NFL coverage map shows 12 games today in Week 16 across multiple networks, with matchups spread throughout the afternoon and evening. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Carolina Panthers in one of the most competitive early windows. Here’s everything you need to know about where to find your favorite team playing in your region.
🔥 Quick Facts
- A total of 12 NFL games air on Sunday, December 21, 2025 for Week 16
- CBS broadcasts 6 games while Fox broadcasts 5 games with different regional coverage
- Games kick off at 1 p.m. ET, 4:05 p.m. ET, 4:25 p.m. ET, and 8:20 p.m. ET time slots
- NBC’s Sunday Night Football features the New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens at 8:20 p.m. ET
NFL Week 16 Early Games at 1 p.m. ET
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The early afternoon slate kicks off with seven simultaneous matchups at 1 p.m. ET across Fox and CBS networks. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers meet in an important NFC South showdown that Fox will broadcast nationwide to key regions.
Fox’s coverage includes the Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys, a widely distributed regional matchup. Meanwhile, CBS features the Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins, New York Jets at New Orleans Saints, and the Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants. Regional coverage maps determine exactly which game airs in your specific area.
| Network | Games at 1 p.m. ET | Regional Coverage |
| Fox | 3 games | Buccaneers-Panthers, Chargers-Cowboys, Vikings-Giants |
| CBS | 4 games | Bills-Browns, Chiefs-Titans, Bengals-Dolphins, Jets-Saints |
| Late Window (4+ p.m.) | 5 games | Both networks split afternoon/evening slots |
Afternoon Slate: 4:05 p.m. ET and 4:25 p.m. ET Windows
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The afternoon continues with three Fox games at 4:05 p.m. ET featuring the Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals. This window showcases key divisional matchups with significant playoff implications for teams fighting for postseason positioning.
CBS then takes the late-afternoon 4:25 p.m. ET slot with two crucial contests: the Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions and Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans. The Steelers-Lions matchup carries substantial weight in both the AFC and NFC playoff races. The Denver Broncos have an opportunity to clinch their AFC West division title on this Sunday.
Regional Coverage Maps Explained
NFL games are distributed by region through a complex coverage map system managed by 506 Sports. Early-afternoon games use color-coded regions showing which game broadcasts in your specific geographic area. Your local geography determines whether you see the Buccaneers-Panthers or Chargers-Cowboys game.
Fox’s coverage map displays five different color zones for early games, while CBS’s map shows four distinct regions. Late-afternoon matchups receive wider distribution, allowing more viewers nationwide access to premium divisional games. Viewers can visit official NFL broadcast websites or local station guides to identify exactly which game appears in their designated region.
Sunday Night Football and Streaming Options
NBC concludes Week 16 with Sunday Night Football featuring the New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens at 8:20 p.m. ET. This nightcap provides fans with an exciting primetime matchup after the afternoon slate concludes. Streaming services including Peacock, Fubo, and NFL+ all offer live coverage of this game.
All Sunday games can be streamed through official network apps and paid services. Fubo offers free trials for new subscribers wanting to access Fox, CBS, and NBC broadcasts. Paramount+ subscribers can stream CBS content, while NFL+ provides exclusive access to select primetime games for subscription holders.
What Does Week 16 Mean for the 2025 Playoff Picture?
With only two teams already clinched after 15 weeks, Week 16 remains absolutely critical for playoff positioning. Eight division titles remain undecided, and twelve playoff spots hang in the balance across both conferences. The Denver Broncos can clinch the AFC West with a win over Jacksonville.
Following today’s slate, fans will enjoy the NFL’s Christmas triple-header on Thursday before the final regular-season games on Monday, December 22. The San Francisco 49ers visit the Indianapolis Colts in the Week 16 Monday Night Football finale. Wild-card playoffs begin January 10-12, 2026, marking the start of the postseason journey.
“The NFL’s Saturday slate starts in Week 16, but the Sunday slate still has 12 games with crucial playoff implications across both conferences.”
— USA Today Sports, NFL Coverage Analysis
Sources
- USA Today – NFL Week 16 coverage maps and TV schedule breakdown
- The Big Lead – Complete Sunday game listings with start times
- 506 Sports – Official regional coverage map data
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.