So You Want to Watch the NFL on Your Fancy iPad, Huh?
Ah, the NFL season. A glorious time for touchdowns, terrible referee calls, and enough chicken wings to qualify as a small bird sanctuary in your living room. But what if you crave that gridiron action while lounging on the couch, neglecting actual dishes? Fear not, fellow football fan, for your trusty iPad can become a portal to the promised land of Sundays (and Thursdays, Mondays...).
Here's your handy guide to turning your iPad into a mini NFL stadium, complete with questionable hot dog vendors (those are just your regular hot dogs, buddy).
Browsing the Buffet: Your NFL Streaming Options
There are more ways to watch the NFL on your iPad than there are ways Tom Brady can avoid talking about his feelings for avocado toast. Here's a rundown of the top contenders:
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NFL App: It's the official app, so you know it's legit. You can catch local and primetime games, browse headlines, and relive the glory (or misery) of past seasons. There's a free tier, but for the good stuff like NFL RedZone (think fast-paced highlights of every touchdown happening across the league), you'll need to subscribe to NFL+. Just remember, live streaming these premium games might make watching with friends at a bar a lonely experience (unless they also have iPads...awkward).
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Subscription Services: Think of these as your all-you-can-eat buffets of NFL content. Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV offer NFL Network and sometimes even local channels that broadcast games. This is a great option if you want to catch more than just football, but be prepared to pay a monthly fee and navigate the occasional channel package labyrinth.
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NFL Network App: This one requires a cable or satellite subscription with a participating provider. But hey, if you already have cable, this app lets you watch exclusive NFL Network content, including everyone's favorite frenetic highlight show, NFL RedZone.
Word to the Wise: Do your research before diving into any subscriptions. Free trials are your friend, and make sure the service carries the channels you need to watch your favorite teams.
Avoiding the Fumble: Important Tips
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Download the Apps: Seems obvious, but hey, we all forget things sometimes (especially after a plateful of wings). Download the apps you'll be using beforehand so you're not scrambling when kickoff approaches.
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Check Your Connection: A choppy stream is the enemy of football enjoyment. Make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi connection or a solid data plan before settling in for the game. There's nothing worse than buffering right before a game-winning play.
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Invest in a Stand: Unless you have superhuman arm strength, holding your iPad for hours is a recipe for disaster (and potentially cracked screens). Grab a stand or case that props your iPad up for comfortable viewing.
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Snacks are Mandatory: This isn't even a tip, it's the law. No NFL experience is complete without a smorgasbord of delicious (or questionable) snacks. Just try not to get grease on your iPad (we've all been there).
With these tips and a little app exploration, you'll be a pro at catching all the NFL action on your iPad. Now go forth and dominate your fantasy league (or at least avoid finishing last). Just remember, excessive cheering in public places might lead to confused stares. You've been warned.
