How to Watch NFL Games 2023

The year 2023 has been anything but predictable. Nobody would have thought the entire world would come to a halt, but it did. Faced with a pandemic, there were not many choices really.

With hundreds of thousands of people losing their lives and many more infected, the USA too was placed under lockdown with all public gatherings and events suspended in a bid to flatten the curve. Cancellation of tournaments was the first in American history and for a country that celebrates sports, it was a tough pill to swallow.

People who spend hours upon hours in front of the television watching their favorite sports really struggled. Stuck at home with nothing to do except watching TV, it made quite a few sports lovers lose their mind when they found out matches just wont be taking place. Luckily, however, things are getting back to normal and if everything goes as planned, well have NFL matches kicking off in a few days' time. Excited? Well, so are we!

The much-awaited 2023 NFL season, coincidentally the 101^st is sure to be remembered for a long time, and you would not want to miss out on that. So, if for any reason you dont already have a TV service plan in place, which allows you to watch the games, you might want to hurry with getting that sorted before the season starts.

To help you out we have made a list of the plans worth checking, so read on to find the one most suited to you!

Networks That Broadcast NFL Games

Before we move forward, let us look at which networks broadcast NFL games. Only with that sorted can we discuss which providers and plans to go for. Here they are:

Whether its a cable or satellite TV service you are going for or a streaming service if you want to make sure you dont miss an NFL game, ensure the service you subscribe to offers these five channels. That way you will be able to watch each in-market and primetime game.

If that is not a feasible option for you, let us add that you can also catch most on-air broadcasts from your local FOX, CBS and NBC affiliates by installing an antenna at your residence. That is if you dont mind missing some of the seasons' games. It is free after all!

The Best All-Rounder: DIRECTV

When talking about providers and plans that will bring you all the networks you must-have in the channel lineup so as not to miss out on the NFL games 2023, DIRECTV is one of the topmost choices.

DIRECTV offers a variety of 5 cable TV plans, but if you are a die-hard fan and simply must have it all, there are 3 top-tier channel lineups you will find suitable: XTRA, ULTIMATE, and PREMIER™. You can subscribe to these DIRECTV plans for $79.99/mo., $84.99/mo. and $134.99/mo., respectively for the first 12 months. Subscription to any of these will get you a free of cost 2023 NFL Sunday Ticket, which is a huge perk. Plus, you will get access to the much needed CBS, ESPN, NBC, and FOX networks. You can also choose to go for DIRECTV CHOICE™ and get the free NFL Sunday Ticket, while the primary lineup includes must-have sports networks for NFL games too. This DIRECTV plan costs $69.99/mo.

The best part is with DIRECTV you will be able to watch every single game in 4 times the resolution of HD. The sharp picture and lifelike detail of NFL Live games broadcast on DIRECTV make for an experience like none other. DIRECTV is not only reputed as the undisputed leader in sports, but the service also broadcasts content in the industry best picture format-- attributes that make it #1 in the realm of satellite TV in the U.S. However, great service doesnt come cheap, and you will do well to read the fine print.

Subscription to DIRECTV is contractually binding, 2 years to be exact. And, the catch is it doesnt cost the same in the second year. After the promotional period ends, the subscription costs the then prevailing standard rate. Whats more, the NFL Sunday Ticket is free for the first year. Come second-year you will be expected to dish out $293.94 for the full season. Also, do remember DIRECTV subscription entails an activation fee of $19.95 and a regional sports fee up to $9.99. So, when you are making a decision, you must factor these charges in. Otherwise, you may just be taken aback by the bill at your doorstep.

Then again, since you going to subscribe to a TV service anyways, you might as well go for a DIRECTV channel lineup because despite the downsides we outlined above, the overall value of a DIRECTV deal is pretty outstanding.  

The Best Streaming Service: fuboTV

If you rather go the streaming route there is no better service than fuboTV, especially when it comes to indulging in your NFL cravings.

With the Ultra plan, you get access to 141 channels for $84.99 a month. This plan includes nearly all fuboTV additional packages such as Sports Plus, fubo Extra, and SHOWTIME®. fuboTV brings you all games broadcast on CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and the NFL network.  

If however, you find it more suitable to go for the Family plan with fuboTV, let us tell you the option to include your sports favorites is still there. All you need to do is add on the Sports Plus package to your primary subscription and gain access to the NFL RedZone® as well as many other sports networks favored by American sports lovers such as the MLB, NHL, Tennis Channel, etc. The Sports Plus package costs $10.99 a month, but its totally worth it.

