BREAKING: Here’s exactly where to find NFL games on TV today, and how to stream them fast
The NFL hits a pivotal Week 16 window today. Playoff races are tight. Every snap matters. I have the full broadcast plan laid out, so you can lock in your channel, set your stream, and keep both eyes on the action.
Where to watch today’s slate
CBS and Fox split the Sunday afternoon schedule, early and late. Your specific game depends on your market. Most fans will see one early kickoff at 1 p.m. ET and one late game at 4:05 or 4:25 p.m. ET. The split is by region, so your local CBS or Fox affiliate will carry the game that involves your nearest team or the top national draw in that window.
Sunday Night Football is on NBC in prime time. That slot often features a playoff decider or a quarterback duel with real seeding weight. Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, with many weeks also simulcast on ABC. In Week 16, late-season flex moves can shuffle a big matchup into the national windows. Check your local listings near kickoff for any fresh moves.
Out of market Sunday afternoon games are available with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. That is the league’s only out of market package for those windows. If you are in market, your local affiliates have you covered.
Flex scheduling can change late in Week 16. If a matchup was moved into prime time, your afternoon lineup may shift as well.
How the TV map shakes out
The coverage map is the key. Here is how today usually breaks down.
- CBS and Fox split 1 p.m. ET games and the 4 p.m. ET window.
- NBC handles Sunday night, nationwide, on broadcast TV.
- ESPN, often with ABC, carries Monday night in prime time.
- NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV covers out of market Sunday afternoon games.
Local affiliates control which CBS or Fox game you see based on league assignments. If your home team plays at the same time as a larger national game, the home team takes priority in your market.
Blackout and in market rules still apply. Sunday Ticket does not show your local game. Use your local CBS or Fox station or the network app tied to that station.
Cord cutters, here’s your playbook
You can stream today’s action without cable. The linchpin is having the right service for your local stations and national partners.
- Paramount Plus streams local CBS games in many markets.
- Fox Sports app streams with a pay TV login, or use a live TV service that carries your local Fox.
- Peacock streams NBC’s Sunday night game in local markets.
- ESPN app streams Monday night with TV login. ABC is on most live TV bundles.
Live TV bundles like YouTube TV, Fubo, Hulu Live, and Sling can cover your locals, depending on your city. If you need out of market Sunday afternoon games, Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV is your path.
Confirm your ZIP code inside your streaming app before kickoff. That ensures you get the correct local feed and avoids game start surprises.
Bettors and DFS players, manage the clock
This is a sharp week for late swaps and live edges. Weather is a factor in some northern sites as December bites. Watch inactives 90 minutes before each kickoff. If your player is tied to a local CBS or Fox game you cannot view, build a backup player in the opposite window so you have a pivot.
Strong defenses often tilt the late window under, especially in cold outdoor stadiums. In DFS, stack the cleanest weather spot and protect yourself with a late flex option. In betting, shop the injury reports and be ready to act if a top corner or left tackle is ruled out near the inactives deadline.
What it means on the field
Week 16 is the pressure cooker. Veterans will shorten routes on timing throws. Coaches will call fourth and short like it is March, not December. Expect heavy doses of scripted plays early, then counter punches after halftime when coordinators adjust. In these late weeks, pass rush travels. The offensive lines that protect on third and medium decide playoff seeding.
Culture matters too. Teams with young quarterbacks often feed their tight ends to calm the pocket. Road teams lean on special teams to flip the field. Watch for two point tries when wind challenges the longer extra point. The margins get thin. Field position is king.
Final whistle
You have the broadcast roadmap. CBS and Fox own the afternoon, NBC carries the night, and ESPN, often with ABC, closes the week on Monday. Use your local affiliate, your streaming app, or Sunday Ticket for out of market. Lineups lock 90 minutes before kick. Keep one eye on inactives and one on your remote. The path to January is on your screen today.
