How to Watch Bears vs. Falcons on DIRECTV: FOX Channel, Kickoff Time and Streaming
The Chicago Bears (3-2) visit the Atlanta Falcons (2-3) on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. CT, 10:00 a.m. PT) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game airs on FOX, so DIRECTV customers watch it on their local FOX station, and it also streams on FOX One.
Both teams lost in Week 5. Chicago fell 31-7 at Green Bay, and Atlanta lost 30-23 in overtime to Baltimore on Sunday Night Football. Here's how to find Bears-Falcons on DIRECTV, whether it's on in your area and every way to stream it, as of October 14, 2026.
Bears vs. Falcons game details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, October 18, 2026 (NFL Week 6) |
| Kickoff | 1:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. CT / 11:00 a.m. MT / 10:00 a.m. PT |
| Stadium | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia |
| TV | FOX (regional, early Sunday window) |
| DIRECTV channel | Your local FOX station (number varies by market) |
| Streaming | FOX One with your DIRECTV sign-in; NFL+ (phones and tablets, local games); NFL Sunday Ticket (out of market) |
| Records | Bears 3-2; Falcons 2-3 (through Week 5) |
How to watch Bears vs. Falcons on DIRECTV
Your local FOX station
FOX doesn't have one national channel number on DIRECTV. You get it through your local FOX affiliate, and the number depends on your market. DIRECTV includes local channels with its core packages wherever they're available. Press Guide and look for your FOX station, or search "Bears" or "Falcons" to find the game. Our guide to what channel FOX is in your area lists stations by market.
If you removed local channels from your satellite package, add them back in your DIRECTV account a day or two before Sunday so the guide has time to update. See our guide to adding local channels on DIRECTV.
Here's how each DIRECTV setup lines up for this game, as of October 14, 2026:
| Your setup | How to watch Bears-Falcons | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV satellite with local channels | Your local FOX station | Local channels in your package (included with core packages where available) |
| DIRECTV streaming | Your local FOX station in the guide or DIRECTV app | A package with local channels where available |
| MySports Genre Pack | Local FOX where available | The sports-focused streaming plan, $64.99/mo regular price |
| FOX One | The FOX game in your market | Sign in with your DIRECTV account (included with qualifying plans, per DIRECTV) |
| Outside the FOX coverage area for this game | NFL Sunday Ticket (not sold to DIRECTV homes) or follow along on NFL RedZone, channel 211 | YouTube or YouTube TV for Sunday Ticket; RedZone add-on (included with PREMIER) |
Our guide to FOX One with DIRECTV walks through the sign-in and explains when paying for FOX One on its own makes sense. The MySports Genre Pack also carries national sports networks such as ESPN and NFL Network. Not sure you have your FOX station? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Will Bears vs. Falcons be on TV in my area?
FOX has four games in the 1:00 p.m. ET window in Week 6: Bears at Falcons, Ravens at Browns, Titans at Colts and Saints at Giants. The Chicago and Atlanta markets will get Bears-Falcons. Elsewhere, which game your FOX station carries depends on your market, and the league finalizes market assignments during game week, so check your local listings later in the week. CBS has its own early slate at 1:00 p.m. ET (Jets at Patriots, Panthers at Eagles and Steelers at Buccaneers).
If it isn't on FOX near you, NFL Sunday Ticket is the way to watch live at home. It's sold through YouTube and YouTube TV, not to DIRECTV homes. Read more about getting NFL Sunday Ticket without YouTube TV and why NFL Sunday Ticket is no longer on DIRECTV. DIRECTV homes can also follow every Sunday-afternoon game on NFL RedZone, channel 211.
Bears vs. Falcons by the numbers
Here's how the teams compare through five weeks, from the NFL's game center as of October 14, 2026:
| Stat (through Week 5) | Bears | Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 3-2 (2nd in NFC North) | 2-3 (2nd in NFC South) |
| Last game | L 7-31 at Green Bay (Oct. 11) | L 23-30 OT vs. Baltimore (Oct. 11) |
| Points per game | 23.8 (13th) | 23.8 (13th) |
| Yards per game | 392.4 (7th) | 361.8 (10th) |
| Time of possession per game | 35:11 (1st) | 32:26 (5th) |
| Defensive sacks | 12 (11th) | 11 (12th) |
| Turnover differential | -4 (24th) | -5 (27th) |
| Passing leader | Tyson Bagent: 409 yards, 0 TD, 3 INT | Michael Penix Jr.: 719 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing leader | D'Andre Swift: 354 yards, 4 TD | Bijan Robinson: 580 yards, 4 TD |
| Receiving leader | Rome Odunze: 17 catches, 273 yards | Drake London: 27 catches, 488 yards |
Bears vs. Falcons storylines
- Chicago's start: the Bears opened with a 59-37 win at Carolina, lost 9-3 to Minnesota, beat Philadelphia 27-7 on Monday Night Football and the Jets 23-12, then fell 31-7 at Green Bay. Our Bears vs. Packers guide covers the Week 5 game.
