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Want to watch the Buffalo Bills take on the Chicago Bears? Here's everything you need to stream Saturday's game on CBS.
Matt Elliott Contributor
Matt Elliott, a technology writer for more than a decade, is a PC tester and Mac user based in New Hampshire.
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Sarah Lord covers TVs and home entertainment. Prior to joining CNET, Sarah served as the tech and electronic reviews fellow at Insider, where she wrote about everything from smart watches and wearables to tablets and e-readers. She began her career by writing laptop reviews as an intern and subsequent freelancer at Tom's Hardware. She is also a professional actor with many credits in theater, film and television.
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Rae Hodge was a senior editor at CNET. She led CNET's coverage of privacy and cybersecurity tools from July 2019 to January 2023. As a data-driven investigative journalist on the software and services team, she reviewed VPNs, password managers, antivirus software, anti-surveillance methods and ethics in tech. Prior to joining CNET in 2019, Rae spent nearly a decade covering politics and protests for the AP, NPR, the BBC and other local and international outlets.
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Paramount Plus
Watch the NFL on CBS for $5 per month
The Bills have clinched a playoff spot, but can take the AFC East title with a win on the road against the Bears on Saturday. A win in Chicago would also help the Bills in their race with the Chiefs for home-field advantage in the playoffs. Both the Bills and Chiefs are 11-3, and the Bills hold the tiebreaker thanks to their win over the Chiefs earlier this year. Kickoff in Chicago is set for 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) on Saturday on CBS.
The game will be shown on TV in the Buffalo and Chicago areas (according to 506 Sports) onlive TV streamingservices, but there may be cases where you're blocked because of an internet location glitch or just want an added layer ofprivacy for streaming. There's an option that won't require you to subscribe to something likeNFL Sunday TicketorNFL Plus, or search the internet for a sketchy website: a virtual private network, orVPN.
Here's how you can watch the game from anywhere in the US with a VPN.
Read more:NFL 2022: How to Watch, Livestream Every Game Live Without Cable
Bills vs. Bears game today: When and where?
For Week 16 of the NFL season, the Bears are hosting the Bills at 12 p.m. CT (1 p.m. ET, 10 a.m. PT) on CBS. The game is set to take place at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Watch this: What It's Like Playing VR Football: NFL Pro Era Hands-On
How to watch the Bills vs. Bears game online from anywhere using a VPN
If you find yourself unable to view the game locally due toincorrectly applied blackout restrictions, you may need a different way to watch the game and that's where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, plus it's a great idea for when you're traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.
With a VPN, you're able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. So if your internet provider or mobile carrier has stuck you with an IP address that incorrectly shows your location in a blackout zone, a VPN can correct that problem by giving you an IP address in your correct, nonblackout area. Most VPNs, like ourEditors' Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.
Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US and Canada, as long as you've got a legitimate subscription to the service you're streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.
Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN dealstaking place right now.
ExpressVPN
Best VPN for streaming
ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 per month, and you cansign up for ExpressVPN and save 49% plus get three months of access for free-- the equivalent of $6.67 per month -- if you get an annual subscription.
Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Livestream the Bills vs. Bears game in the US
This week's Bills-Bears game is on CBS, so in addition to a VPN you'll need a live TV streaming service that carries a local CBS affiliate that's broadcasting the game. The least expensive such service is Paramount Plus. You'll need to be subscribed to Paramount Plus' Essential or Premium plans to be able to watch the game (or an older "limited commercials" plan).
Paramount Plus has two main options: Essential for $5 per month ($50 per year if paying annually) and Premium for $10 per month ($100 per year if paying annually). Both offer live NFL games, though the cheaper Essential option lacks live CBS feeds, ad-free content for on-demand streaming or the ability to download shows to watch offline later.
Since either option works for the NFL games, if all you want is football, the cheaper Essential option would be the way to go.
Read our Paramount Plus review.
Numerous other live TV streaming services carry local CBS stations as well, namely YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV Stream and FuboTV. They all cost more than Paramount Plus, but they also carry more channels, including football-specific channels like Fox, ESPN, NFL Network and/or RedZone. Check out our live TV streaming channel guide for details.
Quick tips for streaming Bills vs. Bears game using a VPN
- With four variables at play -- your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN -- experience and success may vary.
- We tested the game successfully using an ExpressVPN server in Chicago, so that's one location you could choose to watch the game.
- If you don't see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the "search for city or country" option.
