20 FREE NFL Streaming Sites to Watch Live Football Streams in Nov 2024

The 2022 NFL season is in full swing, and legions of football fans are looking for reliable ways to watch games online. With cord-cutting accelerating (over 50 million U.S. households have ditched cable already), streaming has become the preferred method for accessing NFL action.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover 20 of the best free NFL streaming sites and their key features to help you find the ideal platforms to enjoy NFL games without breaking the bank this season.

NFL Streaming Overview

The rise of online streaming has significantly impacted viewing behaviors for NFL fans. According to Deloitte’s 2022 Digital Media Trends survey, 71% of U.S. households now subscribe to a streaming video service. This shift is also reflected in NFL streaming patterns:

61% of NFL fans streamed a football game in 2021, up from 52% in 2020 (Conviva)
20% of NFL viewers used only streaming to watch games last season, no cable. This is expected to reach over 25% in 2022. (Nielsen)
Thursday Night Football viewership on Amazon Prime Video was up 30% over previous years. (NFL)

For football fans seeking reliable streaming options, both paid subscription platforms like FuboTV and free streaming sites are widely available. However, blackout restrictions and limited content libraries on some services can hamper the viewing experience.

This is where our guide to the top free NFL streaming options can help fans find the best platforms to watch NFL games without incurring hefty monthly costs.

Important Note: The streaming sites mentioned here allow free access to NFL content. However, some sites may face legality issues or sudden shutdowns. It is advisable to use a premium VPN for anonymity and security when accessing these streaming platforms. We recommend NordVPN.

1. NFL Game Pass

NFL Game Pass is the official streaming service offered directly by the National Football League. It provides on-demand access to NFL games after they air on TV.

Pros:

Official NFL platform with extensive game library
Excellent video quality up to 1080p, 60 or 50fps
DVR features to record and rewatch full game replays, condensed games and coaches films
Access to games on demand shortly after live airing
Playback controls and options

Cons:

Requires paid subscription ($79.99/year or $29.99/month)
Live games not available until after they finish airing
Limited availability for some content in US due to broadcasting restrictions

2. Yahoo Sports App

The Yahoo Sports app offers limited live streaming of local and primetime NFL games on mobile and connected TVs.

Pros:

Free access to select live NFL games without subscription
Available on nearly all mobile devices and smart TV platforms
Integrated fantasy football tools, news and analysis

Cons:

Typically restricted to only 2-3 games per week
Geographic restrictions prohibit live streams for local games
Streaming quality dependent on device and connection speeds

3. NFL+

NFL+ is the NFL‘s new streaming service with live local and primetime game streams on mobile and TV devices.

Pros:

Official NFL platform with live local & primetime games
Unlimited replays of full games, condensed games and highlights
Live team radio feeds for all games
Ad-free streaming options

Cons:

Requires paid subscription ($29.99/month or $99/year)
Local games limited to mobile and tablet devices
Restricted number of simultaneous streams (1-2)

4. Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus airs live CBS and some NFL Network exclusive games along with NFL-related content.

Pros:

Official live CBS and NFL Network games (over 100+ per season)
Huge on demand library beyond NFL (30,000+ TV episodes, movies)
Original shows, live CBS feeds and local news in plans

Cons:

Requires paid subscription ($4.99+/month after free trial)
Local blackout rules apply
No NFL RedZone option

5. FuboTV

FuboTV is a sports-focused live TV streaming service with extensive NFL coverage via NFL Network, CBS, Fox, NBC and more.

Pros:

Broad NFL coverage with NFL RedZone add-on
Multiscreen streaming on up to 10 devices
250 hour cloud DVR to record games
7-day free trial available

Cons:

Higher subscription fees ($69.99+/month)
Missing ESPN, ABC channels
Potential for contract disputes like 2020 WarnerMedia blackout

6. Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV offers live streams of CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN networks which provide NFL game coverage each week.

Pros:

CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN access for NFL games
75+ live channels overall
Unlimited DVR storage space to record games
Disney+ and ESPN+ bundle available

Cons:

NFL games limited to nationally broadcast ones
$69.99+/month after free trial
Number of streams capped at 2

7. Sling TV

Sling TV provides live NFL games airing on ESPN and Fox/NBC (based on your market) through their Sling Orange and Sling Blue packages.

Pros:

ESPN, Fox, NBC for NFL games in select markets
Customizable channel packages from $35/month
50 hour DVR with game replay features
Affordable basic plans compared to cable

Cons:

Local channels limited based on region
No CBS, NFL Network or NFL RedZone
Can experience lag and buffering issues

8. DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream offers live NFL action via CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN and the NFL Network through their channel packages.

Pros:

CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN and NFL Network access
20,000+ hours of shows, movies on demand
Unlimited DVR storage to record games
5-day free trial available

Cons:

Costly subscription fees ($69.99+/month)
Sparse 4K NFL content
Qualifying minimum internet speeds

9. NFL App and Website

The official NFL app and NFL.com provide free live streams of NFL Network, along with replays of games and NFL programming.

Pros:

Official 24/7 NFL Network live feed
Replays of full NFL games, highlights and events
Live local team radio streams for every game

Cons:

Requires TV provider cable login
Local blackouts apply based on region
Restricted to mobile, tablets and computers

10. Locast

Locast is a non-profit streaming service offering access to local CBS, NBC, Fox affiliates that carry NFL games in select markets.

