Paramount Plus shows NFL games on Thursday nights and some playoff matchups
Paramount Plus carries Thursday Night Football, which means you can watch one NFL game per week during the regular season on that service. The Thursday night package includes most weeks from September through early January, though the exact schedule changes year to year. Paramount Plus also carries some playoff games — typically the Wild Card round — depending on the current broadcasting agreement.
The games air live, and you need an active Paramount Plus subscription to watch them. The service does not offer a free tier for live sports, so you will need either the ad-supported or ad-free plan. Paramount Plus does not carry Sunday, Monday, or most other weekday games — those air on other networks like CBS, Fox, ESPN, and NBC.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus carries Thursday Night Football during the regular season, which is one game per week from September through early January.
- You need a paid Paramount Plus subscription to watch live NFL games; the free tier does not include them.
- Playoff games on Paramount Plus are limited to certain rounds, usually the Wild Card round, and vary by year.
- Sunday, Monday, and other weekday NFL games air on different networks and are not available through Paramount Plus.
How the Thursday Night Football schedule works
Thursday Night Football runs for most of the NFL regular season, starting in early September and continuing through the first week of January. Paramount Plus airs the game live each Thursday evening, typically at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time. The exact kickoff time can shift depending on the week and the teams playing.
The schedule is set by the NFL before the season begins, so you can look up which teams are playing each Thursday in advance. Paramount Plus publishes the full Thursday Night Football schedule on its app and website at the start of each season. If you miss a live game, Paramount Plus typically makes it available on demand shortly after the broadcast ends, though this depends on your subscription tier and location.
Playoff games and postseason coverage
Paramount Plus carries some NFL playoff games, but not all of them. The Wild Card round — the first playoff round — is the most common playoff content on Paramount Plus. Other playoff rounds like the Divisional round, Conference Championships, and Super Bowl are typically split among other networks like CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN.
The exact playoff schedule changes based on the broadcasting rights agreement in place for that season. If you want to know which specific playoff games will air on Paramount Plus in a given year, check the service's sports section or the NFL's official schedule closer to the playoffs. Paramount Plus will promote its playoff games prominently when they are coming up.
What you need to watch NFL games on Paramount Plus
You must have a paid Paramount Plus subscription. The service offers two paid tiers: one with ads and one without ads. Both tiers include access to live Thursday Night Football and playoff games. Paramount Plus does not offer a free trial period that includes live sports access, though promotional offers vary by time of year.
You can watch on the Paramount Plus app (available on phones, tablets, and streaming devices), on the Paramount Plus website through a web browser, or on some smart TVs that have the app built in. You will need to sign in with your account credentials each time you watch. Make sure your internet connection is stable, as live sports require a steady stream to avoid buffering.
Games you cannot watch on Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus does not carry Sunday afternoon games, Sunday night games, or Monday night games. Those air on CBS, Fox, ESPN, and NBC respectively. Wednesday games, if they occur, air on other networks. The only regular-season games on Paramount Plus are Thursday nights.
If you want to watch the full range of NFL games each week, you will need subscriptions to multiple services or cable access. Many people use a combination of Paramount Plus (for Thursday), ESPN Plus (for Monday Night Football), and broadcast networks or cable for Sunday games. The NFL also offers NFL Plus, a separate subscription service that has its own game offerings, though it does not include Thursday Night Football.
How to find the Thursday Night Football schedule
Open the Paramount Plus app or website and look for the sports section or live TV guide. The Thursday Night Football games are listed there with the teams, date, and kickoff time. You can also visit the NFL's official website, which publishes the full season schedule including which network carries each game.
Many people bookmark the Paramount Plus sports page or the NFL schedule page so they can check it quickly before Thursday. If you have a smart TV with the Paramount Plus app, you can often see upcoming games listed on the home screen. Setting a reminder on your phone for game time is also helpful, since Thursday Night Football airs at the same time each week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFL games on Paramount Plus without paying?
No. Paramount Plus requires a paid subscription to watch live NFL games, including Thursday Night Football. The free tier of Paramount Plus does not include access to live sports.
What time do Thursday Night Football games start on Paramount Plus?
Thursday Night Football typically kicks off at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time. The exact time can vary slightly depending on the week and the teams playing, so check the schedule in advance to confirm.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on demand if I miss the live game?
Yes, Paramount Plus usually makes Thursday Night Football available on demand after the live broadcast ends. Availability depends on your subscription tier and location, so check the app to see if the game is available in your area.
Does Paramount Plus have all the NFL playoff games?
No. Paramount Plus carries some playoff games, typically the Wild Card round, but other playoff rounds air on different networks. Check the NFL schedule or Paramount Plus closer to the playoffs to see which games are on Paramount Plus that year.
Can I watch Sunday NFL games on Paramount Plus?
No. Paramount Plus only carries Thursday Night Football during the regular season. Sunday games air on CBS, Fox, and other networks. You will need different services or cable to watch Sunday games.