As September rolls around, if you’re a fan of football, you probably want to know how to watch the NFL. Fortunately, you no longer need to rely solely on traditional TV. Instead, you can tune into your favorite NFL teams via Sling TV, the over-the-top (OTT) cable alternative service that works as an excellent replacement for cord-cutters. With Sling TV, you can watch live NFL games as long as you have a healthy internet connection. Regional sports networks (RSNs) vary from market to market, so you’ll need to confirm your coverage area in the charts below.
Sling TV offers packages with national networks that televise live NFL games. These networks include ESPN, FOX, and NBC so you can catch all the latest action on Sundays, as well as both Monday Night Football and Thursday Night Football.
Sling TV plans and sports channels compared
There are three unique Sling TV plans to choose from — Sling Orange ($30/mo.), Sling Blue ($30/mo.), and Sling Orange + Blue ($45/mo.). ESPN, FOX, NBC, and the NFL Network are split up between the Sling Orange and Sling Blue packages. And while you’ll gain access to more games with Sling Blue than Sling Orange, the latter still carries several highly coveted ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN 2, and ESPN 3). However, if you want the best of both worlds, Sling Orange + Blue is your best bet as it combines both packages.
| Sling Orange | Sling Blue | Sling Orange + Blue | |
| CBS | |||
| ESPN | X | X | |
| FOX | X | X | |
| NBC | X | X | |
| NFL Network | X | X | |
| NFL RedZone | +$10 | +$15 |
Can I stream every NFL game on Sling TV?
Fans of the NFL will get the most out of Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Blue since Sling Orange only comes with the ESPN networks. Sling Blue gives you access to FOX, NBC, and the NFL Network. You can also punch up your subscription with add-ons and extra channels. For instance, NFL RedZone is a premium channel that will cost you either an extra $10/mo. with Sling Blue or $15/mo. with Sling Orange + Blue. NFL Redzone is perfect for superfans who follow multiple teams on Sunday and want to be kept up to date on all the games, touchdowns, updates, and breaking news.
As an NFL fan, you’re probably aware that the league is divided between two conferences. While National Football Conference (NFC) games are available on FOX, American Football Conference (AFC) games can be found on CBS. None of the Sling TV packages offer CBS, which means that you won’t be able to watch any games broadcasting on that network. That said, there are a few workarounds. For example, CBS All Access is a great addition for an extra $5.99/mo. Along with AFC games, you’ll also have access to past and present CBS shows.
For RSN coverage, there’s an affordable option you may want to try. With an antenna, you can watch games that appear locally in your region. We know what you’re thinking: “An antenna, really?” It’s time to get the cliche of spindly, metal antennas out of your mind. The antennas we’re recommending provide crystal-clear, 4K quality without the retro appearance of bunny-ears. HDHomeRun comes in the form of a box and works wirelessly with various devices within your home. And best of all, there’s no monthly price. Just one cost, one time. But remember, some games may be subject to national blackouts.
Can I stream my favorite NFL team on Sling TV?
No matter what NFL team you’re a fan of, there’s a package or channel add-on that will fit your needs. However, not every local market game will be televised on FOX and NBC. That’s because each local market has its own contract instead of one overarching agreement with Sling TV. But, maybe you’re curious how Sling TV stacks up against some of the other competing cable alternatives out there. AT&T TV NOW ($55/mo.), fuboTV ($55/mo.), Hulu + Live TV ($55/mo.), and YouTube TV ($50/mo.) all provide a more complete experience, but your monthly bill will rise significantly.
| Sling Blue, Orange + Blue | |
| Arizona Cardinals | X |
| Atlanta Falcons | X |
| Baltimore Ravens | |
| Buffalo Bills | |
| Carolina Panthers | X |
| Chicago Bears | X |
| Cincinnati Bengals | |
| Cleveland Browns | |
| Dallas Cowboys | X |
| Denver Broncos | |
| Detroit Lions | X |
| Green Bay Packers | On demand |
| Houston Texans | |
| Indianapolis Colts | |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | |
| Kansas City Chiefs | |
| Los Angeles Rams | X |
| Miami Dolphins | |
| Minnesota Vikings | X |
| New England Patriots | |
| New Orleans Saints | On demand |
| New York Giants | X |
| New York Jets | |
| Oakland Raiders | |
| Philadelphia Eagles | X |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | |
| San Francisco 49ers | X |
| Seattle Seahawks | On demand |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | X |
| Tennessee Titans | |
| Washington Redskins | X |
The final cut
If you’re a football fan, you’ll have plenty of ways to watch the NFL on Sling. Never miss a moment as you follow your favorite teams on ESPN, FOX, NBC, and NFL Network. Want more coverage? Pay a little extra per month for a channel add-on and you’ll get NFL Redzone. The only network unavailable on Sling TV is CBS, but you can simply add CBS All Access to increase your viewing options. Sling TV offers a free trial period of seven days if you sign up through its app. Otherwise, you’ll receive $10 off your first month with any package you choose. To avoid being charged, just make sure to cancel before your week is up.
There are also other, more affordable ways to catch local games in your market. With updates in technology, there are plenty of antenna models, like the HDHomeRun, that provide an HD experience for a one-time payment.