The 2025 NFL playoffs are here, as Wild Card Weekend will feature six games starting on Saturday, Jan. 11, and running through Monday, Jan. 13. The six games are strewn across numerous networks and streaming services, so we are going to run through all of the options and preview each of the games. You will need Prime Video to watch the AFC North rematch between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, but for the bulk of Wild Card Weekend and the rest of the playoffs, we recommend watching with a subscription to Hulu + Live TV.

How to watch 2025 NFL Playoffs

• When: Begins Saturday, Jan. 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET
• TV: Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2
• Stream: Watch with a subscription to Hulu + Live TV, or across Paramount+, Prime Video, Peacock, and ESPN+
• From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.

Everything you need to know to stream the 2025 NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend

Watch a preview for NFL Wild Card Weekend

Why we like Hulu + Live TV for streaming the 2025 NFL Playoffs

Hulu + Live TV is our favorite way to watch the 2025 NFL Playoffs, especially since it offers a three-day free trial which will get a full weekend of action at no cost. Plans start at $83 per month and it carries all the channels you need to watch every NFL game, except the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens game appearing on Prime Video.

Hulu + Live TV offers all of the major broadcast and cable channels in nearly every market in the country. That means that all of the networks that will air games during the playoffs — ABC, CBS, ESPN, [ESPN 2], Fox, and NBC — will be on the service. So from an accessibility perspective, you can’t get a better option, as Hulu + Live TV is the cheapest option.

While being the cheapest live TV streaming service with all of the NFL-broadcasting channels is a huge positive, that is not the only bonus. In addition to price, Hulu + Live TV offers something that no other streamer can. With your subscription, you can also get Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu’s on-demand service at no additional cost. That’s an added value of $15 per month. And ESPN+’s wall-to-wall sports programming is a great supplement to all of the on-field action during the playoffs.

Free 3-Day Trial

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Hulu Live TV

Hulu Live TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 70 channels for $82.99/month. Hulu + Live TV base plan includes local channels, 33 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Subscribers get free access to Disney+ and ESPN+ at no extra charge.

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The service provides an unlimited DVR with the ability to skip through commercials. You also have the option to upgrade for premium channels, unlimited screens, and commercial-free access to Hulu’s on-demand library.

Free 3-Day Trial

$82.99+ / month

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What other streamers can you use to watch NFL Wild Card Weekend?

In addition to Hulu + Live TV, there are three other streamers that will offer you all of the channels carrying NFL playoff games and fortunately, all of them have some sort of free trial. DIRECTV STREAM offers the longest, consistent trial at five days, but Fubo and YouTube TV also offer trials that can be as long as two weeks, but as short as one day, depending on a variety of factors.

So, when you sign up for your service of choice, just make sure that you take note of how long your trial will be.

How to watch the NFL Playoffs from anywhere

If you’ll be away from home and can’t watch the game as you normally would, you can still catch all of the action no matter where you are in the world with a VPN. A VPN can be used on your phone, tablet, or computer and make you appear to be back home — even when you’re not — making sure you feel at home no matter where you are. A VPN is a safe and secure way to stay protected online while streaming your favorite sports, movies, and shows on the go. Keep in mind that you will still need to be subscribed to a live TV streaming like Sling TV in order to stream the NFL Playoffs with a VPN.

NordVPN is one of the best providers around, at one of the best prices. Currently, you can get two full years of protection for just $3.59 per month — plus you’ll get three extra months FREE. A high-speed VPN with best-in-class security that can be used on up to 10 devices at once — what more could you ask for? Simply sign up, install the software on your device of choice, and start streaming just as you would back home. It couldn’t be easier!

While NordVPN is our recommendation for the best VPN to use while you are traveling, there are a number of other high-quality options available depending on what you are looking for.

• Best Features: ExpressVPN | Starting at $5 per month
• Best Budget Option: Surfshark | Starting at $2.50 per month
• Best Free Option: Proton VPN | Free plan available

NFL Wild Card game previews

No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Houston Texans game breakdown

The Los Angeles Chargers will face the Houston Texans in a Wild Card showdown on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET, airing on CBS and Paramount+. The Chargers, led by star quarterback Justin Herbert, will rely on offensive weapons like rookie standout Ladd McConkey (10th in receiving yards with 1,149) and running back J.K. Dobbins (if he can play – he’s questionable for Saturday) to break through Houston’s defense. On the other side, the Texans, with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud (15th in passing yards with 3,727) and star running back Joe Mixon, will look to bring an offensive attack of their own.