- If you're having trouble getting the game after you've turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs -- like Roku -- don't have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you'll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you're using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
- All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network's sports app, you'll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
- And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you're using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommendBrave.
How we test VPN streaming for Saturday NFL games
For every game we use a combination of ExpressVPN and either Paramount Plus (for CBS games) or Sling TV Blue (for Fox games). Using the maps on506 Sports, we determine which servers are nearby and connect to one, then launch the streaming service and tune to the local CBS or Fox affiliate. If the channel comes through, it's successful and we report the results above. We also screenshot the relevant program guide listing (see above) on either the local CBS affiliate's website or Sling TV.
FAQs
How can I stream Buffalo Bills today? ›
Watch Buffalo Bills Games Live on Hulu + Live TV
On Hulu + Live TV, you can watch NFL games on your local ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC channels, plus ESPN and NFL Network for $69.99 per month with the base plan. Hulu + Live TV has over 75 channels in its lineup.
Watch Bears games live for FREE on ChicagoBears.com via Safari mobile web (streamed to iOS only). Geo-restricted to the markets where the game is available on TV. Please check local listings to confirm availability.
Where can I watch Bills vs Bears today? ›A frigid Saturday matchup between the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills is on tap in Week 16, and you can catch Josh Allen vs. Justin Fields on CBS and Paramount+.
How can I watch the Bills game for free? ›Bills NFL football game live for FREE with fuboTV (free trial), with DirecTV Stream (free trial) or with Paramount+ (free trial), or follow along with our live updates and see more live streaming and TV options for this game provided below.
Will the Buffalo Bills game be replayed? ›The NFL announces that the Buffalo Bills' game with the Cincinnati Bengals will not be replayed following Damar Hamlin's collapse.
How can I watch NFL streaming? ›ESPN+ gives you access to non-stop NFL action all season long, with live games, originals, highlights, and more. After you sign up, be sure to log in to your device with your ESPN account to stream on your TV and other devices. Visit ESPNplus.com/NFL for more details.
Can I watch the Bears game on the Internet? ›...
NFL Channels on Live TV Streaming Services.
Cable/Network: CBS.
Is the Bills Bears game on Paramount plus? ›Absolutely! NFL on CBS games are included with Essential, so you can catch the action come kickoff time.
What time is Bills Bears game today? ›The Bears and Bills kickoff at Noon (CT) today from Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, and it's going to be cold!
Can you live stream the Bills game? ›
Watch Buffalo Bills games live online and catch every minute of the action with NFL Game Pass. Sign up now to stream Bills games, highlights and more.
What app can I download to watch the Bills game? ›NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE local and primetime regular season games on your phone or tablet. With NFL+ Premium, watch full, condensed and all-22 coaches film game replays across devices, all ad-free. Stay Up to Date with the Top NFL Content.
How long after NFL game is replay available? ›Monday NFL games are available 24 hours after the conclusion of the Monday Night Football game telecast.
Can the Bills get the 1 seed? ›Buffalo can secure the No. 1 seed with a win over the New England Patriots on Sunday coupled with a Chiefs loss. If the Bills and Bengals square off in the AFC Championship Game it would be played in Buffalo since both teams played 16 games in the regular season.
Can the Bills get a bye in the playoffs? ›The Bills have a less than 1% chance to get a first-round bye.
Can you live stream NFL for free? ›NFL Webcast is an excellent option for free NFL live streaming in 4K. The site is NFL-focused and provides live links during NFL events for free. According to NFL Webcast, you can stream live content on any device, including desktop, tablet, and smartphone, without signing up.
Is NFL app free to stream? ›Get Free Live Local and Primetime Games, Highlights, Breaking News and More. Certain restrictions and data rates may apply.
Is NFL Network free with Amazon Prime? ›Prime Video costs $8.99, or you can get it as part of your larger Amazon Prime subscription for $14.99 per month or $139 per year (there are no extra fees for NFL streaming).
What is Bear streamed on? ›As he fights to transform the shop and himself, he works alongside a rough-around-the-edges crew that ultimately reveal themselves as his chosen family. Get Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+, all with ads, for $12.99/mo.Get Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+, all with ads, for $12.99/mo.
Why is the Bears game delayed today? ›Bears Game Temporarily Suspended Due to Severe Weather.
