Yes, you can watch some NFL games on Paramount Plus, but not all of them
Paramount Plus carries Thursday Night Football, a package of NFL games that airs live each Thursday during the regular season. These games stream exclusively on Paramount Plus — you cannot watch them on CBS, the network that produces them. The service also replays some games after they air, and offers highlights and analysis shows throughout the season.
However, Paramount Plus does not carry Sunday games, Monday Night Football, or playoff games. If you want to watch those, you will need other services or cable. The Thursday Night Football package is the only live NFL content Paramount Plus offers.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus streams Thursday Night Football live during the NFL regular season, and these games are exclusive to the service.
- You can watch replays of Thursday games on Paramount Plus after they air, plus highlights and NFL analysis shows.
- Sunday games, Monday Night Football, and playoff games are not available on Paramount Plus.
- You need an active Paramount Plus subscription to stream Thursday Night Football — the games are not free.
- Paramount Plus also carries some college football games, but NFL coverage is limited to the Thursday night package.
What games are actually on Paramount Plus
Thursday Night Football is the main event. During the 17-week regular season, one game airs live on Thursday evening each week. The broadcast starts at 8:20 p.m. Eastern time in most cases. These are full NFL games with the same announcers and production you would see on CBS.
After the game airs live, Paramount Plus keeps it available on demand. You can rewatch the full game for several days after it broadcasts. The service also posts highlight clips, usually within an hour of the game ending, and runs NFL analysis shows like Inside the NFL and NFL on CBS segments.
Paramount Plus does not carry preseason games, the Super Bowl, or any playoff games. Those air on other networks and services.
Which subscription tier includes Thursday Night Football
Both the ad-supported and ad-free versions of Paramount Plus include Thursday Night Football. The difference is that the ad-supported plan shows commercials during the game, while the ad-free plan does not. Both tiers cost less than the ad-free option alone on some competing services.
You do not need a special sports package or add-on. If you have a Paramount Plus subscription at any level, you can watch Thursday Night Football. The games are included in your regular subscription cost.
How to find Thursday Night Football on the app
Open the Paramount Plus app or website and look for the Sports section in the main menu. Thursday Night Football games appear there during the season, usually with a prominent banner on the home page on game days. You can also search for "Thursday Night Football" directly in the search bar.
Games are typically available to stream starting a few hours before kickoff. If you know you want to watch, you can open the app early and queue up the game. On game day, Paramount Plus usually sends a notification to your phone if you have notifications turned on.
What to do if you want to watch other NFL games
If you want to watch Sunday games, you will need NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV or YouTube, or a cable subscription that includes CBS, Fox, or ESPN. Monday Night Football airs on ESPN and is included with most cable packages or ESPN Plus. Playoff games and the Super Bowl air on CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN depending on the round.
Some games also stream on Amazon Prime Video (Thursday Night Football used to air there, but moved to Paramount Plus in 2023). The NFL also offers NFL Plus, a separate subscription service that streams some games, though it has blackout restrictions and does not include all nationally televised games.
If you want comprehensive NFL coverage, you will likely need multiple services or a cable subscription. Paramount Plus is best for viewers who specifically want to watch Thursday games and do not need access to the rest of the schedule.
Streaming quality and device support
Thursday Night Football streams in up to 4K resolution on compatible devices, though most viewers watch in standard HD. The stream quality depends on your internet connection — Paramount Plus recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K.
You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV, and gaming consoles including PlayStation and Xbox. You can stream on up to four devices at once with a single Paramount Plus account, though only one can play at a time on the same network in most cases.
Blackout rules and regional restrictions
Thursday Night Football does not have local blackout restrictions — the game streams nationwide to all Paramount Plus subscribers. This is different from some other NFL packages, which black out games in certain markets if they are also airing on local broadcast TV.
You do need to be in the United States to watch. If you are traveling outside the U.S., you will not be able to stream Thursday Night Football, even with a U.S. Paramount Plus account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Thursday Night Football without a Paramount Plus subscription?
No. Thursday Night Football is exclusive to Paramount Plus subscribers. Some games may air on CBS as well, but the primary broadcast is on Paramount Plus. You need an active subscription to stream the games.
What time do Thursday Night Football games start?
Most games start at 8:20 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday evenings during the regular season. Some games may start at different times, so check the Paramount Plus schedule or the NFL schedule for the exact time of the game you want to watch.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on my TV?
Yes. Paramount Plus works on most smart TVs, Roku devices, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and gaming consoles. You can also connect a computer or phone to your TV using an HDMI cable or casting feature if your TV does not have the Paramount Plus app built in.
Do I need cable to watch NFL games on Paramount Plus?
No. Paramount Plus is a standalone streaming service. You do not need a cable subscription to watch Thursday Night Football. However, if you want to watch other NFL games that are not on Paramount Plus, you will need cable or other streaming services.
Can I rewatch games after they air?
Yes. Paramount Plus keeps full game replays available on demand for several days after the live broadcast. You can watch the entire game whenever you want during that window, though the replay is eventually removed to make room for new content.