Pros:

Totally free access to local NFL broadcasts
Available in 35+ US markets covering ~50% of US population
Streams CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC, PBS and more

Cons:

Limited market availability
Periodic donate prompts to keep service going
Web and mobile streaming only

11. Twitch

Twitch streams Thursday Night Football games officially in partnership with the NFL.

Pros:

Official live TNF streams direct from NFL
Thursday Night Football chat rooms
Polls, real-time stats and interactive features

Cons:

Limited to Thursday Night games only
Requires free Twitch account registration

12. Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video provides live streams of 15 Thursday Night Football games exclusively for Prime members at no extra cost.

Pros:

Free TNF live streams with Prime membership
Accessible across multitude of devices
Extensive Prime benefits beyond NFL

Cons:

Restricted to only Thursday Night Football
Requires Amazon Prime subscription

13. Peacock

NBC‘s Peacock streaming service offers NBC‘s Sunday Night Football live and on demand.

Pros:

Official NBC Sunday Night Football stream
Thousands of hours of shows, movies and more

Cons:

Limited to Sunday night games only
Requires paid Peacock Premium ($4.99+/month)

14. ESPN.com/WatchESPN

ESPN‘s website and app provide limited access to live Monday Night Football for free with a TV provider login.

Pros:

Official live ESPN stream for Monday Night Football
Compatible with many devices

Cons:

Requires cable/satellite provider verification
Strictly limited to Monday games, nothing else

15. Yahoo Sports

Yahoo Sports offers free live NFL games broadcast locally on CBS and Fox networks each week during the regular season.

Pros:

Typically 2-4 free local CBS & Fox NFL games weekly
No login or subscription needed

Cons:

Local game availability varies by region
Web and mobile streaming only

16. CBS Sports

CBS Sports provides free live streams of NFL games broadcast on local CBS stations on Sundays during the regular season.

Pros:

Official live feeds of local market CBS games
Additional NFL news, analysis and highlights

Cons:

Local game availability dependent on region
Limited to just CBS-broadcast games

17. Fox Sports

Fox Sports streams local market NFL game broadcasts on Sundays for free via their website and apps.

Pros:

Official live streams of local Fox NFL games
Fox Sports GO app allows streaming across devices

Cons:

Local game availability varies by location
Restricted to Fox-aired broadcasts only

18. NFL on DAZN

DAZN is an international streaming service with NFL Game Pass access and select live regular season and postseason game coverage.

Pros:

Official live NFL games in Germany, Austria, Switzerland & more
Extensive soccer, MMA and boxing content

Cons:

Primarily available outside US only
Requires paid monthly/annual plans

19. BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer offers NFL fans in the UK free live streams and replays of Super Bowl coverage and select regular season games.

Pros:

Free access for users in the UK
Official NFL coverage from BBC networks

Cons:

Typically limited to 2-3 NFL games yearly
Geo-restricted to the UK only

20. NFL Redzone

NFL Redzone provides free previews and live "whip-around" coverage on NFL Sundays via the NFL app and website (authentication required).

Pros:

Condensed real-time highlights and look-ins
Free sampling of content available

Cons:

Short segments only, not full games
Requires TV provider verification

Using a VPN for NFL Streaming

When accessing free NFL streaming sites that may have questionable legality or sudden blackouts, using a VPN keeps your connection private and secure. According to GlobalData, over 25% of NFL streaming viewers use a VPN.

Here are some key benefits of using a VPN for streaming NFL games:

Encrypted connections keep your data safe from prying eyes
Bypass NFL blackout rules by spoofing your location into allowed areas
Prevent throttling by ISPs to enable max streaming speeds
Ad blocking for smoother streaming minus intrusive ads
Malware protection by encrypting all traffic in virtual tunnel
Access region-locked content by switching server locations

NordVPN consistently ranks as the best VPN for streaming, providing excellent speeds, platform support, and security.

FAQs about Free NFL Streaming

Are these NFL streaming sites legal?

Platforms like NFL Game Pass, Paramount+, FuboTV and others provide fully legal and authorized NFL streaming options. However, some sites operate in gray areas and may suddenly shutdown or face civil/criminal penalties for unlicensed broadcasting.

Can I stream NFL games live for free?

Services like Locast, Yahoo Sports, Twitch and the NFL app allow limited options to stream NFL games live at no cost in specific markets and on certain platforms. But their availability is restricted compared to paid services.

What devices can I stream NFL games on?

Most NFL streaming services are available across phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, streaming sticks/boxes, game consoles and web browsers. Some sites like Locast are restricted to mobile and web streaming only though.

Can I avoid blackout restrictions with a VPN?

Yes, using a VPN allows you to bypass NFL blackouts and location restrictions by routing your traffic through a server in an approved region or market not subject to the blackout.

What can I do if an NFL stream isn‘t working?

Try restarting your modem/router and device, clearing your browser cache/cookies, using a different browser, or switching to another streaming source from the platforms in our guide. A VPN can also resolve access problems.

Conclusion

While paid subscriptions offer the most comprehensive access to NFL games, there are still various free options available across official league apps, broadcasters, and streaming platforms. However, be mindful of potential limitations around which games you can watch based on contracts and regional availability.

Complementing free NFL streaming services with a high-quality VPN like NordVPN provides protection, faster speeds, and regional unlocking capabilities for the best viewing experience. We hope our rundown of 20 free NFL streaming platforms, along with tips on using a VPN, helps you enjoy NFL action without overspending this season!