on Sunday afternoons, NBC on Sunday night, ESPN and ABC on Monday, Prime Video on Thursday, plus Netflix and NFL Network for unique games), you can quickly locate any matchup. 

Start with the Week 7 table above, pick the services that fit your team, and avoid paying for platforms you will not use. The next kickoff is Thursday at 8:15 PM ET, so now is the time to get your setup ready.