Broncos at Chiefs locked for CBS national window: here is how to watch live today
The NFL has set the stage. Denver heads into Arrowhead for a high‑stakes AFC West clash, and the broadcast is locked. The Broncos vs Chiefs will air on CBS in the late Sunday national window, with kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET. That gives this rivalry the largest afternoon footprint, and it puts Patrick Mahomes and a surging Denver defense in front of a coast to coast audience. Set your plans now. Here is the cleanest path to the action.
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The broadcast plan
CBS holds rights to Sunday afternoon AFC matchups, and this one gets the marquee late slot. Your local CBS station will carry the game over the air. A simple HDTV antenna will do the job if you are in range of a local transmitter.
Paramount+ will stream the CBS broadcast in most markets. If you are a cord cutter, it is the fastest way to get the game without a cable box. You can also authenticate with your cable or satellite login in the CBS Sports app or on CBS.com if you already pay for a TV bundle.
Live TV streaming services carry CBS in most cities. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, fubo, and DirecTV Stream are all viable. Check your channel lineup by zip code before kickoff. Most of these platforms include cloud DVR. That is useful if pregame runs long or if you want to rewind a big third down.
On streaming apps, set your location permissions and confirm your local CBS station in the app settings. That prevents last minute blackout errors.
The quick streaming guide
If you are in the teams’ home markets, you have the most options. Paramount+, your local CBS over the air, or any live TV streaming bundle that includes CBS will work. On phones and tablets, NFL+ streams your in‑market CBS game live. That is mobile and tablet only, so do not expect to cast to your TV.
Out of market fans need NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube or YouTube TV for Sunday afternoon games not shown in their area. Sunday Ticket unlocks the full game, with DVR and multiview, no matter where you live. You can subscribe through YouTube TV or directly through YouTube Primetime Channels. Always run the zip code check during signup. It ensures you buy what you need for your location.
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VPN use can trigger location errors and blackouts on NFL platforms and network apps. Disable it before you launch the stream to avoid getting shut out.
Cord cutter plays that work
Here are the cleanest paths if you have cut the cord:
- Paramount+, live CBS stream in most markets
- YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, CBS included in many cities
- Antenna for free over the air CBS
- NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube if you are out of market
If you see a local blackout notice, pivot to a different option. For example, switch from a live TV bundle to your antenna, or from a mobile stream on NFL+ to Paramount+ on your TV. Most services offer short trials. That can bridge you through kickoff if your usual setup fails.
What this game means on the field
This rivalry always hums, but the stakes feel sharp today. Kansas City’s offense still runs through Mahomes’ quick processing and Travis Kelce’s option routes. Denver has clawed back its season with discipline, takeaways, and a leaner plan on offense that avoids negative plays. The Broncos will test the middle of the field with timing throws. The Chiefs will stress the edges with motion and speed. Third downs will decide this one. So will red zone defense, where both teams have tightened up late in the year.
Arrowhead’s noise changes games. Silent counts, quick huddles, and receiver splits matter here. Denver must stay ahead of the sticks to keep the Chiefs’ pass rush from pinning ears back. Kansas City will hunt for one explosive play each quarter, then sit on the lead with situational football. That chess match is why the league gave this game the national CBS window. It is the best of the late slate, and it will shape the AFC picture.
Final checks before kickoff
Give yourself five minutes for a tech check. Log in to Paramount+ or your live TV app. Confirm the CBS channel loads. If you are out of market, make sure your Sunday Ticket subscription is active in YouTube’s Library tab. If you are using an antenna, rescan channels for a clean CBS signal. Then settle in. Broncos Country and Chiefs Kingdom rarely disappoint, and this one carries weight. The winner grabs control of the division tone heading into January. Football time. 🏈
