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

Paramount Plus carries Thursday Night Football, which means you can watch one NFL game per week during the regular season on this streaming service. The Thursday night slot runs from September through early January, with the exact schedule changing year to year. Paramount Plus also carries some playoff games — typically wild card and divisional round matchups — though the number and timing depend on which teams make the playoffs and how CBS's broadcast rights rotate that season.

If you want to watch Sunday or Monday games, you will need a different service. Paramount Plus does not carry those time slots. The service also does not show games that air on other networks like Fox, NBC, ESPN, or the NFL Network, even if those games happen to be available elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus streams one NFL game every Thursday night during the regular season as part of its Thursday Night Football package.
  • Playoff games on Paramount Plus include wild card and divisional round matchups, though the exact number changes based on the playoff bracket and CBS's rotation schedule.
  • Sunday, Monday, and other weekday games are not available on Paramount Plus and require subscriptions to other services like ESPN Plus, Fox, or NBC.
  • You need an active Paramount Plus subscription to watch; the games are not available through the free tier of the service.

How to find Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus

Open the Paramount Plus app or website and look for the Sports section. During the NFL season, Thursday Night Football appears as a featured item on the home page, usually with the game start time and team names displayed. You can also search for "Thursday Night Football" directly in the search bar.

Games typically start at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday evenings. If you miss the live broadcast, Paramount Plus usually makes the full game available on demand shortly after it ends, so you can watch it later that same night or the next day. Check the app for the on-demand version if you cannot watch live.

What subscription tier you need

Thursday Night Football requires a Paramount Plus with Ads or Paramount Plus Premium subscription. The free tier of Paramount Plus does not include access to live sports or Thursday Night Football games. Both paid tiers give you the same access to NFL games — the difference is that the Ads tier shows commercials during the broadcast, while Premium does not.

If you already subscribe to Paramount Plus for movies and TV shows, you already have access to the games. You do not need to upgrade or pay extra. The games are included in your current subscription.

Playoff games and when they air

Paramount Plus carries playoff games as part of CBS's broadcast rights. This typically includes wild card round games and divisional round games, though the exact number varies. Not every playoff game airs on Paramount Plus — some go to other networks depending on the schedule and which teams are playing.

Playoff games usually air on weekends in January, and the specific dates depend on the bracket. You can check the NFL schedule on the official NFL website or on Paramount Plus itself once the playoffs begin, as the service updates its schedule as soon as matchups are set.

Games you cannot watch on Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus does not carry Sunday afternoon or evening games, which air on Fox and CBS through traditional broadcast. It also does not carry Monday Night Football, which airs on ESPN. Games on NBC, the NFL Network, or Amazon Prime Video are not available through Paramount Plus either.

If you want to watch a full week of NFL games, you will need multiple services. Most fans use a combination of their cable or streaming provider for Sunday games, ESPN Plus or a cable login for Monday Night Football, and Paramount Plus for Thursday nights. Some games are also available through the NFL Plus app, which is a separate subscription from Paramount Plus.

Picture quality and streaming reliability

Paramount Plus streams Thursday Night Football in up to 4K resolution on compatible devices, though the actual quality depends on your internet speed and device. For smooth playback, the service recommends at least 25 Mbps read speed for 4K and 8 Mbps for standard HD.

The service generally performs well during games, but streaming quality can drop if your internet connection is unstable or if many people in your area are streaming at the same time. If you experience buffering, try lowering the video quality in the app settings or restarting your internet connection. Paramount Plus also allows you to read games to watch offline on some devices, though this feature is not always available for live sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus if I have cable?

Yes. If you have a cable subscription that includes CBS, you can log into Paramount Plus with your cable provider credentials and watch Thursday Night Football. You do not need a separate Paramount Plus subscription in that case. Check the Paramount Plus login page to see if your cable provider is listed.

What happens if I miss a Thursday night game?

Paramount Plus makes full game replays available on demand shortly after the live broadcast ends. You can watch the entire game the next day or later that week without a live TV subscription. The on-demand version is included with your Paramount Plus subscription.

Do I need Paramount Plus to watch the Super Bowl?

No. The Super Bowl airs on CBS, and you can watch it through traditional broadcast, cable, or the CBS app. Paramount Plus does not carry the Super Bowl. Check which network is broadcasting the Super Bowl that year to find where to watch.

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

Paramount Plus availability and sports content vary by country. If you are outside the US, check whether Paramount Plus operates in your region and what sports it offers there. Some countries have different streaming services for NFL games.