How to Watch the NFL on DIRECTV: Channels, RedZone and This Week's Games
Most NFL games reach DIRECTV through channels you probably already have: your local CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC stations plus ESPN. The rest comes down to a few extras: NFL Network, NFL RedZone and the streaming apps that carry Thursday nights and a handful of holiday games. This guide covers which channel each game is on, what you need to watch it, and what happened to NFL Sunday Ticket. It starts with this week's games.
Quick answer:
- Sunday afternoons: your local CBS and FOX stations. Which games you get depends on your market.
- Sunday Night Football: your local NBC station.
- Monday Night Football: ESPN, channel 206. Ten Monday games this season also air on ABC.
- Thursday Night Football: Prime Video, a separate subscription.
- NFL Network: channel 212, CHOICE package and higher. NFL RedZone: channel 211, an add-on for most packages.
- NFL Sunday Ticket: sold to homes by YouTube, not DIRECTV. Businesses can still get it from DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS.
Not sure your package has the channels you need? Call 1-855-690-9884 and we'll check your address.
This Week's NFL Games on DIRECTV (Oct. 2–8, 2026)
Week 4 wraps up Sunday and Monday, then Week 5 opens with Thursday Night Football. All times are Eastern.
| Date | Kickoff (ET) | Game | Network | Where to find it on DIRECTV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 9:30 a.m. | Colts vs. Commanders (London) | NFL Network | NFL Network, ch. 212 |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 1 p.m. | Patriots at Bills | CBS | Your local CBS station |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 1 p.m. | Jets at Bears | FOX | Your local FOX station |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 1 p.m. | Jaguars at Bengals | CBS | Your local CBS station |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 1 p.m. | Cardinals at Giants | CBS | Your local CBS station |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 1 p.m. | Rams at Eagles | FOX | Your local FOX station |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 1 p.m. | Packers at Buccaneers | FOX | Your local FOX station |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 1 p.m. | Titans at Ravens | CBS | Your local CBS station |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 1 p.m. | Cowboys at Texans | FOX | Your local FOX station |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 4:05 p.m. | Dolphins at Vikings | FOX | Your local FOX station |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 4:25 p.m. | Chiefs at Raiders | CBS | Your local CBS station |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 4:25 p.m. | Broncos at 49ers | CBS | Your local CBS station |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 4:25 p.m. | Chargers at Seahawks | CBS | Your local CBS station |
| Sun. Oct. 4 | 8:20 p.m. | Lions at Panthers | NBC | Your local NBC station (also streams on Peacock) |
| Mon. Oct. 5 | 8:15 p.m. | Falcons at Saints | ESPN | ESPN, ch. 206 |
| Thu. Oct. 8 | 8:15 p.m. | Buccaneers at Cowboys | Prime Video | Prime Video app (separate Amazon subscription) |
How to read this table: CBS and FOX Sunday-afternoon games are regional, so your local stations show the games picked for your market. DIRECTV includes local channels with its packages where locals are available in your area. The London game airs on NFL Network, which starts with the CHOICE package, so ENTERTAINMENT customers won't have it. Monday's game is on ESPN only this week, with no ABC simulcast. Thursday Night Football streams on Prime Video.
Rest of Week 5 (Oct. 9–12): Eagles at Jaguars plays in London at 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday on NFL Network, Ravens at Falcons is Sunday Night Football on NBC, and Bills at Rams is Monday night on ESPN and ABC. The Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs have byes.
Missing a channel before kickoff? Call 1-855-690-9884.
NFL channels on DIRECTV
| Network | DIRECTV channel | What NFL football airs there | Included with |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBS | Your local CBS station | Sunday afternoon games, mostly AFC teams | Packages with local channels, where available |
| FOX | Your local FOX station | Sunday afternoon games, mostly NFC teams | Packages with local channels, where available |
| NBC | Your local NBC station | Sunday Night Football | Packages with local channels, where available |
| ABC | Your local ABC station | Ten Monday Night Football simulcasts and ESPN's Week 18 Saturday doubleheader | Packages with local channels, where available |
| ESPN | 206 | Monday Night Football all season | ENTERTAINMENT and higher; MySports |
| NFL Network | 212 | International Series games (including Sunday-morning London games) and daily NFL shows | CHOICE and higher; MySports |
| NFL RedZone | 211 | Every touchdown from every Sunday-afternoon game | PREMIER, or an add-on (see below) |
| Prime Video | App on Gemini devices | Thursday Night Football and Black Friday | Separate Amazon subscription |
| Peacock | App on Gemini devices | Sunday Night Football streams; one exclusive game on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027 | Separate Peacock subscription |
| Netflix | App on Gemini devices | Christmas Day games | Separate Netflix subscription |
Local channel numbers vary by market, so search your guide for the network name or your station's call letters. Our guide to getting CBS with DIRECTV and our page on adding local channels explain how locals work. If your package includes ESPN, DIRECTV offers ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost to eligible customers, so you can also stream Monday Night Football in the ESPN app. Want to stream FOX games? See our FOX One with DIRECTV guide.
