Thursday night is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for NFL fans, especially those following the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills. As the calendar flips to September 18, 2025, all eyes are on Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, where the Dolphins are hoping to snap a long and painful losing streak on the Bills' turf. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT), and the anticipation is palpable—not just for the action on the field, but for the ever-evolving landscape of how fans can actually tune in to the game.
For those keeping score at home, the Dolphins haven't left Buffalo with a win since 2016. That's a tough pill to swallow for Miami faithful, and with the team stumbling out of the gate at 0-2 this season, the pressure is mounting on head coach Mike McDaniel. The whispers about his job security are getting louder, and tonight's matchup could either turn down the heat—or turn it up to a boil.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa showed flashes of improvement in last week's defeat, but the odds are stacked against him tonight. The Bills' defense is no joke, and with Buffalo's offense firing on all cylinders behind league MVP Josh Allen, Miami will need to find a way to put points on the board just to keep up. The oddsmakers aren't giving the Dolphins much of a chance, with Buffalo entering as a double-digit favorite. According to DraftKings, the Bills are favored by 12.5 points, and the over/under for total points sits at 49.5. For those feeling lucky, James Cook is pegged at +425 odds to score the game's first touchdown—a tempting prop for bettors looking to spice up their Thursday night.
But let's talk about the real challenge facing NFL fans in 2025: actually watching the game. Gone are the days when every contest was just a cable channel away. Now, streaming rights are carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey, and Thursday Night Football belongs exclusively to Prime Video. If you don't have an Amazon Prime membership—which will set you back $14.99 per month or $139 per year—you can opt for a Prime Video-only subscription at $9 per month. Not interested in paying? There's a workaround: Prime Video is streaming the game for free on Twitch, also owned by Amazon. For the diehards in Miami and Buffalo, local broadcasts are still available: CBS 4 (WFOR) in Miami and ABC 7 (WKBW) in Buffalo have you covered over the air.
Those looking for more flexibility can consider NFL Plus, the league's own streaming service. For $7 per month (or $15 with Red Zone), you can stream games on your phone or tablet, but not on your TV or computer. It's a handy option for fans on the go, but it's not quite the full living room experience. And if you're hoping to catch every game this season, Forbes estimates you'll need to shell out over $750 for all the necessary subscriptions. Ouch!
The complexity doesn't end there. Live TV streaming services like Fubo TV, Sling TV, and Hulu + Live TV each offer their own bundles, with prices ranging from $45.99 to over $80 per month depending on the package and add-ons like NFL RedZone. Paramount+ is in the mix too, offering NFL games on CBS starting at $7.99 per month, and they're even running a 50% off annual plan sale until the end of September 18. Meanwhile, Fox has launched its own direct-to-consumer streaming service at $19.99 per month, adding yet another player to the already crowded field.
For fans who want to follow every out-of-market Sunday game, NFL Sunday Ticket is now exclusively on YouTube TV. That comes with its own price tag: a base plan of $82.99 per month, plus $276 for new users or $378 for returning users for the Sunday Ticket itself. Verizon Wireless is sweetening the deal by offering free NFL Sunday Ticket packages to eligible new and returning customers who buy a new 5G phone, bring their phone to a new plan, or sign up for Verizon Home Internet. It's a promotion that could save fans up to $480, but only if they act fast.
Not to be outdone, DraftKings is rolling out a can’t-miss deal for new users on game day. By signing up with a DraftKings promo code, depositing $5, and placing a $5 bet on tonight’s Dolphins vs. Bills matchup—or any other event—new customers will receive $200 in bonus bets and a discount of more than $200 on NFL Sunday Ticket for the entire 2025 season. The bonus comes as eight $25 single-use bets, valid for one week, and the Sunday Ticket discount is available for new YouTube or YouTube TV subscribers only. It's a clever way to get fans engaged with both the betting and viewing experience, turning a small wager into a big value proposition.
"Tonight’s Thursday Night Football clash between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins is one of the biggest betting events of the week," notes DraftKings, highlighting how much is riding on this primetime matchup for both teams and fans alike. Whether you’re backing the Bills to cover the spread or hoping for a Dolphins upset, the stakes are high on and off the field.
Of course, the streaming wars have made it more complicated—and expensive—than ever to be an NFL fan. NBC still holds the rights to Sunday Night Football, with some games streaming on Peacock, and Netflix has even joined the fray, broadcasting two Christmas Day games this season. ESPN Unlimited and Paramount+ offer yet more options, but keeping track of which service has which game is enough to make your head spin.
For those who want to maximize their football experience, a little research goes a long way. Fubo TV offers access to more than 200 live channels, including all the major sports networks, and often includes a free trial or introductory discount. Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV are also popular choices, each with their own strengths depending on your market and channel preferences. And don't forget about the special deals: Verizon's Sunday Ticket giveaway and DraftKings' bonus bet promo could help offset some of the rising costs this season.
As the Dolphins and Bills prepare to square off under the Thursday night lights, the action on the field is only part of the story. The way we watch, bet, and follow the NFL is changing rapidly, and tonight’s game is a perfect snapshot of the new reality for fans. So whether you’re streaming on Prime Video, tuning in on Twitch, or taking advantage of a sportsbook promo, there’s no shortage of ways to get in on the excitement.
With the Dolphins desperate to end their Buffalo drought and the Bills looking to assert their dominance behind Josh Allen, every snap will matter. The only thing more unpredictable than the outcome on the field might be the future of how we watch the game itself. Stay tuned—both the football and the streaming landscape are still very much in play.
