Rams Game Live Stream: What Most Fans Get Wrong About Watching the Playoffs

Rams Game Live Stream: What Most Fans Get Wrong About Watching the Playoffs

Honestly, trying to figure out where to find a rams game live stream in 2026 feels like you need a master's degree in broadcast law. It used to be simple. You’d flip on the TV, find the channel with the grass, and sit down. Now? We’re juggling Peacock subscriptions, YouTube TV "base plans," and the constant fear that the game is "digital only" and we’re missing the first quarter because the app won't load.

The Rams are currently deep in a postseason run, specifically gearing up for a massive Divisional Round showdown against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. If you're looking for the live stream for this Sunday, January 18, you need to head straight to Peacock or have a live TV service that carries NBC. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. CT (that’s 3:30 p.m. for those of us back in LA).

But here’s the thing: most people wait until five minutes before kickoff to check their login. Don't be that person. The NFL’s streaming landscape has shifted massively this year, and what worked for the regular season might leave you staring at a spinning wheel during the playoffs.

The NBC and Peacock Connection (Playoff Specifics)

For this specific playoff window, NBC holds the keys. If you have a set of rabbit ears—yes, an actual over-the-air antenna—you can grab the game for free on your local NBC affiliate. In Los Angeles, that’s KNBC Channel 4.

However, if you're like most of us and haven't touched a coaxial cable in years, your primary rams game live stream is going to be via Peacock. Peacock is the exclusive streaming home for NBC's NFL broadcasts. It’s not just a "nice to have" anymore; it’s basically mandatory for the postseason.

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If you are trying to watch on your phone or tablet while away from the couch, NFL+ is your other official route. But be careful: NFL+ only lets you watch live local and primetime games on mobile devices. You can't cast that to your 65-inch TV. It’s a "watch in the palm of your hand" kind of deal.

Why Your Regular Season Setup Might Fail You Now

Think back to the regular season. You probably got used to watching the Rams on FOX or CBS. During the 2025-2026 season, the Rams had a ton of games on FOX, like that wild Week 11 win over the Seahawks or the beatdown of the 49ers in Week 9.

If you were relying on Paramount+ to watch those CBS games (like the Week 1 win against the Texans), that app is useless for the Divisional Round against the Bears. Paramount+ only carries NFL games that air on CBS. Since this week is an NBC production, your Paramount+ subscription is just for watching Survivor reruns this Sunday.

The Sunday Ticket Myth

There is a massive misconception that NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV covers the playoffs. It doesn't.

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Sunday Ticket is strictly for "out-of-market" regular season games on Sunday afternoons. Once the calendar hits January and the playoffs start, Sunday Ticket goes dark. Everyone is "in-market" for the playoffs because the games are broadcast nationally. To get the rams game live stream this weekend, you need a service with NBC, period.

The International Struggle (UK, Mexico, Australia)

If you’re a member of the "Rams House" living abroad, the rules change again. For fans in the UK, Sky Sports is the traditional home, but the most reliable way to stream is through Game Pass International on DAZN.

In Mexico, you're looking at TV Azteca or the LiSTNR App if you're in Australia. The NFL has gotten really aggressive about geoblocking lately, so using a VPN to find a "free" stream from another country is a lot harder than it used to be. Most high-quality streams now detect VPN signatures and will block the video feed entirely.

Can You Still Listen the Old Fashioned Way?

Sometimes the internet just dies. Or you're stuck in traffic on the 405. If your rams game live stream fails, the radio broadcast is actually incredible.

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ESPN LA 710 AM is the flagship. J.B. Long (play-by-play) and Maurice Jones-Drew (color) have a chemistry that most TV booths would kill for. They also simulcast on 93.1 JACK FM.

  • Primary Radio: ESPN LA 710 AM
  • Spanish Broadcast: Tu Liga Radio 1330 AM
  • National Radio: Westwood One (Kevin Harlan is calling the Bears game, which is always a treat)

The Hardware Check: Don't Let Your WiFi Kill the Vibe

A 4K live stream of an NFL game pulls a lot of data. If you’re streaming on Peacock or YouTube TV, you really want a hardwired ethernet connection to your smart TV or Roku. WiFi interference can cause that annoying "buffering" right as Matthew Stafford is dropping back for a deep shot to Puka Nacua.

If you must use WiFi, make sure you're on a 5GHz band. Also, check for app updates on your TV or streaming stick now. There is nothing worse than clicking "Watch Live" and seeing a progress bar for a 200MB app update while the kickoff is happening.

Actionable Steps for Sunday’s Game

  1. Verify your Peacock login: If you haven't used it since the last season of The Office, make sure your payment method hasn't expired.
  2. Download the NFL app: As a backup, have the NFL app ready on your phone with your cable provider or streaming service linked.
  3. Check the local NBC signal: If you have an antenna, do a channel scan today to ensure KNBC is coming in clear.
  4. Avoid "Free" Sites: Seriously. The sites promising a free rams game live stream are riddled with malware and usually lag about 3 minutes behind the actual play. You'll get a text from your friend celebrating a touchdown before you even see the snap.

The Rams and Bears are kicking off at 5:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, January 18. Get your tech sorted now so you can actually enjoy the game.