Cutting cable doesn't mean cutting football. Here's exactly which streaming services carry NFL games this season, what they cost, and which games each one covers — no bundles you don't need, no guesswork.
The main options
YouTube TV carries your local CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN affiliates, which covers the vast majority of nationally broadcast games plus your regional Sunday afternoon games. It's the closest thing to a traditional cable replacement.
NFL+ (the league's own app) streams every out-of-market preseason game and in-market regular season games on your phone or tablet, plus condensed replays. It does not include live out-of-market regular-season games on a TV screen — that restriction comes from broadcast rights agreements, not the app itself.
Prime Video holds the exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football. If you already pay for Amazon Prime, this is included at no extra cost.
Paramount+ and Peacock carry select simulcasts of CBS and NBC games respectively, including a small number of exclusive streaming-only games each season.
What actually matters when choosing
- Which teams you follow. If your team is often on Sunday Night Football (NBC) or Thursday Night Football (Prime Video), your choice is largely made for you.
- Blackout rules still exist for some local broadcasts. A streaming subscription doesn't override regional blackout restrictions tied to your location.
- You don't need more than one service for most fans. YouTube TV alone covers the majority of a typical season for viewers who mainly watch nationally broadcast games.
Bottom line
For most people, YouTube TV plus an existing Prime membership covers close to a full season. Add NFL+ only if you specifically want condensed replays or out-of-market mobile viewing. There's no single "best" answer — it depends on which broadcast networks carry your team most often.
Following more than one sport? The coverage breakdown is different for watching NBA games without cable — it's worth checking separately rather than assuming the same subscriptions cover both.