Just as every family has Thanksgiving traditions, so too does the NFL.
And as certain as Aunt Margaret’s sweet potato pie is at your family gathering, it’s just as much a sure thing that the Detroit Lions will be on the gridiron.
So as the smell of turkey begins to envelop the house and more and more people sneak into the kitchen for a preview of the day’s meal, enjoy some leisure time on the couch to catch a game as the playoff season begins to heat up.
One reminder, though: Amazon, despite its new contract, will not be airing the evening game tonight. Instead, it will air a special Friday night game this year.
Here's a look at who's playing today—and several different ways to watch the games.
Which NFL teams are playing this week? And what channels are airing the games?
Thanksgiving NFL games don’t compete against each other. Each airs in a different time slot, giving fans the opportunity to see all three—or offering people an excuse to sneak away if the family dinner is a bit too … spirited.
Thursday, Nov. 23
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions, 12:30 a.m. ET on Fox
Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
Friday, Nov. 24
Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets, 3:00 p.m. ET on Amazon
How can I watch NFL games for free—even if I am out of market?
It’s simple on Thanksgiving. Almost every NFL game can be watched without a cable subscription, though you do need to be in the right market to catch them. The best way to do that (and watch any sort of network programming) for free on a big screen is with a good HD antenna. To ensure you're getting the most reliable signal, be sure to test the antenna in multiple locations in your home. On Friday, your only chance to catch the game over the air is if you live in the broadcast area of either team.
Can I stream NFL games live online if I don't have a cable subscription?
Again, on Thursday… yes. There are a number of options (listed below). On Friday, though, your only online option is Amazon.
Peacock
NBC’s streaming service will give you access to several games, including tonight’s contest and all upcoming Sunday night matchups. You can get a seven-day free trial, followed by a $6 or $12 monthly charge. (The free version of Peacock does not include live sports.)
Disney+
Disney's bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $15 per month for all three combined (or $25 per month for no ads on Hulu).
Including Live TV in the bundle bumps the price to $77 per month ($90 with no ads).
Hulu with Live TV
The free trial on this service is no longer offered, as well. It will now cost you $77 per month.
YouTubeTV
After up to a two-week trial, you can expect monthly charges of $73. YouTube is also now the home of Sunday Ticket. Prices on that service currently range from $300 to $439 for the season, with the current discounts.
Sling TV
Dish Network's Sling lower-tiered "Orange" plan will run you $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive "Blue" plan bumps the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial has disappeared, but the cord-cutting service is offering 50% off of the first month’s bill.
DirecTV Stream
Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service will run you $75 per month and up after the free trial option.
Fubo TV
This sports-focused cord-cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. There's a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $75 and up, depending on the channels you choose.
Can I watch the NFL games on Amazon?
Sensing a theme here? While you can usually watch Thursday Night Football on Amazon, that’s not the case on Thanksgiving. This year, though, the streaming network will exclusively carry a Black Friday game. Things return to normal next week, when the Seattle Seahawks square off against the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 30, airing on Amazon.
Does the NFL offer any viewing packages to watch the games I want?
You’ve got a trio of options.
NFL App
The NFL App will let you stream games that are being broadcast locally in your market on Sundays. If you want to watch an "out of market" game, you've got two choices.
NFL+
Watch live local and out of market games and (with the premium subscription) replays. There's a seven-day free trial, after which you're looking at a charge of $6.99 per month (including NFL Network). ($14.99 per month for premium, which includes NFL Network and RedZone.)
NFL Sunday Ticket
As mentioned above, YouTube has taken over broadcast duties for this channel, replacing DirecTV. With the current offered discounts, prices on the service (and the optional NFL Red Zone) currently range from $300 to $439 for the season.
