Finding the right game on Sunday morning feels like a high-stakes scavenger hunt. You sit down, wings ready, only to realize your local affiliate is showing a blowout while the game of the year is happening three states over. If you’re trying to navigate the nfl week 10 coverage map, honestly, it’s a bit of a maze. Week 10 in the 2025 season was particularly chaotic because of the international schedule and some massive divisional matchups that split the country into weird little broadcast islands.
Basically, the "map" isn't just one map. It's a collection of decisions made by network executives and local affiliates who are betting on what they think you want to see.
The CBS Single Game Puzzle
CBS had the "single" window for Week 10, meaning most of the country only got one game from them all day. This is where things got tricky. If you lived in the Northeast, you likely saw the Patriots visiting the Buccaneers. This was a "prestige" broadcast because CBS sent their A-team: Jim Nantz and Tony Romo.
However, if you were in Florida or Texas, the map looked totally different.
- Florida and New England: Most of these regions were locked into the Patriots-Bucs game.
- Texas and Jacksonville: These areas were painted blue on the map for the Jaguars vs. Texans game, called by Ian Eagle and J.J. Watt.
- Miami and Western New York: The Dolphins-Bills rivalry took over these markets.
- The West Coast: While most of the East was watching 1:00 p.m. starts, Seattle and Arizona fans had to wait for the 4:05 p.m. late window to see the Cardinals play the Seahawks on CBS.
It’s kind of wild how a city like Houston can be watching one thing while Dallas (on a bye week) might be getting a completely different "national" feed. That’s the beauty—and the frustration—of the nfl week 10 coverage map.
Fox Had the Doubleheader Advantage
Fox held the doubleheader rights for Week 10, which means they aired games in both the early (1:00 p.m. ET) and late (4:25 p.m. ET) slots. This is usually when you see the biggest "America's Game of the Week" pushes.
The early Fox window was dominated by the Giants vs. Bears. Joe Davis and Greg Olsen had the call for most of the country. But if you were in the Mid-Atlantic or the North, you probably saw the Ravens and Vikings. That game was a ratings magnet because of the playoff implications, yet Fox kept it somewhat regional.
Then came the late afternoon. This is where the map turned almost entirely red.
The Rams vs. 49ers matchup was the "main" event. Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady were in the booth, and Fox sent this game to nearly 80% of the United States. If you weren't in Michigan or the D.C. area (who got the Lions vs. Commanders), you were almost certainly watching the NFC West showdown at Levi's Stadium.
The Games You Couldn't Find on a Map
Don't forget that the nfl week 10 coverage map only covers the afternoon "regional" games. There were four games this week that didn't appear on those color-coded maps at all because they were national broadcasts.
Thursday Night Football started the week with the Raiders and Broncos on Amazon Prime. Then, Sunday morning gave us a "breakfast" game. The Falcons and Colts played in Berlin, Germany. That was an NFL Network exclusive, kicking off at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Sunday Night Football featured the Steelers and Chargers on NBC. Finally, Monday Night Football wrapped things up with a massive clash between the Eagles and Packers on ABC and ESPN. If you were looking for these on your local CBS or Fox station, you were out of luck.
Why Your Local Map Might Look Weird
Ever wonder why you’re stuck with a game you don't care about? It usually comes down to "primary markets." Every NFL team has a primary market (the city they play in) and secondary markets (surrounding areas).
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By NFL rule, the local affiliate MUST air the road games of the local team. If the team is at home, the affiliate usually airs it unless there's a blackout (which is rare these days) or a conflicting broadcast rule.
In Week 10, four teams were on a bye: the Bengals, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Titans. When a team is on a bye, the local stations have more freedom to pick the "best" game available. This is why fans in Dallas might have seen the Giants-Bears game on Fox, while fans in Nashville might have seen something else entirely. It's all about what the local station manager thinks will pull the highest Nielsen numbers.
How to use this for future weeks:
- Check 506 Sports: They are the gold standard for these maps. They usually update them on Wednesday or Thursday of game week.
- Verify your local listings: Sometimes an affiliate makes a last-minute switch if a trade happens or an injury changes the game's "watchability."
- Use a VPN or Sunday Ticket: If you’re an out-of-market fan, the coverage map is basically your enemy. YouTube TV’s Sunday Ticket is the only legal way to ignore the map entirely.
The nfl week 10 coverage map serves as a weekly reminder that the NFL is a regional business. Even in a world of global streaming, where you live still dictates what you see on your 65-inch screen.
Next time you're frustrated that you're watching a 30-point blowout, just remember: someone at a TV station in your city literally hand-picked that game for you. Check your local listings early, and if you're stuck in a "dead zone" for your favorite team, it might be time to head to a sports bar.