Are all Bills games on CBS? ›
TV channel: CBS
Bengals and Bills game will be broadcast nationally on CBS in AFC Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday, January 22, 2023. However, most of the Bills football games coverage on TV channels are FOX, NBC, CBS, NFL Network, Amazon Prime, and ESPN.
| Wk | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 11, 2023 | 8:15 pm |
| 2 | Sep 17, 2023 | 1:00 pm |
| 3 | Sep 24, 2023 | 1:00 pm |
| 4 | Oct 1, 2023 | 1:00 pm |
The game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
How can I watch the NFL game today? ›- Amazon Prime Video.
- CBS.
- ESPN.
- ESPN+
- FOX.
- NBC.
- Peacock.
- NFL Network.
For the first time ever, one NFL Playoff game will only be available via streaming. You can watch it on Peacock. The Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs is always exciting. You get a full weekend of games where each team is playing like it's their last game of the season.
Are both NFL games on Paramount plus? ›NFL content on Paramount Plus
The NFL content you get with Paramount+ is pretty basic. Primarily, you'll be able to watch every live NFL on CBS broadcast shown in your local market.
Right after the contest got going, the Bills announced that the temperature was 9 degrees.
What stadium are the Buffalo Bills playing in today? ›Buffalo Bills Highmark Stadium Home | Buffalo Bills - buffalobills.com.
Does FUBO have the Bills game? ›Absolutely! Not only does Fubo have the NFL, NBA and MLB, but you can also watch NHL, NASCAR, MLS, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, college sports and more.
Can I stream the Bills game on my phone? ›NFL App. Watch live local and primetime games during the regular season and postseason on mobile and tablet devices.
How can I watch live football on my phone for free? ›
ESPN is one of the most popular free football live streaming apps for iPhone and Android that has broadcasting rights for all major sports. With ESPN ScoreCenter, you can watch thousands of live events, on-demand news, expert analysis, premium articles, and more.
How can I watch NFL games on my phone for free? ›Just Use the NFL Mobile App
The app is free on by iOS and Android and you don't have to pay to watch to stream the games. However, the free streaming is limited to games featuring teams in your local market and the national/primetime games on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday nights on your mobile devices.
- Go to the Amazon App Store on your FireStick device.
- Search for streaming apps that offer free sports content, such as ESPN and CBS Sports.
- Install the desired app on your FireStick device.
Downloading and installing BET on FireStick is free. You can stream the first episode of any TV show on the app for free. To stream the subsequent episodes, you'll need to link your app to an active TV provider plan or subscribe to the BET monthly plan for $9.99.
Are the Buffalo Bills on peacock? ›This season, Peacock will be the exclusive home of an NFL regular-season game for the first time, as Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills visit Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers in a primetime matchup of AFC playoff teams at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 23.
How can I watch the Buffalo Bills without cable? ›To watch the NFL without cable, just start a free trial of FuboTV. You can start watching immediately on your TV, phone, computer and more. There's no contract and no commitment.
Can I watch the Bills game on Paramount plus? ›Absolutely! NFL on CBS games are included with Essential, so you can catch the action come kickoff time.
Can I watch football on Peacock for free? ›If you don't have access to NBC via your TV provider, you can stream Sunday Night Football on Peacock with a $4.99/month Peacock Premium plan.
What apps are streaming the Bills game? ›- Fubo. Devices. Local Channels. Packages.
- DIRECTV STREAM. Devices. Local Channels. Packages.
- Sling TV. Devices. Local Channels. Packages.
- Philo. Devices. Packages.
- Hulu + Live TV. Devices. Local Channels. Packages.
- Vidgo.
- Others. Amazon Prime. AMC+ DAZN. Disney+ ESPN+ Fanatiz. FITE TV. FloSports. Hayu. Hulu. KlowdTV. NBA League Pass. Netflix.
Browse the Channel Store for channels that offer free sports. You can tune into the Roku Channel or Red Bull TV for some free sports, but more popular games will cost a fee. ESPN isn't free on the Roku, although it's a popular sports steamer.
What NFL games will be on Peacock? ›
In 2024, Peacock subscribers will have even more to get excited about. The first-ever streaming-only NFL Playoff game will be exclusive to Peacock. NBCUniversal and the NFL announced that the Peacock-exclusive Wild Card game will take place on Saturday Jan 13, 2024.
Is the Bills game on prime? ›With the Bills game being on Amazon Prime, it is bringing in more fans without a subscription out to the bars to tune in.
How to get all NFL games on FireStick for free? ›You need to get capable sports addons designed to stream sports events like the NFL on FireStick. There are many Kodi addons developed specifically for sports fans around the world. You can install them in the Kodi app and start streaming NFL games on FireStick.