The 2026-27 NFL regular season kicks off this Sunday, and fans without a traditional cable subscription have more ways than ever to watch — provided they know where to look.
The headline matchup of the early slate pits Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills against CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans at 1:00 p.m., a game many are already framing as a potential preview of the AFC championship. The Texans’ top-ranked defense will be tested by Buffalo’s offense in what could be an early measuring-stick contest.
Later, the evening lineup features four games, headlined by an NFC East showdown between the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is looking to build on his standout 2024 rookie campaign, while Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are chasing a third straight division title.
Where the Games Are Airing
Sunday’s games will be broadcast across CBS, Paramount+, and FOX, with NBC and Peacock continuing their run as home to Sunday Night Football. The NFL’s own website offers a tool letting fans check which games are available in their specific region across every platform carrying NFL content.
The Cowboys-Giants matchup on Sunday Night Football will be available on NBC, Peacock, and NFL+.
Cord-Free Viewing Options
Fans who’ve cut the cord aren’t out of luck. Live TV streaming services remain the most straightforward way to watch broadcast football without a traditional pay-TV package:
- DIRECTV offers a five-day free trial, with flexible Genre Pack subscriptions starting at $19.99/month.
- Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV all carry FOX and CBS live streams, with YouTube, Hulu, and Fubo offering free trials for new subscribers.
- FOX One, priced at $19.99/month, carries FOX’s NFL games along with news and entertainment programming, and currently offers a three-day free trial. It can also be bundled with ESPN Unlimited for $39.99/month.
Viewers with an active cable login can also stream CBS or FOX games directly through FOXSports.com or the CBS website, though the specific game offered depends on regional broadcast rights — a coverage map is available at 506sports.com.
Paramount+ and NFL+
Every CBS game is also streamable on Paramount+, which offers two tiers: the ad-supported Essential plan at $8.99/month and the ad-free Premium plan at $13.99/month, the latter including Showtime content and live CBS. A seven-day free trial is currently available on the Premium tier. Paramount+ can also be added through a Hulu, Amazon, or YouTube account, each offering its own free trial.
For fans who want games on the go, NFL+ streams live local and primetime games on phones and tablets for $6.99/month or $39.99/year. The NFL+ Premium tier, which adds NFL RedZone, runs $14.99/month or $79.99/year.
With so many competing options, football fans now have real flexibility in choosing how — and how much — they pay to watch the season unfold.
