What channel is the Bills game on? How to watch Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears

Sal Maiorana, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·4 min read
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ORCHARD PARK - With what is being termed as a “generational blizzard” smashing its way across the country and due to arrive at full force in Chicago Friday, the Buffalo Bills had to alter their travel plan for Saturday’s game against the Bears at Soldier Field.

Normally they would fly into a city the day before the game, but they recognized that will be impossible Friday, so the plan is to leave Buffalo Thursday night to make sure they can get to the Windy City, which is certainly going to live up to its nickname this weekend.

Typically, teams fly to the opposing city the day before the game, spend one night in a hotel, and then fly home immediately after the game. For the Bills, this may end up being quite a journey because there’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to get back to Buffalo Saturday night.

The blizzard is forecast to still be raging in Buffalo on Saturday, so the team could be looking at a three-night stay in Chicago. It’s just another chapter in what has, to date, been one of the most challenging weather seasons the Bills have ever faced.

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Most of the Bills’ media corps won’t be traveling to the game and will be “covering” it by watching on television just like the fans. Afterward, the Bills will make Sean McDermott and certain players available to reporters for interviews via Zoom, just the way it was done during the 2020 COVID season.

This sign was present at Highmark Stadium for the Bills-Patriots playoff game in January, and it accurately describes the conditions the Bills and Bears will face Saturday in Chicago.
This sign was present at Highmark Stadium for the Bills-Patriots playoff game in January, and it accurately describes the conditions the Bills and Bears will face Saturday in Chicago.

However, even that could be problematic. With predictions of widespread power outages, unless you have a generator, alternate plans will have to be exercised, so make sure your devices are charging for as long as possible in case the juice goes out.

If you lose power, one option would be to use the hot spot on your phone to provide wifi to your tablet or computer where you could watch on the Spectrum app, the CBS app, or NFL+ if you have that service. Or, weather permitting, just drive to a bar that hasn’t lost power.

As a last resort, go old school and listen to the game on your car radio or, if you somehow still have one, a battery-powered transistor radio and re-live the 1960’s and 1970’s if you are of a certain age.

What time is the Bills vs. Bears game?

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 24

  • Time: 1 p.m.

  • Place: Solider Field

Who is favored to win Bills vs. Bears game

Who is announcing the Bills vs. Bears game

  • Play-by-play: Greg Gumbel

  • Analyst: Adam Archuleta

  • Sideline reporter: A.J. Ross

How to watch Buffalo Bills vs Chicago Bears game on TV, streaming

Cable/Network: CBS. The game will be available locally via the following stations: WROC (Channel 8, Rochester), WIVB (Buffalo area), WTVH (Syracuse area), WKTV (Utica area), WENY (Elmira area), WRGB (Albany area), and WBNG (Binghamton area).

Online streaming services: NFL.com and the NFL mobile app. Also, the NFL has a new streaming service called NFL+ which replaces NFL Game Pass, though you can’t cast the games to your TV - you must watch on your phone or tablet. The cost is $5 a month or $30 for the season, and a premium tier costs $10/$80 which includes all-22 coaches film and condensed and full-game replays. With it, you’ll be able to watch every local game on Sunday and the national games on Monday and Thursday nights as well as the playoffs and the Super Bowl. You can also stream if you have subscriptions to DirecTV, fuboTV, NFL+, Sling, Vidgo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Paramount+.

On the radio: How to listen to the Bills vs Bears game

You can listen on SiriusXM satellite radio on channel 384 (Bills) and channel 229 (Bears). On traditional radio, the Bills Radio Network has stations all across the state. They include:

  • Rochester (WCMF 96.5 and WROC 950 AM)

  • Buffalo (WGR550, 550 AM)

  • Syracuse (WTKW 99.5/WTKV 105.5)

  • Binghamton (WDRE 100.5FM)

  • Ithaca (WIII 99.9/100.3 FM)

  • Bath (WVIN 98.3 FM)

  • Newark (WACK 1420 AM)

  • Dansville (WDNY 93.9 FM)

  • Elmira (WNGZ 1490 AM)

  • Auburn (WAUB 98.1 FM/1590 AM)

  • Geneva (WGVA 95.9 FM, 1240 AM)

Sal Maiorana can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salmaiorana.To subscribe to Sal's new twice-a-week newsletter, Bills Blast, please follow this link: https://profile.democratandchronicle.com/newsletters/bills-blast

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: What channel is Bills vs. Bears game on? Time, TV, streaming info