The National Football League (NFL) is the heartbeat of American sports, delivering thrilling action and unforgettable moments every week. For fans eager to catch every snap, knowing the schedule and streaming options for NFL games today is crucial. Whether you’re rooting for your hometown team or following a playoff contender, this comprehensive guide provides the full schedule for today’s NFL games, along with detailed streaming and viewing options to ensure you don’t miss a moment. With the 2025 NFL season in full swing, let’s dive into the games happening today, July 17, 2025, and explore how to watch them.
Understanding the NFL Schedule for Today
The 2025 NFL season runs from September 4, 2025, to January 5, 2026, with the playoffs kicking off on January 12 and culminating in Super Bowl 59 on February 8, 2026. While most NFL games are played on Sundays, select matchups occur on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays, with special holiday games like Thanksgiving and Christmas adding extra excitement. As of today, July 17, 2025, we are in the NFL offseason, meaning no regular-season or playoff games are scheduled. However, this guide will focus on the broader context of the NFL schedule, typical game days, and how to prepare for watching games when the season resumes, while also providing insights into preseason activities and streaming options.
Why No Games Today?
July 17, 2025, falls during the NFL offseason, a period when teams are preparing for the upcoming season through training camps, roster evaluations, and preseason games. The 2025 NFL preseason schedule was released on May 14, with games typically starting in August. For example, a notable preseason matchup includes the Vikings vs. Titans on August 22, 2025, broadcast on CBS. Since no games are scheduled today, fans can focus on staying updated with NFL Network programming, team news, or preparing their streaming subscriptions for the regular season.
How to Watch NFL Games: Streaming and TV Options
When the NFL season is active, fans have a variety of options to watch games, from traditional cable to modern streaming services. Below, we outline the best ways to catch NFL action, ensuring you’re ready when games return.
Cable and Over-the-Air Options
- CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN: These networks broadcast the majority of NFL games, including Sunday afternoon games (CBS and FOX), Sunday Night Football (NBC), Monday Night Football (ESPN/ABC), and select Thursday games. Local affiliates air in-market games, so check your local listings.
- NFL Network: This channel offers exclusive coverage of six international games in 2025, plus a Week 17 matchup. It’s also a hub for NFL analysis, shows like Good Morning Football, and live game coverage.
- Antenna: For fans in areas with strong reception, an over-the-air antenna can pick up CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC for free, covering most local and primetime games.
Streaming Services
Streaming has revolutionized how fans watch NFL games, offering flexibility and access across devices. Here are the top streaming platforms for NFL coverage:
- Paramount+: Streams all NFL on CBS games, including local market games, postseason matchups, and the AFC Championship. Plans start at $7.99/month, with the ability to pause, rewind, and fast-forward.
- Peacock: The go-to for Sunday Night Football and NBC games, including the NFL Kickoff Game (Cowboys vs. Eagles on September 4, 2025) and a Thanksgiving night game. Peacock’s premium plans start at $7.99/month, with a discounted $2.99/month for eligible students.
- Amazon Prime Video: Home to Thursday Night Football, broadcasting 16 regular-season games in 2025, plus a Black Friday game and a Wild Card playoff game. Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime subscription ($15/month) or standalone for $9/month.
- YouTube TV: Offers a comprehensive package with CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network, covering nearly all in-market and primetime games. Plans start at $72.99/month, with NFL Sunday Ticket available for out-of-market games ($349-$489/year).
- Hulu + Live TV: Includes CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus access to Disney+ and ESPN+. Plans start at $82.99/month with unlimited DVR storage for up to nine months.
- FuboTV: A sports-focused service with CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus optional add-ons like NFL RedZone for $10/month. Plans start at $79.99/month with a free trial.
- Sling TV: Offers ESPN (Sling Orange) and NFL Network/NBC (Sling Blue), but requires the combined Orange + Blue package ($55/month) for full NFL coverage. NFL RedZone is available as a $15/month add-on.
- NFL+: The NFL’s own streaming service, starting at $6.99/month, provides live local and primetime games on mobile devices, plus NFL Network and game replays. NFL+ Premium ($14.99/month) adds NFL RedZone and full game replays on all devices.
- Netflix: Streams select games, including two Christmas Day matchups in 2025: Cowboys vs. Commanders and Lions vs. Vikings. Plans start at $6.99/month.
- YouTube: Streams the Week 1 Chiefs vs. Chargers game from São Paulo, Brazil, for free, a first for the platform.
Free Streaming Options
While most NFL streaming requires paid subscriptions, fans can leverage free trials to watch games without immediate cost. Services like FuboTV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV offer 7-day trials, but you must cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges. Additionally, the NFL app and NFL Channel provide free live game-day coverage, highlights, and replays, though live games are not included.
