New England Patriots Take on Pittsburgh Steelers In First NFL Game Since Owner Robert Kraft’s Controversial Macklemore Comments

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The New England Patriots take to the field for the first time today since owner Robert Kraft’s controversial week, with actions that led to rapper Macklemore being removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour.

At a Glance: How to Watch Patriots vs. Steelers Game

• When: Sunday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET
• TV channel: CBS
• Stream online: DirecTV (free trial), Fubo (free trial), Hulu + Live TV (free trial), Paramount+

The Patriots face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in their home opener at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, in a week two matchup that has been overshadowed by Kraft, who refused to let Macklemore perform at the stadium this month, after the rapper made pro-Palestinian comments on tour. Macklemore was later dropped from Sheeran’s Loop Tour altogether, leading to other opening acts withdrawing from the tour in a show of solidarity.

Though there is an NFL game to be played today, all eyes will be on Kraft, to see if the Patriots owner shows up and if he’ll have anything to say.

As for the game itself, the Patriots-Steelers game airs live at 1 p.m. ET on CBS. You can watch the football game live on TV through your local CBS affiliate.

Where to Stream Patriots vs. Steelers Game Online Free

Cut the cord? You can livestream the Patriots vs. Steelers game online without cable by using a live TV streaming service, like our top picks below.

TOP PICK

DIRECTV

Five-day free trial; packages from $19.99 per month

DIRECTV is a live streamer that carries CBS across of its signature packages, which let you watch live TV online without cable. Plus, DirecTV offers a five-day free trial for new users, allowing you to stream the Patriots vs. Steelers game online for free.

Learn more about each plan option, including how to build your own channel lineup (starting at just $19.99 per month), at directv.com. Or skip the options and just get the free trial here.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Fubo

Five-day free trial; packages from $64.99 per month ($54.99 for first month)

CBS is also available to stream with a subscription to Fubo, which is one of the best streaming services for sports (and the one I personally use). Fubo offers a five-day free trial that you can use to livestream the Patriots-Steelers game free online. After the trial, plans start at $54.99 for the first month and $64.99 monthly thereafter.

best streaming bundle

Hulu + Live TV

Three-day free trial; packages from $89.99 per month

You can also watch a live feed of CBS online with Hulu + Live TV, which offers a three-day free trial. Subscriptions come bundled with Hulu’s on-demand library, plus Disney+ and ESPN+, in addition to more than 90 live television channels that you can stream online without cable. Plans start at $89.99 per month after your free trial is up.

Note: Paramount+ is the official streaming home of the NFL on CBS, and you can livestream the Patriots vs. Steelers game through the Paramount+ app. Coverage starts with the NFL Today+ show every Sunday at 10 a.m. ET. Paramount+ does not currently offer a free trial, but plans start at just $8.99/month.

The Patriots opened the season with a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, in a rematch of the 2026 Super Bowl (which Seattle also won). The Steelers, meantime, come off a win over the Atlanta Falcons in their season opener.

The Patriots are currently the betting favorite to win today’s NFL matchup, according to oddsmakers. You can see more at BetMGM.

As for Kraft, the team owner was challenged by Macklemore to match the rapper’s $1 million donation to support Palestinian people. Kraft wrote in a statement Wednesday afternoon that he plans “to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.”