Paramount Plus shows NFL games on Thursday nights and some playoff matchups

Paramount Plus carries Thursday Night Football, which means you get one NFL game per week during the regular season and playoffs. The service also streams some wild-card playoff games and divisional round games, though not all of them. Which specific games appear on Paramount Plus depends on the week and the matchup — the NFL rotates broadcast rights among networks, so you may see a game on CBS one week and on Paramount Plus the next.

The Thursday Night Football package runs from September through early January. Games typically start at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time. If you have a Paramount Plus subscription, you can stream these games on any device — phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV — without paying extra.

Paramount Plus does not show Sunday or Monday night games, and it does not carry the Super Bowl. For those, you will need to check which network has the broadcast rights that year.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus streams Thursday Night Football every week during the regular season and playoffs as part of your subscription.
  • Some wild-card and divisional playoff games appear on Paramount Plus, but the exact matchups change year to year based on NFL scheduling.
  • Thursday Night Football games start at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time and are available on all devices that support the Paramount Plus app.
  • Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, and the Super Bowl are broadcast on other networks and are not available on Paramount Plus.

How to find Thursday Night Football on the app

Open Paramount Plus and look for the Sports section or search for "Thursday Night Football." During the season, the game usually appears on the home screen under featured content. You can also search by team name if you want to find when your team plays.

Games are available to stream live at kickoff. If you miss the live broadcast, Paramount Plus typically keeps the full game available on demand for several days after it airs, though availability varies by game.

What you need to watch live games

You need an active Paramount Plus subscription. The service offers two tiers: one with ads and one without. Both include access to Thursday Night Football — the ad-free version straightforward removes commercials during the game.

Your internet connection must be stable enough to stream video. Paramount Plus recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD streaming. If your connection is slower, the app will automatically lower the video quality to keep the stream from buffering.

Playoff games and when they appear

During the playoffs, Paramount Plus carries some games but not all. The NFL divides playoff broadcasts among CBS, Fox, ESPN, and NBC, so Paramount Plus only gets the games that CBS would normally broadcast. This means you might see a wild-card game on Paramount Plus one year and not the next, depending on which network has the rights to that particular matchup.

The Super Bowl is always broadcast on a rotating network and has never been exclusive to a streaming service. Check the NFL schedule in January to see which network carries the Super Bowl that year.

Comparing NFL streaming options

If you want to watch more NFL games than Thursday Night Football offers, you have other options. NFL Plus is the league's own streaming service and shows out-of-market games on Sunday and Monday, though it does not include Thursday Night Football or primetime games. YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, and other live TV streaming services carry multiple networks and show most games, but they cost more than Paramount Plus and require a separate subscription.

For a single subscription that covers the most games, a live TV service is your best choice. For Thursday Night Football alone, Paramount Plus is the only place to watch it on a streaming service.

Blackout rules and regional restrictions

Paramount Plus streams Thursday Night Football nationwide without blackouts, so you can watch from anywhere in the United States. This is different from some Sunday games, which may be blacked out in the home team's local market if the game is not sold out.

If you are outside the United States, Paramount Plus may not be available, or the service may not include NFL games in your region. Check your local streaming options or the NFL's international broadcast schedule.

Troubleshooting common streaming problems

If the game will not load, first check your internet speed using a free tool like Speedtest. If your speed is below 5 Mbps, move closer to your router or restart it. If the app itself is frozen, close it completely and reopen it.

If you see an error message saying the game is not available in your region, you may be using a VPN or proxy service, which Paramount Plus blocks. Disable it and try again. If the problem persists, sign out of the app, clear its cache, and sign back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Thursday Night Football if I don't have cable?

Yes. Paramount Plus is a streaming service that does not require cable. You only need a Paramount Plus subscription and an internet connection. This is the main reason the NFL moved Thursday Night Football to Paramount Plus — to reach viewers who have cut cable.

Do I have to pay extra to watch NFL games on Paramount Plus?

No. Thursday Night Football is included in your regular Paramount Plus subscription at no additional cost. Both the ad-supported and ad-free tiers include access to the games.

What happens if I miss a live game?

Paramount Plus usually makes the full game available on demand within a few hours after it ends. You can watch the replay anytime during the week. Some games remain available for several weeks, though the exact window varies.

Can I watch NFL games on Paramount Plus outside the United States?

Paramount Plus is not available in most countries outside the United States. Even where the service exists, it may not include NFL games. Check your local streaming services or the NFL's international broadcast partners for games in your region.

Will Paramount Plus ever show Sunday or Monday night games?

Not currently. The NFL has separate broadcast agreements with ESPN (Monday Night Football) and NBC (Sunday Night Football). Paramount Plus only has the rights to Thursday Night Football and some playoff games. This could change if the NFL renegotiates its broadcast deals, but there is no indication that will happen soon.