How to watch, stream NFL wild card playoff football games live online free without cable: Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN

The road to the Super Bowl is entering its last miles.

Wild card playoffs begin this week, the first in a three-week process to winnow down the search for who will play in the NFL’s most important game. And while there are some teams no one expected would be a part of the postseason after the year’s first kickoff (yes, we’re looking at you, Las Vegas Raiders), there are several vying for wildcard spots that many expected would be enjoying a bye week about now.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for example, who dominated in last year’s Super Bowl, are fighting the Philadelphia Eagles for a spot. And the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills will duke it out in Buffalo on Saturday.

Seeing as COVID levels are still at all-time highs, heading down to the local sports bar still might not hold much appeal. And kids (or spouses) can make the living room less than optimal. Looking to stream the games or not sure who’s playing when? We’ve got a look at the matchups—and several different options for viewing.

Which NFL teams are playing this week? And what channels are airing the games?

Here’s a look at who’s playing who this week. (The home team is listed second.)

Saturday, Jan. 15

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m. ET on CBS

Sunday, Jan. 16

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox

San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC

Monday, Jan. 17

Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC

How can I watch the NFL playoffs for free—even if I am out of market?

The best way to watch any sort of network programming for free on a big screen is with a good HD antenna. And NFL games are one of the easiest to view, since they air on broadcast networks, meaning you’ll be able to watch even if you don’t have a cable subscription. To ensure you’re getting the most reliable signal, be sure to test the antenna in multiple locations in your home.

How can I stream the NFL playoffs live online if I don’t have a cable subscription?

You’ve got lots of options at your fingertips.

Peacock

NBC’s streaming service will give you access to Sunday night games and others aired on that network. You can get a seven-day free trial, followed by a $5 or $10 monthly charge. (The free version of Peacock does not include live sports.)

Paramount+

CBS’s streaming service will give you access to games aired on that network. You can get a one-month free trial, followed by a $6 monthly charge.

Hulu with Live TV

You can try the service free for a week. Once that’s up, you’ll pay $65 per month.

YouTubeTV

After a two-week trial, you can expect monthly charges of $65.

Sling TV

Dish Network’s Sling lower tiered “Orange” plan will run you $35 per month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” plan bumps the cost to $50-per-month. You’ll have a 7-day free trial first—and right now, the cord cutting service is dropping the first month’s bill to $10.

AT&T TV

Formerly known as DirecTV Now and AT&T TVNow, AT&T’s streaming service will run you $70 per month and up. There is no longer a free trial option.

Disney+

Disney’s bundle of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ can be enjoyed for free for seven days, after which you’ll pay $13.99 per month for all three combined

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 $65 to $80, depending on the channels you choose.