You’re sitting on the couch, wings ready, and you flip to CBS expecting to see Lamar Jackson tearing up the turf. Instead, you get a Dolphins-Falcons game that feels like it’s being played in slow motion. We've all been there. Understanding the NFL broadcast map week 8 is basically a survival skill if you actually want to see the good games without a frantic Google search at 12:59 PM.
Honestly, Week 8 is a bit of a mess. We have six teams on a bye—the Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars, Rams, Raiders, and Seahawks are all out. That thins the herd. But it also means the networks have to be incredibly picky about who gets the "National" treatment. If you live in a pocket of the country that doesn't care about the local team, you’re basically at the mercy of the "Eye" and the "Shield."
The CBS Doubleheader Strategy
CBS has the doubleheader this week. That’s a big deal. It means most of the country is getting two helpings of AFC-centric football.
In the early window, it’s a three-way split. The Bears vs. Ravens game is the "big one." Ian Eagle and J.J. Watt are on the call, and CBS is sending this to the vast majority of the US. If you're in Chicago, Baltimore, or anywhere in the Northeast or Midwest, this is your 1:00 PM game.
But then it gets regional. The South is mostly stuck with Dolphins vs. Falcons (Kevin Harlan and Trent Green), which is great if you love track-meet speed, but maybe less so if you wanted to see the Ravens. Meanwhile, parts of the Ohio Valley are getting Jets vs. Bengals. Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta have that one. Basically, if you aren't in a Dolphins or Bengals footprint, you're almost certainly watching the Ravens try to contain a red-hot Bears squad.
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The Late Window Heavyweight
When 4:25 PM ET hits, the map turns almost entirely red. Why? Because Cowboys vs. Broncos is the marquee "A-game." Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are in Denver for this one. CBS is banking on the "America’s Team" factor to carry the ratings, even though Denver has been a surprising powerhouse this season.
There is a small "blue" slice on the map for Titans vs. Colts. Andrew Catalon and the crew are handling that one. Unless you live in Tennessee or Indiana, don't expect to see it. This is a classic AFC South regional lockdown.
The FOX Singleheader Reality
FOX only gets one game per market this week. That’s the "singleheader" rule in action. It’s kinda annoying because it means if your local team plays at 1:00 PM, you won't get a 4:00 PM game on FOX at all.
Here’s how the NFL broadcast map week 8 looks for the FOX crew:
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- Giants at Eagles: This is the "Burkhardt and Brady" special. If you're on the East Coast or in a major market like Dallas (ironically) or DC, this is what's on your screen.
- 49ers at Texans: This one is mostly for the West Coast and the Houston area. Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston are on the mic. It’s a fascinating cross-conference matchup, but FOX is keeping it fairly localized.
- Browns at Patriots: Chris Myers and Mark Schlereth. This is strictly for the New England and Cleveland markets.
- Bills at Panthers: Adam Amin and Greg Olsen. Surprisingly, this isn't getting more national play despite the Bills being a contender.
The lone late game for FOX is Buccaneers vs. Saints at 4:05 PM. Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma have the call. Because it’s a singleheader week, you’ll only see this if you didn't have an early FOX game, or if you live in Tampa or New Orleans. It’s the "Green" section of the map, and it's pretty small.
Primetime is Simple
At least the night games don't require a map.
Thursday started us off with Vikings at Chargers on Prime Video. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit are the voices of your Thursday nights now.
Sunday Night Football is the one everyone is talking about: Packers at Steelers. It’s the Aaron Rodgers "Homecoming" (sort of) as he faces his old team while wearing a different shade of black and gold. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will be at Acrisure Stadium. This is a 100% national broadcast. No maps needed.
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Then, Monday Night wraps things up with Commanders at Chiefs. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on ESPN/ABC. The big question here is Jayden Daniels' health. If he’s out, the map doesn't change, but the "watchability" definitely might.
Why Your Map Might Change
Maps aren't final until kickoff. Seriously.
Sometimes a local station will petition the league to switch games. If a game becomes a blowout or a star player gets injured on Friday, a station in, say, Salt Lake City might swap from the 49ers to the Eagles at the last second.
Also, remember the "Home Market Protection" rule. If your local team is playing at home on CBS, the FOX station in your town isn't allowed to air a game at the same time. It’s a way to force you to watch the local broadcast (and the local ads).
Actionable Steps for Sunday Morning
- Check 506 Sports: They are the gold standard for these maps. Check them on Friday night for the "final" versions.
- Verify Your Local Affiliate: Use an app like NFL+ or even just your cable's "Guide" button to see what’s actually scheduled.
- Plan Your Streaming: If you're out of market, you'll need Sunday Ticket (YouTube TV). There's no legal way around the map otherwise, unless you're using a VPN with the NFL+ international tier, but that’s a whole different rabbit hole.
- Watch the Weather: Late October in Denver or Pittsburgh can get nasty. High winds or heavy rain can turn a "passing clinic" into a "ground-and-pound" snooze fest, which might make you want to flip to a different game on the map anyway.
The NFL broadcast map week 8 is a puzzle, but once you see the colors, it makes sense. CBS wants the Cowboys' ratings, and FOX is putting Tom Brady on the biggest rivalry they have available. Stick to the red zones on the map if you want the high-stakes action this weekend.