The downside of not being able to opt for the NFL Sunday Night Ticket is that you wont be able to watch all NFL season games. However, fuboTV requires no term commitment and no promo period either after which you may face a price hike. So, if you are game for a little compromise on what you dont get with fuboTV relative to DIRECTV, a fuboTV plan may just be the most suitable choice for you.

The Best of Both Worlds: Spectrum TV

Streaming NFL is quite convenient, but it can get really expensive when you add the internet plan to the total expense. This is often why people stick with a cable TV service. But, with cord-cutting on the rise, more and more cable providers are beginning to offer internet and cable TV bundles that bring great value for your money. While some have also introduced streaming services bundled with the internet. For instance, Charter Spectrum™ -- a reputable nationwide cable provider with innovative solutions on the menu in order to meet the needs and wants of consumers.

Spectrum not only offers you well-planned cable TV channel lineups—SELECT, SILVER & GOLD—but a streaming service too, that comes with three plan options. TV Choice, TV Stream, and TV Essentials. TV Choice is the one that gives you an option to pick any 10 of your favorite networks from among 65 and start streaming with Spectrum Internet. All you need to do is make sure you pick the right networks.  

Let us add, the Spectrum TV Choice will cost you $24.99/mo., while Spectrum Standard Internet which brings you a 100 Mbps fast connection is for $49.99/mo. (for 12 months). There are no contracts, and you get unlimited data too, but there is a price hike in the second year as far as the internet. The one downside is you can subscribe to Spectrums streaming service only when you also subscribe to Spectrum Internet.

On the other hand, there are Spectrums cable TV plans—which do not necessitate a subscription to Spectrum Internet. And, you can subscribe to an add-on Sports package when you go for Spectrum cable TV.  The Spectrum cable TV channel lineup is diverse and balanced—and when you go for Spectrum TV SILVER or Spectrum TV GOLD, for $69.99 and $89.99 per month (for 12 months) respectively, you get access to a good number of sports networks that broadcast NFL games.

A comparison of both options from Charter Spectrum™ based on your requirements and budget can lead to a solid decision that is a perfect fit.

Cut the Nonsense: Standalone service

As you can see most available options give you access to a good number of NFL games. But DIRECTV is the only service which brings you the NFL Sunday Night Ticket too. It may get pricey but if you want to give yourself a real treat, going with DIRECTV plans is the most appropriate option for NFL lovers.

But, before we go, let us tell you there is a way to go for standalone NFL Sunday Ticket too. The downside is, it isnt offered in every region. You must be where a clear DIRECTV satellite signal is not accessible, or you are not eligible for DIRECTV service because you are not allowed to install a satellite dish at your place. In such a situation, you can get a streaming-only subscription via NFLSundayTicket.tv and watch every Live out-of-market game on a streaming device of your choice. 

Standalone NFL SUNDAY TICKET will cost you under $300 per season which is quite reasonable. If you are a college student, however, it will cost you even less with your student discount. How cool is that!

In case, you like access to all the other games besides the Sunday affair wed suggest you get an antenna to catch local on-air networks. All you need to pay for that is the cost of device and installation. If you are tech-savvy, however, you can even skip on that. Its the perfect pairing really.

Final Words

Well, leave you to mull over these options. These are the best NFL lovers would find on the market. If the price is not an issue, DIRECTV is the way to go. And, if streaming is your jam, it might be fuboTV that you need. If you are someone who wants to play it safe, you can bet on Spectrum. Then again, if you are lucky to live in an area blessed by the NFL gods, you might want to get the standalone NFL Sunday Ticket subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does DIRECTV offer free NFL Sunday Ticket?

If you subscribe to DIRECTVs CHOICE™ plan or above, you will be able to watch every Sunday game Live on your TV free of charge for the first year of the contract. You can call at 1-855-820-1220 for expert advice on which DIRECTV plan may be the best fit for your needs.

How much does a Sunday NFL ticket cost?

While NFL Sunday Ticket is not available as a standalone service everywhere, if you are located in a region where it is available, it will cost you under $300 per season. If you a student you might be able to get a good discount.

How long is the DirecTV contract?

DIRECTV plans require a two-year contract. After the first 12 months, you are charged the then prevailing standard rate. If you wish to terminate the contract at any point before the term is up, you may have to pay a pro-rated ETF of up to $20/mo. for each month left on your contract.