How to Watch NFL Games on Thanksgiving Day Live Without Cable

This Thanksgiving, fans across the country will be celebrating food, family, and football when the NFL kicks off with a full slate of holiday matchups. The NFL holiday tradition began in 1920, with the Detroit Lions hosting a game becoming a staple in 1934, while the Dallas Cowboys have hosted a game since 1966. The feast of games continues this year with 5-teams that are currently in the playoff picture and a Lions team that is trying to turn their season around.

When to Watch & What to Know

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Buffalo Bills at Detriot Lions

Time and Channel: 12:30 p.m. ET - CBS

After a Week 10 win at Ford Field, Josh Allen, and the 7-3 Bills are looking to win back-to-back games at the home of the Lions. The Bills Week 10 game against the Browns was relocated to Detroit due to inclement weather in Buffalo, which featured thundersnow and the Bills stampeded to a 31-23 win. They're currently in second place in the AFC East and would have the 5th seed in the conference if the playoffs started today. The Bills are 5-4-1 in Turkey Day appearances with their most recent game coming in 2021.

After beginning the season 1-6, the Lions are trying to turn their season around after winning their last 3-games with their most recent win, a 31-18 victory over the New York Giants. Jared Goff and the 4-6 Lions are 2-3 at home but have outscored their opponents 77 to 57 during their streak. With 82 games played on Thanksgiving Day, the most of any team, the Lions are 37-43-2 and haven't won on the holiday since 2016 when they defeated the Vikings, 16-13.

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

Time and Channel: 4:30 p.m. ET - FOX

Saquon Barkley and the 7-3 New York Giants travel to Jerry World to take on Dak Prescott and the 7-3 Cowboys in an NFC East divisional matchup. The Giants are coming off an embarrassing loss against the Lions but they're 3-1 on the road. Over 15 appearances on Thanksgiving, the G-men are 7-5-3, with their last appearance coming in 2017. They are on the losing side in the Giants-Cowboys rivalry, with Dallas winning the all-time series 72-47-2.

At 7-3, the Cowboys are coming off a dominating 40-3 road win against the Vikings heading into Thursday's contest. With a 4-1 record at home, the Cowboys are looking to expand their divisional lead over Big Blue with a win. America's Team has hosted a game on Thanksgiving since 1966 (except in 1975 and 1977), with a 31-22-1 record on the holiday. The last victory for Big D on Turkey Day came in 2018 against Washington.

New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings

Time and Channel: 8:20 p.m. ET - NBC

After getting blowout by the Cowboys in Week 10, the 8-2 Vikings are hosting a Bill Belichick-led 6-4 Patriots team to cap off Thanksgiving night. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins has historically struggled in national games with a career record of 11-18. The Vikings QB is 3-4 on Thursdays and is coming off one of the worst games of his career. As a team, the Vikings are 6-2 on Thanksgiving with their last appearance coming in 2017, in which they defeated the Lions, 30-23.  in the NFC, they're in second place and a game behind the Eagles for the top seed if the playoffs started today; however, the Eagles own the tiebreaker.

With a 3-2 record on Thanksgiving, the 6-4 Patriots are returning on the holiday for the first time since 2012. They've won 5 of their last 6 games and are currently on a 3-game winning streak. The AFC East is one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, and the Patriots are in third place in the division, which is good enough for the 6th seed in the conference if the playoffs began today. A win and Bills loss could make things interesting as both teams try to catch up with the first-place Dolphins.

Find out how to watch all of the NFL games live on Thanksgiving Day, below.

How to Watch 2022 NFL Regular Season Games Live

During the regular season, NFL games will air on various networks, which most fans can watch on their favorite streaming service. Some games will air nationally on NFL Network, ESPN, FOX, CBS, and Prime Video. Check out the chart below to see if your streaming service carries live NFL games.

*in select locations

Watch NFL Games Live for Free

Catch live regular season games on FOX, NBC, CBS, and ABC by watching with an antenna. AntennaWeb is a great tool you can use to see which network affiliate is available in your area with an antenna.

Watch NFL Games Live on NFL+

Throughout the season, NFL+, the official over-the-top subscription service of the National Football League, will be streaming live NFL games and replays. The service will carry in-market games on mobile devices, streams of out-of-market preseason games, the NFL Film's library, and NFL Network.

