How to watch Texans at Rams (Sept. 7, 2025): live stream, TV & free options
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The Houston Texans begin their 2025 season on the road against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, September 7, at 4:25 PM ET on CBS. Both teams start at 0–0, but expectations are high after strong offseason moves. The Texans, led by rising star quarterback C.J. Stroud, look to build on last year’s playoff run, while the Rams aim to bounce back and reestablish themselves as NFC contenders.
A key storyline is how Stroud handles the Rams’ veteran defense in a nationally televised matchup that could set the tone for both franchises’ seasons.
How to watch for free
The Texans vs Rams matchup is part of the Sunday Afternoon CBS broadcast, and in New Zealand, TVNZ will show it for free as part of its official NFL coverage. TVNZ airs multiple NFL games each week, including Sunday matchups, plus playoff games and the Super Bowl, making it one of the most accessible free-to-air broadcasters for international fans.
Because services like TVNZ (New Zealand) and 7plus (Australia) hold official NFL rights, fans traveling abroad with a VPN can access many games for free throughout the season, not just this one.
How to watch Texans vs Rams for free with a VPN
You need a reliable and robust NFL VPN to watch TVNZ from anywhere. Here’s how to unblock the stream:
- Choose a reliable VPN. I recommend NordVPN – now 75% OFF
- Download and install the VPN application on a device of your choice
- Log into the VPN application
- Connect to a server in New Zealand
- Go to tvnz.co.nz and watch Texans vs Rams
Game information
| Category | Details |
| Date | Sunday, September 7, 2025 |
| Time | 4:25 PM ET / 1:25 PM PT |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California |
| TV | CBS |
| Channel Guide | DirecTV: Channel 221 (CBS varies by market); Dish: Channel 158 (CBS varies by market); Comcast/Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon Fios: use provider lookup for local CBS affiliate |
| Stream | Paramount+ (with Showtime plan), CBS Sports app/website (with provider login), NFL+ (mobile/tablet only, in-market), live TV streaming platforms (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo) |
| Radio | Texans: KILT SportsRadio 610 AM, KILT 100.3 FM • Rams: ESPN LA 710 AM, Tu Liga 1330 AM |
| Coverage | Regional coverage map is not yet available; check 506 Sports closer to kickoff. Home-market affiliates: KHOU (Houston) and KCBS (Los Angeles). |
| Free (VPN option) | TVNZ (New Zealand) – free, NZ-only. Geo-restricted – only available in New Zealand; can be accessed abroad while traveling with VPN. |
Official US viewing options
This Texans vs Rams game is part of the Sunday Afternoon CBS broadcast window. It will air regionally, meaning fans in Houston and Los Angeles will see it on their local CBS affiliates, while other markets may receive a different matchup. Coverage maps will be released closer to kickoff and can be checked on 506 Sports.
With cable or satellite
Fans with a cable or satellite subscription that includes CBS can watch the game live on TV or stream it via the CBS Sports app or CBS.com by logging in with their provider credentials.
Channel Guide for CBS (typical assignments; may vary by market):
- DirecTV: Channel 221 (CBS)
- Dish: Channel 158 (CBS)
- Comcast/Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon Fios: use your provider’s channel lookup tool to confirm your local CBS affiliate.
Without cable (live TV streaming services)
Several live TV streaming platforms carry CBS in most U.S. markets:
- YouTube TV ($72.99/month): Includes CBS in both the Houston and Los Angeles DMAs. Unlimited DVR included.
- Hulu + Live TV ($76.99/month, includes Disney+ and ESPN+): Provides CBS coverage in both local markets. On-demand library bundled.
- Fubo ($79.99/month Pro plan): Sports-focused service that carries CBS in most regions, including both teams’ markets. Cloud DVR included.
- Paramount+ ($5.99/month Essential, $11.99/month with Showtime): Streams live CBS games, but only in your local market. Works in both the Houston and Los Angeles DMAs; out-of-market games are not available.
Mobile option
The game is also available on NFL+, the NFL’s direct streaming service. With NFL+ Premium ($14.99/month), fans can stream live local and primetime games, including this one, but only on phones and tablets. Casting to a TV or using smart TV apps is not supported.
Over-the-air TV antenna
Since the game airs on CBS, fans in the home markets can watch for free using a digital antenna connected to their TV. Local affiliates carrying the game are KHOU (Houston) and KCBS (Los Angeles). Fans outside those areas should check their local CBS affiliate or use an antenna availability tool to confirm reception.
Team-specific platforms
Neither the Texans nor the Rams stream live regular-season games on their official apps or websites due to NFL rights restrictions. Both teams, however, provide radio broadcasts, highlights, and team shows:
- Texans Radio Network: KILT SportsRadio 610 AM and KILT 100.3 FM in Houston.
- Rams Radio Network: ESPN LA 710 AM (English) and Tu Liga 1330 AM (Spanish).
How to watch Texans vs Rams out of market
The Texans vs Rams matchup is part of CBS’s regional Sunday Afternoon coverage, which means not every US market will carry it. Only fans in Houston and Los Angeles are guaranteed local coverage on their CBS affiliates, while other regions may see a different game. Out-of-market viewers will need one of the following options:
- NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube TV) – the official package for all out-of-market Sunday Afternoon games in the US It includes every CBS and FOX matchup not shown on your local station. Pricing is ~$449/year standalone or ~$349/year as a YouTube TV add-on.
- NFL Game Pass International – available via DAZN and Amazon Prime Video in supported countries such as the UK, Australia, Germany, and Mexico. It provides live access to every NFL game (regular season, playoffs, and Super Bowl), plus NFL Network and RedZone. Prices vary by region, and fans usually need a VPN while traveling abroad to subscribe.
- NFL RedZone – offers whip-around coverage of every touchdown and big moment from all Sunday Afternoon games. It doesn’t provide full-game broadcasts but is available as a sports add-on with YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo.
- Traveling abroad – this matchup will also stream for free on TVNZ in New Zealand (English commentary). The service is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but fans can access it while traveling abroad with a VPN.
- Local antenna (home markets only) – fans in Houston can watch free via KHOU (CBS 11), while Los Angeles viewers can tune in through KCBS (CBS 2) using a digital antenna.
For more guidance on following NFL games outside your local market, check our detailed resources:
