How to Watch the NFL Playoffs Right Now
With the weather at its worst and the football at its best, prepare yourself, your couch and your favorite snacks for the NFL Playoffs. Now that NFL teams have advanced past the opening round Wild Card games, the NFL Playoffs schedule will be broadcast entirely on network television.
Fans have a variety of ways to see their favorite NFL players like Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rogers and Drew Brees, not only on broadcast TV, but through multiple streaming services as well – so long as their favorite players continue to win.
CBS, FOX and NBC handle over-the-air broadcasts for the remaining NFL Playoff schedule. Thanks to a rapid evolution in streaming services and technology, the road to Super Bowl LV can also be tracked live on YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, fubo TV, AT&T TV as well as Sling TV and CBS All Access.
For those of us who need brushing up on our Roman Numerals, “LV” is “55,” we’ll just consider it Super Bowl 2021.
NFL Playoffs – Divisional Round (1/16 and 1/17)
All three networks will be carrying games this weekend with FOX handling the opener – Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay – 4:35 ET kickoff on Saturday, as well as the closer – Tampa Bay at New Orleans – 6:40 ET kickoff Sunday evening.
Old friends Joe Buck and three-time Super Bowl champion Troy Aikman will handle play-by-play and color commentary for the broadcast with FOX offering a Spanish language option for all of its games on FOX Deportes.
NBC has the nightcap on Saturday – Baltimore at Buffalo – with the legendary Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth in the broadcast booth. Spanish language broadcast of this game can be found on Universo.
The defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs begin defense of their title on Sunday the 17th, hosting Cleveland for a 3:05 ET kickoff on CBS. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will call the game with ESPN Deportes providing the Spanish language option.
How to Stream the NFL Playoffs
CBS offers streaming through its CBS All Access service, but streaming for all four games will also be provided through NFL Live on Yahoo Sports and via the NFL app.
Streaming networks will also allow fans to watch the games live. This includes YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, fubo TV as well as NBC’s new Peacock TV for the one game NBC will broadcast.
As a bonus, if NBC’s Bills vs. Ravens game turns out to be a dud, fire up an old episode of “The Office,” “Frazier” or “30 Rock” on Peacock to salvage your Saturday night. Peacock also offers ‘futbol’ fans access to live English Premier League games.
Fubo TV has become a destination for sports fans with its entry-level package offering over 20 sports channels and robust add-ons featuring even more, including international games.
Fubo will stream all NFL Playoff games along with YouTube TV, Hulu for Live TV and AT&T TV. Since Sling TV does not carry CBS, any games broadcast on that network, including the AFC Championship and Super Bowl LV, will not be available.
Not sure your home internet is up to the streaming challenge of the NFL Playoffs? Frontier Communications wants to help. Make sure you have no lag during the biggest moment of the biggest game. Here’s information on how and why to conduct an internet speed test.
The NFL Network will help out fans who miss a game live or want to see one again by offering NFL Playoff game replays throughout the week.
NFL Playoffs – Conference Championships (1/24)
NFC Championship game: 3:05 PM ET kickoff on FOX, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, fuboTV, AT&T TV, Sling TV
AFC Championship game: 6:40 PM ET kickoff on CBS, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, fuboTV, AT&T TV, CBS All Access
Super Bowl LV – (2/7)
Super Bowl LV: 6:30 PM kickoff on CBS, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, fuboTV, AT&T TV, CBS All Access
What about COVID-19?
Despite positive COVID-19 tests from members of the Cleveland Browns prior to their opening weekend Wild Card playoff game, the game was played as scheduled, even without the team’s head coach Kevin Stefanski on the sidelines after he contracted the virus.
With so much on the line, both on the field and off – it goes without saying how lucrative NFL Playoff games are to both the league and its broadcast partners – you can be sure NFL teams are taking every precaution to avoid an outbreak and that NFL Playoff games will be played as scheduled.
While fans will be allowed to attend games in-person, capacity will be severely restricted. The NFL has yet to make a final decision on how many fans it will allow to be inside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida where this year’s big game will be held.
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