- Atlanta's swings: the Falcons lost 20-13 at Pittsburgh and 34-3 to Carolina, won 35-14 at Green Bay and 45-24 at New Orleans, then lost 30-23 in overtime to Baltimore. See our Falcons vs. Saints Monday Night Football guide and Ravens vs. Falcons Sunday Night Football guide.
- Ball control: Chicago leads the NFL in time of possession at 35:11 per game, and Atlanta ranks fifth at 32:26.
- Same scoring, different paths: both teams average 23.8 points per game (13th). Bijan Robinson leads Atlanta with 580 rushing yards, and Drake London averages 18.1 yards per catch.
- Turnovers: both teams are in the red, with Chicago at -4 (24th) and Atlanta at -5 (27th).
- Division races: Minnesota leads the NFC North at 5-0, with Chicago, Detroit and Green Bay all 3-2. In the NFC South, Carolina leads at 2-2 and Atlanta is 2-3.
- Last meeting: Chicago won the most recent matchup, 37-17.
- Short week ahead for Chicago: the Bears host New England on Thursday, October 22, on Prime Video, and Atlanta hosts San Francisco on October 25.
NFL Week 6 networks and DIRECTV channels
Here's every Week 6 game with its network and where to find it on DIRECTV, as of October 14, 2026. Local CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC stations don't have one national DIRECTV number, so search the guide by network or call letters.
| Day and kickoff (ET) | Game | Network | DIRECTV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., Oct. 15, 8:15 p.m. | Seahawks at Broncos | Prime Video | Streaming only (Prime Video app) |
| Sun., Oct. 18, 9:30 a.m. | Texans vs. Jaguars (London) | NFL Network | 212 |
| Sun., Oct. 18, 1 p.m. | Bears at Falcons; Ravens at Browns; Titans at Colts; Saints at Giants | FOX | Local FOX station |
| Sun., Oct. 18, 1 p.m. | Jets at Patriots; Panthers at Eagles; Steelers at Buccaneers | CBS | Local CBS station |
| Sun., Oct. 18, 4:05 p.m. | Cardinals at Rams | FOX | Local FOX station |
| Sun., Oct. 18, 4:25 p.m. | Bills at Raiders; Chargers at Chiefs | CBS | Local CBS station |
| Sun., Oct. 18, 8:20 p.m. | Cowboys at Packers | NBC | Local NBC station |
| Mon., Oct. 19, 8:15 p.m. | Commanders at 49ers | ESPN (ABC simulcast) | 206; local ABC station |
The Bengals, Lions, Dolphins and Vikings are on bye. See the full NFL Week 6 TV schedule and DIRECTV channels, and for the season's channels and packages, our guide to how to watch the NFL on DIRECTV. Local channel help by state: DIRECTV channels for Georgia and Illinois.
Compare DIRECTV packages at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is Bears vs. Falcons on DIRECTV?
It's on FOX, so tune to your local FOX station. FOX doesn't have one national DIRECTV channel number, so the number depends on your market. Search the guide for "Bears" or "Falcons" to find it.
What time is the Falcons game on Sunday?
Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. CT, 11:00 a.m. MT, 10:00 a.m. PT) on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Is Bears vs. Falcons on in my area?
It's one of four FOX games at 1:00 p.m. ET, along with Ravens at Browns, Titans at Colts and Saints at Giants. The Chicago and Atlanta markets get Bears-Falcons. Which game your FOX station shows depends on your market, so check your local listings.
Can I stream Bears vs. Falcons?
Yes, if it airs on FOX in your market. FOX One streams FOX's NFL games, and DIRECTV says FOX One is included with qualifying plans when you sign in with your DIRECTV account. The DIRECTV app carries your local FOX station where available, and NFL+ streams local games on phones and tablets. Out-of-market fans need NFL Sunday Ticket, which is sold through YouTube and YouTube TV.
Is Bears vs. Falcons on NFL RedZone?
NFL RedZone, DIRECTV channel 211, covers every Sunday-afternoon game, including the 1:00 p.m. ET window. It's included with PREMIER and is an extra-cost add-on with other DIRECTV packages.
Need help finding your local FOX station? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 14, 2026. Kickoff times, networks and regional coverage are set by the NFL, FOX and local stations and may change. Records and stats reflect games through Week 5. Prices, channel lineups, carriage and package availability vary by address and may change. NFL, FOX, FOX One, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.