For $4.99 per month, or $39.99 per year, subscribers get access to the following: live local and primetime games on mobile and tablet devices, live out-of-market preseason games across all devices, live game audio (home, away and national calls) for every game of the season, and NFL library programming on-demand (ad-free).

Upgrade to NFL+ Premium to unlock more for $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year: All features of NFL+, full game replays across devices (ad-free), condensed game replays across devices (ad-free), and coaches Film including All-22

Watch NFL Games Live on DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM includes over 75 channels with its Entertainment plan for $69.99. Subscribers can watch live NFL games throughout the regular season on FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC, and ESPN. A subscription includes unlimited DVR storage and there are no hidden fees, or required annual contracts. For a limited time, eligible subscribers can get 3 months of Showtime, Starz, Epix, and Cinemax for free.

With DIRECTV STREAM users get a 5-day free trial, and for a limited time, new subscribers can save $40 across two months.

Watch NFL Games Live on fuboTV

For $69.99 per month, subscribers in select markets can watch live NFL games on ESPN, NFL Network, ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC on fuboTV with their Pro plan. The sports-first streaming offers over 100 channels with their Pro plan, which includes over 100 sporting events, the ability to watch on unlimited screens, and 1000 hours of DVR space, which means you can record and rewatch your favorite shows and all of this year's games.

Watch NFL Games Live on Hulu + Live TV 

On Hulu + Live TV, cord cutters can watch live NFL games on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network. The service carries over 75 channels with the base plan of $69.99 per month, plus ESPN+, Disney+, unlimited DVR storage and it allows users to watch on 2 screens simultaneously.

Watch NFL Games Live on Sling TV

Sling TV is the most affordable way to watch live NFL games. With a Sling Orange & Blue subscription, subscribers can watch live NFL games on FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network for only $55 per month. You can get 50% off your first month for a limited time.

Watch NFL Games Live on YouTube TV

Subscribers to YouTube TV are able to watch live NFL games on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN and NFL Network for $64.99 per month. The streaming service has over 85 channels, users can stream up to 3 devices simultaneously, and it includes unlimited DVR so you can record every game and more.

Watch NFL Games Live on Prime Video

Prime subscribers can watch Thursday Night Football live, hit shows, and thousands of movies on Amazon Prime Video. For $14.99 per month or $139 per year, you can unlock everything Amazon offers with an Amazon Prime Membership, which includes free same-day, one-day, or two-day shipping, Prime Music, Prime Video, and much more. Eligible subscribers can also take advantage of a 30-day free trial.

Prime Video is also available as a standalone service for non-Prime members, so you can watch live NFL games and stream all the content available on the streamer for only $8.99 per month and it comes with a 30-day free trial for eligible subscribers.

Watch NFL Games Live on Peacock

Subscribers to Peacock can stream live NFL games throughout the season. The service will be home to weekly Sunday Night Football which fans can stream for throughout the season live with a Peacock Premium subscription for $4.99 per month, or $49.99 per year. For an ad-free experience, upgrade to Peacock Premium Plus for $9.99 per month, or $99.99 annually.

For a limited time, new subscribers can save 60% on Peacock Premium and get the service for $1.99/month for 12 mos.* or annually for $19.99/year.*

*for the first year.

Watch NFL Games Live on Paramount+

Subscribers to Paramount+ can watch live NFL games on their local CBS station with the Essential plan for only $4.99/mo. or $49.99/yr. Upgrade to the Premium plan for $9.99/mo. or $99/yr and enjoy live NFL games and Paramount+ without ads.

Watching Out Of Network

While some streamers use a VPN to watch channels that aren't available in their area, changing your location to access content may violate the terms of service for the streaming service you're using. Be sure to check the service's website for more information.

ExpressVPN is our current recommended VPN for streamers who want a reliable and safe VPN, and ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How to Watch Nationally Broadcasted NFL Games Live

Throughout the regular season, fans will be able to stream live primetime nationally broadcasted games on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday nights with a few games on Saturdays.  Check out our full guides, below.

• How to Watch 2022 NFL Regular Season Games Live Without Cable
  
• NFL: How to Watch Thursday Night Football Games Live Without Cable
• NFL: How to Stream Sunday Night Football Live Without Cable
• NFL: How to Watch Monday Night Football Games Live Without Cable
• NFL: How to Watch 'ManningCast' Monday Night Football Games Live Without Cable

Check out all the live sports events on TV today on our Live Sports page.