In the United States, there is little argument to be made against the fact that American football is king. The sport has certainly dominated the entertainment landscape, with an average of more than 17 million viewers per game in 2023. Subsequently, amid the trend of cord-cutters and streaming platforms, we explore how to watch the NFL Playoffs for free.
The contemporary television audience has experienced a transformation over the last decade. The industry has seen a move away from traditional cables, with economic circumstances leading many to seek out the most cost-effective ways of observing America’s most popular sport.
That endeavor is magnified this week, as the NFL Playoffs are finally upon us. Indeed, the remaining eight teams will battle over the next several weeks to determine who will play for the coveted Lombardi trophy. The Super Bowl is the culmination of four rounds of playoffs, each with more intense high-stakes action than the last.
With the conclusion of the Wild Card Round, the Divisional Playoffs are set to begin this weekend. The next round will determine what four teams battle for the NFL Conference Championships. Subsequently, we explore how to watch these NFL Playoff Games for free.
NFL Divisional Round: Who’s Playing and Where It’s Airing?
Also Read: What Channel is Peacock on Spectrum?
Now, before we delve into where to watch the upcoming NFL Divisional Round for free, let’s break down the schedule of games. Indeed, the NFL has released an updated slate that includes the time of the game, who playing, and where their affiliates are airing it.
The Divisional Round is set to begin on Saturday, January 20th. Firstly, the fourth-seeded Houston Texans are set to face the first-ranked Baltimore Ravens. That game will take place in Baltimore, and be airing on ESPN/ABC, ESPN+, and ESPN Deportes.
Thereafter, the seventh-ranked Green Bay Packers will seek to continue their miracle turnaround against Super Bowl Favorites, the top-ranked San Francisco 49ers. That game is taking place in California and will air on Fox and Fox Deports.
On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will travel to Ford Field to take on the Detroit Lions. That game is set to air on NBC, Peacock, and Universo. Finally, the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs will play the Buffalo Bills in the coveted evening game. Superstar quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen will face off in the game set to air on CBS and Paramount+
How to Watch The NFL Playoffs For Free
Also Read: What Channel is Peacock on DirecTV?
Now that we’ve explored some of the incredible games taking place, let’s explore some of the options for you to watch the NFL Playoffs for free. Although there are various streaming platforms and cable platforms featuring the games, here are some options for free viewing this weekend.
fuboTV
A favorite live-streaming platform that is great for cord-cutters is fuboTV. The platform features a free trial that will allow you to gauge your interest in what they have to offer. Moreover, it is an excellent option to watch the NFL Playoffs this weekend for free.
For watching NFL content, fuboTV is a great option, as it provides live streams of ESPN, the NFL Network, FOX, NBC, and CBS. Subsequently, these stations are the typical homes of most NFL games and were previously mentioned as the airing location for the Divisional Playoff round.
As we mentioned, fuboTV does have a free trial available to prospective subscribers. With the Divisional round taking place this weekend, there is no better time to take part in that offer. Alternatively, fuboTV packages begin at $74.99 per month if you decide to move forward with your subscription.
DirecTV Sream
Although DirecTV Stream is not a free-to-use platform, it does offer a free trial. Indeed, the streaming platform allows its users to utilize a five-day free trial. This feature would then allow you to observe all of the Divisional round games coming up this weekend.
Additionally, DirecTV STream does have plenty of benefits for those who seek to continue their subscription. Users can have access to more than 100 live TV Channels. These include things like ESPN, NFL Network, Fox, NBC, CBS, and many more.
After the trial is finished, the streaming platform is $83.99 for a one-month, or two-month plan. Following that time frame, the price increases to $108.99 per month. Although the price is certainly akin to cable, its free trial is an excellent option for immediate viewing of the NBFL Playoffs.
Peacock
Another great option for watching the NFL Playoffs for free is through the Peacock streaming service. However, it is important to remember that the platform is an NBC-exclusive service. Subsequently, it will give you access to the NFL games that NBC itself is airing.
As discussed with both fuboTV and DirecTV Stream, Peacock is a great option because it does offer a free trial. This is great to explore all that the platform has to offer and to take in NBC-delivered NFL Playoff games this weekend.
Unfortunately, for the Divisional Round, that would only include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions. Yet, that is perfect if either is a team you support or your most coveted game of the round. Additionally, the benefit of Peacock is that it is one of the most cost-effective options. Specifically, the package is only $6-$12 per month.
YouTubeTV
Another streaming option that features a free trial is YouTubeTV. Indeed, the YouTube streaming platform features a free trial for as long as two weeks. Far longer than its competitors, the platform offers access to the NFL’s own Sunday Ticket feature.
Both YouTube and the NFL announced their new partnership at the start of this season. Indeed, the NFL stated that its Sunday Ticket would be transferring over to the streaming platform. Subsequently, any games that are being aired on the Sunday Ticket are available to YouTubeTV subscribers.
After the trial, users will be facing monthly charges of $73, which is a standard price range for live streaming services. Still, the platform’s free trial, and its surprising length, are a great option for viewing the NFL Playoffs for free.
Other Ways to Watch
Although these are the free ways to watch the NFL Playoffs this weekend, there are a host of other platforms that feature the Divisional Round. These include things like Sling TV. Specifically, the streaming services start at the low price of $55 per month, with the first month only costing $35. Additionally, the package offers ESPN, Fox, the NFL Network, and NBC.
Hulu Live TV is also a great option for streaming the NFL Playoffs for the rest of the season. The platform is one of the most popular of its kind on the market. Moreover, it grants you all NFL Livestreams from ESPN, CBBS, Fox, NFL network, and more. Additionally, the subscription comes with both Disney+ and ESPN+ for free. The prices for the package begin at $76.99 per month.