The 2026 NFL season at a glance
- The regular season runs from Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, through Sunday, Jan. 10, 2027: 18 weeks and 272 games.
- ESPN has 17 Monday Night Football games (10 also on ABC), a Week 18 Saturday doubleheader and seven NFL Network games.
- Peacock streams an exclusive game on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027.
- The Divisional Playoffs are Jan. 23–24, 2027, and both conference championships are Sunday, Jan. 31.
- Super Bowl LXI is Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, on ESPN and ABC. It's ESPN's first Super Bowl.
NFL Sunday Ticket and DIRECTV in 2026
At home: Sunday Ticket is on YouTube
DIRECTV no longer sells NFL Sunday Ticket to homes. Since the 2023 season, the out-of-market Sunday package has been sold by YouTube, either as an add-on to YouTube TV or on its own through YouTube Primetime Channels. If you're a DIRECTV customer who follows an out-of-market team, you have three options: buy Sunday Ticket from YouTube separately, watch your team when it shows up on CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN or NFL Network, or add NFL RedZone to see every touchdown. For background, see why Sunday Ticket left DIRECTV and how to get Sunday Ticket without YouTube TV.
For bars and restaurants: DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS
Businesses are a different story. Under a multiyear deal announced July 31, 2026, DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS sells NFL Sunday Ticket to bars, restaurants, hotels and other commercial venues, by satellite or streaming. Businesses that had Sunday Ticket in 2025–26 renew automatically for 2026–27. Our article on DIRECTV carrying Sunday Ticket for bars has more.
NFL RedZone on DIRECTV
NFL RedZone is on channel 211 from 1 p.m. ET until the late Sunday-afternoon games end, showing up to eight games at once. There are three ways to get it:
- PREMIER package: RedZone is included.
- DIRECTV Sports Pack: $14.99 a month on any Signature package. It also adds 35-plus regional and specialty sports networks.
- MySports Extra: $13.99 a month, an add-on for the MySports Genre Pack.
Since early 2026, ESPN has owned NFL Network and distributes RedZone to TV providers. On DIRECTV, the channel numbers are still 212 and 211. More in our RedZone guide and RedZone channel guide.
Want RedZone before kickoff Sunday? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Which DIRECTV option fits your football habit?
| If you want... | Get | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Your local team's Sunday games, SNF and MNF | Any package with local channels, plus ESPN (ENTERTAINMENT and higher) | CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC and ESPN carry most of the season |
| London games and more NFL shows | CHOICE or higher | Adds NFL Network (212) |
| Every Sunday touchdown | PREMIER, or add the Sports Pack | Includes NFL RedZone (211) |
| A sports-only streaming plan | MySports Genre Pack ($64.99/mo), plus MySports Extra for RedZone | ESPN, NFL Network and ESPN Unlimited in one sports lineup |
| Thursday nights | Prime Video (separate) | TNF streams on Prime Video |
| Every out-of-market Sunday game | NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube (separate) | DIRECTV doesn't sell it to homes |
Intro offers on MySports change often. See our MySports guide for the latest, and our DIRECTV sports package prices for the add-ons. Compare DIRECTV packages or check service at your address, or call 1-855-690-9884.
Satellite vs. streaming for football fans
Both versions of DIRECTV carry the same core football channels, and both can include local stations where they're available. Streaming plans are month to month and don't need a dish. Thursday, Peacock and Netflix games come through apps, which run on a DIRECTV Gemini device. DIRECTV's Multiview, which shows up to four games on one screen, works on compatible TVs. Gemini owners can also use Sports Central to follow their teams across live TV and apps.
Find your team's game this week
Every team plays in Week 4. Here's each team's game and where to find it on DIRECTV.
