Lions vs. Chiefs Sunday Night Football: How to Stream the Oct. 13 Showdown
When Jared Goff, quarterback of the Detroit Lions, lines up against Patrick Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, the NFL’s primetime stage lights up for a potential Super Bowl preview. The clash is slated for Sunday night, October 13, 2025, with kickoff at 8:20 p.m. local time (11:13 UTC). That’s the kind of matchup that makes fans stay up late, coworkers quote the odds, and analysts scramble to adjust their playoff brackets.
Game preview and stakes
Week 7 carries more weight than the early‑season “nice‑to‑watch” label. Both teams entered the night sitting at 4‑2, meaning a win could catapult one side into the top‑four seed and push the other into a must‑win scramble. Sunday Night Football Arrowhead Stadium becomes the arena where a single turnover could swing the balance of the AFC North and the NFC North alike.
Woodward Sports describes the game as "a potential Super Bowl preview with everything on the line," and that isn’t hyperbole. Mahomes, fresh off a 3‑year contract extension and seeking his fifth MVP, has a 71 % passer‑rating in night games. Goff, meanwhile, finally looks like the veteran the Lions drafted, boasting a 6‑game stretch with 3,250 passing yards and a 4.3 yards‑per‑attempt average. The receivers on both sides – the Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Chiefs’ JuJu Smith‑Schuster – have traded highlights all season, promising fireworks under the stadium’s 76,000‑strong roar.
How to watch on NBC and Peacock
The national broadcast lands on NBC. If you have a traditional cable or satellite package that includes NBC, you can tune in on channel 4 in the Kansas City market or the equivalent local NBC affiliate in Detroit. For cord‑cutters, the game lives on Peacock. Subscribers can stream the live feed through the Peacock website, the NBC Sports app, or the NBC app – just sign in with your TV provider credentials.
Here’s a quick checklist for NBC/Peacock viewers:
- Confirm your TV provider carries NBC; note the channel number in your local listings.
- If you’re a Peacock subscriber, log in to peacocktv.com before kickoff.
- Make sure the Peacock app is up‑to‑date on your streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, etc.).
- Check the in‑app schedule to ensure the Sunday Night Football feed is selected – sometimes a regional feed can default.
Peacock’s FAQ makes it crystal clear: if your TV subscription includes NBC, you can also watch via the NBC Sports app with the same login. Otherwise, a standalone Peacock subscription is the way to go.
Alternative streaming platforms
Not everyone wants to commit to Peacock, and the league has opened additional doors. The official Kansas City Chiefs website lists the Chiefs App, NFL+, and DAZN (via NFL Game Pass) as viable ways to catch the live feed. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions point fans toward the newly‑launched NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV and YouTube’s regular streaming tier for out‑of‑market games.
For those already subscribed to Paramount+, note that the platform streams CBS‑broadcast NFL games, not NBC’s Sunday Night Football. However, it becomes relevant later in the week when the Chiefs face the Raiders on October 19, a CBS slot.
Finally, the big‑screen crowd can still lean on traditional services: Amazon Prime Video carries NFL Game Pass for international viewers, and Fox Sports offers an ancillary stream for certain markets. The key is to verify that your chosen service lists the Sunday Night Football feed for Week 7 – the league’s schedule page is the most reliable source.
Woodward Sports watch party and extra content
For fans who love the communal vibe, Woodward Sports Network is throwing a live watch party. The crew – hosts Sean Baligan, "Maz," former NFL star Braylon Edwards, and commentator Shep – will stream their "Woodward Heavyweights" show on YouTube from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. EST, right before kickoff. Their schedule also includes daily morning and midday segments, so you can catch pre‑game analysis if you’re tuning in early.
Woodward’s YouTube channel (UC8sYt4QHV6ZgOyL57ATacwQ) is already buzzing with teaser clips, and the team encourages viewers to drop questions in the chat for a live Q&A. If you prefer social media, the network’s Twitter feed @woodwardsports and Instagram @woodwardsports will push real‑time stats, meme‑worthy moments, and post‑game breakdowns.
The watch party adds value beyond the broadcast: exclusive interviews with former Lions players, a behind‑the‑scenes look at Arrowhead’s fan traditions, and a live poll that lets fans vote on the game's "most clutch moment." It’s a clever way to blend traditional TV with digital interaction, keeping the experience fresh for a generation that flips between screens.

What this game means for the playoff race
If the Lions pull off a win, they climb to 5‑2, nudging them into a wild‑card spot and setting up a potential showdown with the Packers later in the season. A loss would drop them to 4‑3 and likely relegate them to a backup role in the NFC North scramble.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, have already secured the AFC top seed in their division for the past two seasons. A victory would push them to 5‑2, cementing their claim to the #2 overall seed. A slip-up, however, could see them drop to second place behind the Ravens, forcing them into a tougher road schedule in the final stretch.
Both teams’ offenses are stacked, but the defensive units will be the ultimate deciders. Kansas City’s secondary, led by L'Jarius Sneed, boasts a 15‑0 record in the red‑zone, while Detroit’s linebackers have forced three turnovers in the last two games. The clash of schemes – a West Coast offense versus a zone‑read attack – offers a textbook case for upcoming sports‑management classes.
Background: recent Lions‑Chiefs encounters
Historically, the two franchises have met 23 times, with the Chiefs holding a 15‑8 edge. The last regular‑season meeting in 2023 ended in a 31‑24 Chiefs win, courtesy of a late‑fourth‑quarter drive led by Mahomes. In the 2022 playoffs, the Lions pulled off a stunning upset, beating Kansas City 27‑23 after a blocked field goal sealed the game.
Those memories add layers of narrative this time around. Detroit’s new front office, led by GM Brad Holmes, has spoken openly about wanting to "rewrite the script" from that 2022 heartbreak. Meanwhile, the Chiefs' front office, under CEO Mark Donovan, sees this as a chance to reaffirm their dominance in the league’s most competitive decade.
All that history and the present‑day stakes combine to make October 13 more than just another Sunday night – it’s a test of whether the Lions can finally break the Chiefs’ grip or if Kansas City will once again prove why they’re the league’s perennial powerhouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I watch the Lions‑Chiefs game if I don’t have cable?
Cord‑cutters need a Peacock subscription, which streams the entire Sunday Night Football package live. Sign up at peacocktv.com, install the app on your device, and log in before kickoff.
Will NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV show this game?
Yes. For out‑of‑market viewers, YouTube TV offers NFL Sunday Ticket, which includes the Sunday night primetime game. Just add the NFL Sports Add‑On to your subscription and the game appears in your live guide.
What are the key statistics to watch before kickoff?
Mahomes holds a 71 % passer rating in night games, while Goff has thrown for 3,250 yards over his last six starts. Both defenses rank in the top 10 for sacks, and the Chiefs have allowed only 12 points in their last three road games.
Is there a free way to follow the game’s play‑by‑play?
The NFL Mobile app provides a free live text feed and audio commentary. While you won’t see video, you’ll get real‑time updates, drive‑status, and key moments without a subscription.
What does a win mean for the Lions’ playoff chances?
A victory lifts Detroit to 5‑2, putting them squarely in the NFC North wild‑card hunt and forcing rivals like Green Bay to win out. A loss would likely push the Lions into a must‑win scenario for the rest of the season.