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The NFL is back, with the first regular season Sunday Night game set for September 8. The matchup will be a big one, as the Los Angeles Rams will come to the Motor City to take on the Detroit Lions. The last time the two teams met was in the NFC Wild Card round of the 23-24 playoffs, where the Lions defeated the Rams by one point to earn their first playoff win since 1991. If you want to see the game and don’t have cable or antenna, there are a few ways to watch it.
At a glance: How to watch Rams vs Lions without cable
- Electricity: Peacock broadcasts NFL games on Sunday, or you can sign up for a live TV streaming service like DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling, or Hulu + LiveTV
- TV channels: You can watch the game on NBC, which broadcasts Sunday Night Football.
- Date/Start time: 08.09.24; 20:20 EDT
The easiest way to watch the game is with a Peacock subscription. NBCUniversal’s streaming service has established itself as a must-have service for sports fans by broadcasting events such as the Olympic/Paralympic Games, the Tour Championship, NASCAR, and other major sporting events.
Sunday Night Football has been a staple of NBC’s schedule since 2006, making NBC and Peacock the best way to watch the Rams-Lions game, as well as the upcoming Chiefs-Falcons game on Sunday, Sept. 22. But it’s not the only option, especially if you’re looking for a more comprehensive, multi-channel streaming service to replace cable TV. Unlike the options below, Peacock doesn’t offer a free trial, so if you want to watch the game without having to commit, consider one of the services below.
Best for zapping
DirecTV Stream
If you miss channel surfing but aren’t tied to cable and satellite installation, DirecTV Stream offers all the benefits of their satellite package, minus the hardware. Any of their packages gives you access to NBC, and their entertainment package starts at $59.99/month. DirecTV is currently in a dispute with Disney, which limits fans’ access to Disney and ESPN channels. The dispute does not affect Sunday Night Football, which is carried by NBC.
best for sports superfans
FuboTV
FuboTV is a streaming package aimed at sports fans. Packages start at $79.99, but you can try it free for 7 days. In addition to dozens of sports channels, Fubo also offers local networks like NBC, but availability varies by region, so be sure to enter your zip code before signing up.
best price-performance ratio
loop
Sling is a cost-effective option for live TV streaming and offers customizable packages depending on what you want to watch. Sling’s Blue Package gives you access to NBC and it’s currently half-off, meaning you can sign up for just $20/month.
best variety
Hulu + Live TV
Sports and streaming fans can use Hulu + Live TV, which combines Hulu’s extensive library of TV shows with live streaming. This includes local and cable news channels, as well as Disney+ and ESPN+. Hulu also offers a 3-day free trial. Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99/month after the free trial.
What you should know about the Rams vs. the Lions
The Detroit Lions are one of four teams that have never reached the Super Bowl, so there is understandably a lot of excitement this year surrounding the team led by quarterback Jared Goff. They are early favorites to make the Super Bowl, but they must defeat the defending Kansas City Chiefs if they want to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
California-born Goff began his professional career with the Los Angeles Rams, while Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford began his career with the Lions. In fact, the only two NFL teams Goff and Stafford have played for are the Rams and Lions, making Sunday’s game a particularly interesting matchup.
