How to Watch NFL Games: A Comprehensive Guide
The National Football League (NFL) is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world, with millions of fans tuning in each week to watch their favorite teams compete. If you’re new to the NFL or just looking for a refresher on how to watch games, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know.
Ways to Watch NFL Games
There are several ways to watch NFL games, depending on your preferences and budget.
- Over-the-air: Local broadcast networks (CBS, Fox, NBC) air a limited number of games each week, usually featuring teams from their local markets. To watch these games, you’ll need a TV with an antenna.
- Cable or satellite: Cable and satellite providers offer a variety of packages that include NFL games. The most popular option is NFL RedZone, which shows live look-ins at every game around the league.
- Streaming services: There are several streaming services that offer NFL games, including Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and ESPN+. These services typically require a monthly subscription fee.
- NFL Game Pass: NFL Game Pass is the official streaming service of the NFL. It offers access to every NFL game, live and on demand, as well as exclusive content. NFL Game Pass is available as a monthly or annual subscription.
What Channels Show NFL Games?
The following channels show NFL games:
- CBS: Sundays at 1:00 PM and 4:25 PM ET
- Fox: Sundays at 1:00 PM and 4:25 PM ET
- NBC: Sundays at 8:20 PM ET
- ESPN: Mondays at 8:15 PM ET
- NFL Network: Thursdays at 8:20 PM ET, Saturdays at 8:15 PM ET, and Sundays at 1:00 PM ET
- Amazon Prime Video: Thursdays at 8:20 PM ET
- Hulu: Sundays at 1:00 PM and 4:25 PM ET (out-of-market games only)
- ESPN+: Mondays at 8:15 PM ET (out-of-market games only)
- NFL Game Pass: Every NFL game, live and on demand
NFL Game Times
NFL games are typically played on Sundays at 1:00 PM and 4:25 PM ET. There are also games on Mondays at 8:15 PM ET and Thursdays at 8:20 PM ET.
NFL Schedule
The NFL regular season runs from September to December. The playoffs begin in January and culminate in the Super Bowl, which is held in February.
The NFL schedule is released in April. You can find the full schedule on the NFL website.
NFL Standings
The NFL standings are used to determine which teams qualify for the playoffs. The standings are based on win-loss records.
You can find the NFL standings on the NFL website.
NFL Playoff Format
The NFL playoffs consist of 14 teams: the winners of each of the four divisions in each conference (AFC and NFC), plus two wild-card teams from each conference.
The playoffs are a single-elimination tournament. The top seed in each conference receives a bye in the first round.
The playoffs culminate in the Super Bowl, which is held on the first Sunday in February.
NFL Betting
NFL betting is a popular way for fans to add some excitement to the games. There are a variety of different types of NFL bets, including:
- Point spread: This is the most popular type of NFL bet. The point spread is a number set by oddsmakers that indicates how many points they expect the favorite to win by.
- Moneyline: This is a bet on which team will win the game.
- Over/under: This is a bet on whether the total number of points scored in the game will be over or under a certain number.
You can place NFL bets at online sportsbooks or at casinos.
NFL Fantasy Football
NFL fantasy football is a game where players create a team of real NFL players and compete against each other based on their players’ statistical performance.
Fantasy football can be played online or in person. There are a variety of different fantasy football formats, including:
- Standard: This is the most popular fantasy football format. Players score points based on their players’ statistics, such as passing yards, rushing touchdowns, and interceptions.
- Points-per-reception (PPR): This format awards points for receptions.
- Auction: This format allows players to bid on players in a live auction draft.
You can find fantasy football leagues to join online or in your local community.
NFL Glossary
Here is a glossary of some common NFL terms:
- Blitz: A defensive play in which all or most of the defensive players rush the quarterback.
- End zone: The area at each end of the field where touchdowns are scored.
- Field goal: A kick that is worth three points.
- Fumble: A drop of the football by a player who is carrying it.
- Interception: A catch of a pass by a defensive player.
- Penalty: A violation of the rules that results in a loss of yards or a change of possession.
- Punt: A kick that is used to give up possession of the ball to the other team.
- Quarterback: The offensive player who calls the plays and throws the football.
- Touchdown: A score that