| Team | Division | Week 4 game | Where to watch on DIRECTV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | NFC West | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: at New York Giants | Your local CBS station |
| Atlanta Falcons | NFC South | Mon., Oct. 5 8:15 p.m. ET: at New Orleans Saints | ESPN, ch. 206 |
| Baltimore Ravens | AFC North | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: vs. Tennessee Titans | Your local CBS station |
| Buffalo Bills | AFC East | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: vs. New England Patriots | Your local CBS station |
| Carolina Panthers | NFC South | Sun., Oct. 4 8:20 p.m. ET: vs. Detroit Lions | Your local NBC station (also streams on Peacock) |
| Chicago Bears | NFC North | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: vs. New York Jets | Your local FOX station |
| Cincinnati Bengals | AFC North | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | Your local CBS station |
| Cleveland Browns | AFC North | Thu., Oct. 1 8:15 p.m. ET: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | Prime Video app (separate Amazon subscription) |
| Dallas Cowboys | NFC East | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: at Houston Texans | Your local FOX station |
| Denver Broncos | AFC West | Sun., Oct. 4 4:25 p.m. ET: at San Francisco 49ers | Your local CBS station |
| Detroit Lions | NFC North | Sun., Oct. 4 8:20 p.m. ET: at Carolina Panthers | Your local NBC station (also streams on Peacock) |
| Green Bay Packers | NFC North | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Your local FOX station |
| Houston Texans | AFC South | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: vs. Dallas Cowboys | Your local FOX station |
| Indianapolis Colts | AFC South | Sun., Oct. 4 9:30 a.m. ET: vs. Washington Commanders (London) | NFL Network, ch. 212 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | AFC South | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: at Cincinnati Bengals | Your local CBS station |
| Kansas City Chiefs | AFC West | Sun., Oct. 4 4:25 p.m. ET: at Las Vegas Raiders | Your local CBS station |
| Las Vegas Raiders | AFC West | Sun., Oct. 4 4:25 p.m. ET: vs. Kansas City Chiefs | Your local CBS station |
| Los Angeles Chargers | AFC West | Sun., Oct. 4 4:25 p.m. ET: at Seattle Seahawks | Your local CBS station |
| Los Angeles Rams | NFC West | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: at Philadelphia Eagles | Your local FOX station |
| Miami Dolphins | AFC East | Sun., Oct. 4 4:05 p.m. ET: at Minnesota Vikings | Your local FOX station |
| Minnesota Vikings | NFC North | Sun., Oct. 4 4:05 p.m. ET: vs. Miami Dolphins | Your local FOX station |
| New England Patriots | AFC East | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: at Buffalo Bills | Your local CBS station |
| New Orleans Saints | NFC South | Mon., Oct. 5 8:15 p.m. ET: vs. Atlanta Falcons | ESPN, ch. 206 |
| New York Giants | NFC East | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: vs. Arizona Cardinals | Your local CBS station |
| New York Jets | AFC East | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: at Chicago Bears | Your local FOX station |
| Philadelphia Eagles | NFC East | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: vs. Los Angeles Rams | Your local FOX station |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | AFC North | Thu., Oct. 1 8:15 p.m. ET: at Cleveland Browns | Prime Video app (separate Amazon subscription) |
| San Francisco 49ers | NFC West | Sun., Oct. 4 4:25 p.m. ET: vs. Denver Broncos | Your local CBS station |
| Seattle Seahawks | NFC West | Sun., Oct. 4 4:25 p.m. ET: vs. Los Angeles Chargers | Your local CBS station |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | NFC South | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: vs. Green Bay Packers | Your local FOX station |
| Tennessee Titans | AFC South | Sun., Oct. 4 1 p.m. ET: at Baltimore Ravens | Your local CBS station |
| Washington Commanders | NFC East | Sun., Oct. 4 9:30 a.m. ET: vs. Indianapolis Colts (London) | NFL Network, ch. 212 |
Sunday-afternoon CBS and FOX games are regional, so check your local listings. Questions about your market? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Tips so you never miss a game
- Search the DIRECTV guide by team name to find every upcoming game on live TV.
- Set a series recording for your team so flexed games and time changes don't catch you out.
- Activate ESPN Unlimited once if your package includes ESPN, so Monday games stream on your phone too.
- Bookmark this page. We refresh the games table each week of the regular season.
Find DIRECTV service in NFL cities: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, Washington, D.C..
Frequently asked questions
What channel is the NFL on DIRECTV?
Sunday afternoon games are on your local CBS and FOX stations, Sunday Night Football is on your local NBC station, and Monday Night Football is on ESPN (channel 206), with some weeks also on ABC. NFL Network is channel 212 and NFL RedZone is channel 211. Thursday Night Football streams on Prime Video.
Is NFL Sunday Ticket on DIRECTV in 2026?
Not for homes. Residential NFL Sunday Ticket is sold by YouTube, through YouTube TV or YouTube Primetime Channels. Bars, restaurants and other businesses can still get NFL Sunday Ticket through DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS.
What channel is NFL RedZone on DIRECTV?
NFL RedZone is channel 211 on Sunday afternoons during the regular season. It comes with the PREMIER package, or you can add it with the DIRECTV Sports Pack on a Signature package or MySports Extra on the MySports Genre Pack.
Which DIRECTV package has NFL Network?
NFL Network (channel 212) is included starting with the CHOICE package and in the MySports Genre Pack. The ENTERTAINMENT package does not include it.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on DIRECTV?
Thursday Night Football streams on Prime Video, so you need an Amazon Prime or Prime Video subscription. The Prime Video app is available on DIRECTV Gemini devices. In the two teams' home markets, the game also airs on a local broadcast station.
Is Monday Night Football on ABC this week?
Not in Week 4. Falcons at Saints on Monday, Oct. 5, airs on ESPN only (channel 206). In Week 5, Bills at Rams on Oct. 12 airs on both ESPN and ABC.
Who is broadcasting Super Bowl LXI?
ESPN and ABC. Super Bowl LXI is Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Football questions? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 2, 2026. Kickoff times and networks are subject to change, including flexible scheduling. Regional CBS and FOX coverage varies by market. Channel lineups, package contents and prices may change, and taxes may apply. NFL, NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL RedZone, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.