For any little football fans, Nickelodeon is bringing back its slime-filled, family-friendly twist on the NFL Wild Card Weekend with “NFL Wild Card Game Live from Bikini Bottom.” That means viewers can watch the Chargers vs. Texans game with a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed alternate broadcast on Nickelodeon and Paramount+, airing alongside CBS’s traditional coverage. SpongeBob and Patrick Star (voiced by Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke) will call the game from the virtual booth, joined by Nate Burleson and sideline reporters Sandy Cheeks (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence) and Dylan Schefter. Expect colorful Nick-ified graphics, augmented reality effects, and appearances from characters like Dora the Explorer, Megatron and Optimus Prime, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens game breakdown

The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. ET, airing only on Prime Video. The Ravens are the heavy favorite in this one, powered by MVP front-runner Lamar Jackson, who led the team to a 12-5 record while putting up 4,172 passing yards (sixth in the NFL) and 41 touchdowns (tied for second) in the process. His dual-threat ability may be too much for Russel Wilson (22nd in passing yards with 2,482) and the Steelers to handle – but that’s why they play the game.

No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills game breakdown

The Denver Broncos line up against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. ET, airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix will likely lead the Broncos in his first-ever playoff appearance, aiming to make a statement against the experienced Josh Allen and the Bills’ powerful offense. This is the Broncos’ first playoff appearance since their Super Bowl 50 win, so buckle up. Buffalo, known for its explosive passing game, will look to Allen’s playmaking ability to control the tempo.

No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles game breakdown

Philadelphia Eagles fans across the country are sighing in relief now that it looks like Jalen Hurts will be okay to go in their NFC Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 4:30 p.m. ET airing on Fox. Hurts has been recovering from a concussion, while Packers’ quarterback Jordan Love is dealing with minor elbow soreness of his own but is good to go. The 11-6 Packers will aim to upset the No. 2 seeded Eagles (14-3) in a highly anticipated rematch of their Week 1 meeting, where Philadelphia took the win 34-29.

No. 6 Washington Commanders at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers game breakdown

The Washington Commanders will hope to upset the higher seeded Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they meet on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. ET, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock. The Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels who tossed for 3,568 yards this season (16th in the league) finished with an impressive 11-5 record. They’ll meet a Buccaneers team powered by veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield (third in passing yards with 4,500, tied for second in touchdowns with 41) and star wide receiver Mike Evans who is tied for fourth in the NFL with 11 touchdowns. Washington will be looking for revenge after their Week 1 loss to the Bucs with the stakes higher than ever.

No. 5 Minnesota Vikings at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams game breakdown

In the final Wild Card game of the weekend, the Minnesota Vikings will take on the Los Angeles Rams in a game that’s been moved to State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday, Jan. 13 with kick-off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC (or ESPN2 for ManningCast) and streaming on ESPN+. The Vikings, who finished second in the NFC North, are looking to rebound after a stomping by the Detroit Lions in their regular season finale by a score of 31-9. A key storyline in this game is the coaching matchup between Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and his former mentor, Rams head coach Sean McVay. Plus, we’ll get to see a duel between two of the league’s top wide receivers: the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson and the Rams’ Puka Nacua.

What is the broadcast schedule for 2025 NFL Wild Card Weekend?

Saturday will see the Los Angeles Chargers take on the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+, followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens at 8 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

Then, on Sunday, it’s a triple-header, starting with the Denver Broncos vs. the Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m. ET on CBS (and streaming on Paramount+), followed by the Green Bay Packers taking on the Philadelphia Eagles at 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox, capped off with the Washington Commanders battling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Finally, on Monday, you can watch the Minnesota Vikings take on the Los Angeles Rams at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC (or ESPN2 for the ManningCast), or stream it all on ESPN+.