NFL Schedule Highlights for the 2025 Season
To prepare for the regular season, here’s a look at key games and events from the 2025 NFL schedule, based on official releases from NFL.com, ESPN, and CBS Sports:
- Week 1 (September 4-8, 2025):
- Thursday, September 4: Cowboys vs. Eagles (NFL Kickoff Game, NBC/Peacock, 8:20 PM ET)
- Friday, September 5: Chiefs vs. Chargers (São Paulo, Brazil, YouTube, 8:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, September 7: Ravens vs. Bills (NBC/Peacock, 8:20 PM ET); Lions vs. Packers (CBS/Paramount+, 4:25 PM ET)
- Monday, September 8: Vikings vs. Bears (ESPN/ABC, 8:15 PM ET)
- Thanksgiving (November 27, 2025):
- Packers vs. Lions (FOX, 1:00 PM ET)
- Chiefs vs. Cowboys (CBS/Paramount+, 4:30 PM ET)
- Ravens vs. Bengals (NBC/Peacock, 8:20 PM ET)
- Christmas (December 25, 2025):
- Cowboys vs. Commanders (Netflix, 1:00 PM ET)
- Lions vs. Vikings (Netflix, 4:30 PM ET)
- Broncos vs. Chiefs (Amazon Prime Video, time TBD)
- Week 18 (January 3-5, 2026):
- Two Saturday games (4:30 PM and 8:00 PM ET, teams TBD after Week 17)
- Sunday games include flexible scheduling, with one Sunday Night Football game (NBC/Peacock, 8:20 PM ET)
- Playoffs: Begin January 12, 2026, with Wild Card games across CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN/ABC.
- Super Bowl 59: February 8, 2026, on NBC/Peacock.
For a full week-by-week schedule, visit NFL.com or ESPN.com, as Week 18 matchups are finalized after Week 17 due to flexible scheduling.
International Games in 2025
The 2025 season features seven international games, the most in NFL history, played across Europe and South America:
- Week 1: Chiefs vs. Chargers (São Paulo, Brazil, YouTube)
- Week 4: Vikings vs. Steelers (Dublin, Ireland, NFL Network)
- Week 5: Vikings vs. Browns (London, England, NFL Network)
- Week 6: Broncos vs. TBD (London, England, NFL Network)
- Week 7: Rams vs. TBD (London, England, NFL Network)
- Week 8: Falcons vs. TBD (Berlin, Germany, NFL Network)
- Week 10: Commanders vs. TBD (Madrid, Spain, NFL Network)
These games are exclusive to NFL Network and NFL+, except for the Brazil game on YouTube.
NFL RedZone: The Ultimate Game-Day Experience
For fans wanting to catch every touchdown, NFL RedZone is a must-have. Available as an add-on with YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, Sling TV ($15/month), and NFL+ Premium ($14.99/month), RedZone provides live whip-around coverage of all Sunday afternoon games, focusing on scoring plays and critical moments. It’s ideal for fantasy football players and fans who want a comprehensive view of the day’s action.
Tips for NFL Fans During the Offseason
Since no games are happening today, here are ways to stay engaged with the NFL:
- Watch NFL Network: Tune into shows like Good Morning Football, NFL Total Access, or rookie training camp coverage for updates and highlights.
- Follow Team News: Check NFL.com, ESPN, or X for updates on roster changes, training camp battles, and fantasy football insights.
- Set Up Streaming Subscriptions: Use the offseason to explore free trials for Paramount+, Peacock, or YouTube TV to ensure you’re ready for the regular season.
- Plan for Preseason: Mark your calendar for August 22, 2025, when CBS airs the Vikings vs. Titans preseason game, and check CBSSports.com for the full preseason schedule.
Regional Blackouts and Out-of-Market Games
NFL games are subject to regional blackouts, meaning some games may not be available in your area if they’re not nationally broadcast. To watch out-of-market games, consider:
- NFL Sunday Ticket: Available through YouTube TV ($349/year for subscribers, $449 for non-subscribers), this service provides access to all out-of-market Sunday games.
- NFL+: Offers live local and primetime games on mobile devices, with Premium adding out-of-market replays.
Check your local listings or the FCC’s TV reception maps to confirm available channels in your area.
Subscription Costs and Free Trials
Here’s a quick breakdown of subscription costs for NFL streaming:
- Paramount+: $7.99/month
- Peacock: $7.99/month ($2.99/month for students)
- Amazon Prime Video: $15/month (Prime) or $9/month (standalone)
- YouTube TV: $72.99/month, Sunday Ticket $349-$489/year
- Hulu + Live TV: $82.99/month
- FuboTV: $79.99/month
- Sling TV: $55/month (Orange + Blue)
- NFL+: $6.99/month, Premium $14.99/month
- Netflix: $6.99/month (for select games)
Most services offer 7-day free trials, except NFL+ and Netflix. Always cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges.
Why the NFL Matters
The NFL, founded in 1920, is a cultural juggernaut with the highest average attendance among professional sports leagues. Its playoff system, established in 1933, and the modern Super Bowl format, in place since 1967, have made it a global phenomenon. The 2025 season promises intense rivalries, breakout stars like Caleb Williams, and marquee matchups like Chiefs vs. Bills. Even during the offseason, the NFL keeps fans engaged with draft coverage, free agency, and training camp storylines.
Conclusion
While there are no NFL games today, July 17, 2025, due to the offseason, fans can prepare for the upcoming season by exploring streaming options, following team news, and marking their calendars for key dates like the preseason kickoff on August 22 and the regular season start on September 4. With a range of platforms like Paramount+, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV, you can tailor your viewing experience to catch every game, from local broadcasts to out-of-market matchups. Stay tuned to NFL.com, ESPN, or CBS Sports for the latest schedule updates, and leverage free trials to test streaming services before committing. Get ready for an electrifying 2025 NFL season!