How to Watch Bills vs. Rams on Monday Night Football on DIRECTV
The Buffalo Bills visit the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, October 12, at 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Week 5's Monday Night Football game is simulcast on ESPN and ABC, so any DIRECTV customer with local channels can watch.
Buffalo is 3-0 and Los Angeles is 1-2. Records are through three weeks; both teams play in Week 4 first, and we'll update this page after those games.
Quick answer
- Date and time: Monday, October 12, 2026, 8:15 p.m. ET, 5:15 p.m. PT local.
- Networks: ESPN and ABC, with Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge.
- DIRECTV channels: ESPN is channel 206. ABC is your local ABC station, which varies by market.
- ManningCast: ESPN2, channel 209, starting at 8 p.m. ET.
- Streaming: the ESPN app with ESPN Unlimited, which DIRECTV offers at no extra cost to eligible customers, plus NFL+.
Bills vs. Rams: date, time and channel
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 8:15 p.m. ET / 5:15 p.m. PT (local) |
| Stadium | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif. |
| TV | ESPN (channel 206) and ABC (local station) |
| Alternate broadcast | Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, ESPN2 (channel 209), 8 p.m. ET |
| Pregame | Monday Night Countdown, 6 to 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, also on NFL Network this season |
| Broadcast crew | Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst), Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge (sideline) |
| Streaming | ESPN app (ESPN Unlimited), NFL+ (mobile) |
What channel is Bills vs. Rams on DIRECTV?
You have two choices:
- ESPN, channel 206: included with ENTERTAINMENT and higher.
- ABC: your local ABC station. DIRECTV includes local channels with its core packages where available, so this works even without ESPN. Search the guide for your ABC station's call letters.
The Mannings' alternate telecast is on ESPN2, channel 209, also in ENTERTAINMENT and higher. If you removed local channels from your satellite package, our guide to adding local channels on DIRECTV shows how to add them back before Monday.
Streaming Bills vs. Rams with DIRECTV
If your DIRECTV package includes ESPN, you can activate ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost and watch in the ESPN app. DIRECTV's streaming plans carry ESPN, and your local ABC station where available:
| Option | ESPN (206)? | Advertised price (new customers) |
|---|---|---|
| ENTERTAINMENT | Yes | $89.99/mo |
| CHOICE | Yes | $94.99/mo |
| ULTIMATE | Yes | $124.99/mo |
| PREMIER | Yes | $169.99/mo |
| MySports Genre Pack | Yes | $64.99/mo (check for current new-customer offers) |
Prices are before taxes and fees, and a regional sports fee may apply to CHOICE and higher depending on your ZIP code. The MySports Genre Pack is DIRECTV's sports-focused streaming plan, built around ESPN, FS1 and NFL Network plus your local channels where available. Streaming plans have no annual contract. Questions about your address? Call 1-855-690-9884.
- NFL+: live local and prime-time games, including Monday night, on phones and tablets.
Is Bills vs. Rams on NFL Sunday Ticket?
You don't need it for this game. NFL Sunday Ticket, which is sold through YouTube and YouTube TV rather than DIRECTV for homes, covers out-of-market Sunday-afternoon games on CBS and FOX. This game is a national broadcast on ESPN and ABC, so it's available everywhere without Sunday Ticket.
For bars and restaurants, DIRECTV for Business again offers NFL Sunday Ticket for the 2026 season through an agreement with EverPass, the league's commercial distributor.
Bills vs. Rams storylines
- A rematch of a classic: the teams last met on December 8, 2024, at SoFi, a 44-42 Rams win. Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes and ran for three more in the loss.
- Buffalo's offense: the 3-0 Bills led the NFL at 33.7 points per game through three weeks. They host New England on October 4.
- The Rams (1-2) lost 30-26 to Denver in Week 3 and visit Philadelphia on October 4. Matthew Stafford had 872 passing yards and six touchdowns through three games, and Davante Adams had 358 receiving yards.
- Super Bowl stage: SoFi Stadium hosts Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, ESPN's first Super Bowl broadcast.
Want ESPN in your package before Monday night? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is Bills vs. Rams on DIRECTV?
ESPN on channel 206, or your local ABC station. The ManningCast is on ESPN2, channel 209.
What time is Bills vs. Rams?
8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT) on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Is Bills vs. Rams on ABC?
Yes. ABC simulcasts this Monday Night Football game with ESPN.
Can I stream Monday Night Football with DIRECTV?
Yes. Activate ESPN Unlimited through DIRECTV if your package includes ESPN, then watch in the ESPN app.
See the full week in our NFL Week 5 TV schedule. Questions? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 2, 2026. Kickoff times, networks and local station assignments are set by the NFL, its TV partners and local stations and may change. Channel lineups, carriage, offers and package prices vary by address and may change. NFL, DIRECTV, ESPN, ABC, ESPN2 and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.