Thursday was all about Taylor Swift’s sideshow. On Friday, the new reality of streaming service exclusives became a reality. Today… today, football – as longtime fans know it – is officially back.
The Sunday (and Monday) tradition of cozying up on the couch or at the local bar with friends and fellow fantasy football players returns as the opening weekend of the 2024 NFL season culminates. The Chiefs may be hoping for their third consecutive Super Bowl victory, but there are 31 other teams looking to dethrone them.
There are new rules, new players and new highlights, but that doesn’t dampen fans’ excitement. Here’s how to watch the rest of the opening weekend’s games.
Which NFL teams are playing this week? And which channels are broadcasting the games?
There is a lot to choose from today. As always, the home team is in second place.
Sunday, September 8
Charlotte Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox
Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox
New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox
Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Arizona Cardinals vs. Buffalo Bills, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Tennessee Titans vs. Chicago Bears, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS
Dallas Cowboys vs. Cleveland Browns, 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox
Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox
Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
Monday, September 9
New York Jets vs. San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN
How can I watch NFL games for free even if I’m not in my market?
The best way to watch all kinds of network programs on a big screen for free is with a good HD antenna. To make sure you get the most reliable signal, test the antenna in several places in your home.
Can I stream the 2024 NFL games live online if I don’t have a cable subscription?
Yes – and you have several options.
peacock
NBC’s streaming service gives you access to multiple games, including all upcoming Sunday night games, and is priced at $8 or $14 per month. (The free version of Peacock does not include live sports.)
Disney+
The Disney bundle with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $17 per month for all three combined (or $30 per month without ads on Hulu).
If live TV is included in the package, the price increases to $77 per month ($90 without ads).
Hulu with Live TV
The free trial of this service lasts three days. After that, it costs $77 per month.
YouTubeTV
After a free trial, you can expect to pay monthly fees of $73.
Sling TV
Dish Network’s Sling Orange plan costs $40 per month. The more comprehensive Blue plan increases the cost to $55 per month. Unfortunately, the seven-day free trial has been eliminated.
DirecTV Stream
Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service costs $80 per month and up after the free trial. (The package that includes NFL Network costs $99 per month.)
Fubo TV
This sports-focused cable TV service offers TV channels in most markets. There is a seven-day free trial, after which there are monthly fees of $80 and up, depending on the channels you choose.
Can I watch NFL games on Amazon?
Yes, but not today. Amazon will once again be the home of Thursday Night Football, with the exception of Thanksgiving (though it will air a game on Black Friday). The first matchup on Amazon this year is the Buffalo Bills taking on the Miami Dolphins on September 12.
Does the NFL offer special broadcast packages that allow me to watch the games I want to see?
That’s right. You have the choice between three.
NFL-App
The NFL-App allows you to stream games that are broadcast locally in your market on Sundays. If you want to watch a game “outside your market,” you have two options.
NFL+
Watch local and away games live and (with the Premium subscription) replays. Expect to pay a $50 fee per season ($100 for Premium).
NFL Sunday Ticket
YouTube is once again the home of this channel, with prices starting at $73 per month this year for Sunday Ticket and YouTubeTV, or $119.75 per month ($479 per year) for Sunday Ticket only, which covers all games this season that are not in the respective market.
What is this new kick-off rule all about?
The NFL is conducting a year-long experiment this season in which all members of the kicking and receiving teams (except the kicker and returner) stand within a 10-yard zone on the field. Only the kicker and the two returners are allowed to move until the ball touches the ground or is touched by a returner within the 20-yard zone.
Kicks that reach the end zone in the air can be returned or called a touchback and possession at the 30-yard line. If a ball hits the ground (or a player) before the end zone and enters the end zone, the touchback occurs at the 20-yard line. The kick can still be returned.
Onside kicks can no longer be a surprise, as the trailing team must announce plans for such an attempt – and only in the fourth quarter.
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