Watch NFL online on iPhone, iPad, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and more devices this season. There are are several ways to watch NFL online with and without cable. I'll highlight all of the major options below.
Watch NFL online free on smartphones
The cheapest way to watch NFL online is with a Verizon cell plan. This is the only way to watch live NFL games on a smartphone other than with an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription (see below).
Verizon subscribers can watch all primetime games (Thursday, Sunday, & Monday), plus local Sunday afternoon games free on their smartphone. The RedZone Channel is also available for an extra $5 per month. Watch through the NFL Mobile app for iPhone and Android.
A few free streaming games
A few games will be streamed free to everyone. Yahoo will stream the October 25th matchup of the Bills and Jaguars from London at 9:30am ET. CBS will stream the other London game, an October 4th matchup of the Jets and Dolphins also at 9:30am ET and a Thanksgiving day game between the Cowboys and Panthers. CBS will also stream the AFC playoffs and the Superbowl for free.
Watch NFL online with Sunday Ticket
NFL Sunday Ticket is back as a streaming option, but again only in a limited way. The only games that can be watched through it are Sunday afternoon games not televised in your local area. The service is not available to everyone, either.
There are 3 packages available: $200 for mobile devices and laptops, $260 for Xbox, Playstation, and Roku, or $360 for RedZone Channel and access on all devices. Get more info and check eligibility here.
Watch NFL online with a (cable) subscription
The following options aren't available on smartphones because Verizon has exclusive smartphone streaming rights, but will work on tablets, laptops, and streaming boxes.
Monday Night Football is available with a Sling TV subscription or on watchESPN with a cable subscription. Sling TV is available for $20/month, try it free for 7 days. For cable subscribers, Sunday Night Football is available on NBC Sports Live Extra, select FOX games are available on FOX Sports Go, and NFL Network games are available as well. Not all cable providers support these digital platforms though.
More ways to watch NFL
An antenna will get you games from NBC, CBS, and FOX, provided you have reception in your area. This is a great way to watch games live for free.
Another way to watch NFL online, but not quite live is with NFL Now. NFL Now Live shows highlights and reactions all day long on Sunday, sort of a poor man's RedZone. It is available for free through the NFL Mobile app for iPhone/iPad and Android, the NFL app on Apple TV and Xbox, computers, and more.