Finally, it’s time for some football. With the 2016 NFL season getting started, millions of fans will be following their home teams closely, hoping to root them all the way to the big game. Unfortunately for many, that means paying for an expensive cable contract to catch all the action. After all, you’ve got to have NFL Sunday Ticket, RedZone, and all that right?

Well, no. See, sure there are all sorts of ways to watch every NFL game, and you could pay out the wazoo to do so. But if you’re the average NFL fan who bleeds home team colors, you don’t need all that. The fact is, you can cut the cord and watch your favorite team all season long. All you need is a good antenna with a good signal. Even your team’s Monday Night Football game will be simulcast on a local network. Not only that, you’ll receive a bunch of other games all day Sunday and many Thursday Night Football games as well.

Let’s take a look at exactly how to make it happen.

Step 1: Run an antenna report.

Find out exactly what channels are available in your area and how far away the broadcast towers are by running an antenna report. TVFool.com is a great resource for antenna reports. To watch your home team play, you might as well assume you need the big four stations (FOX, CBS, NBC, and ABC). If you have trouble reading your antenna report, this subreddit is pretty good about helping people out.

Step 2: Find an antenna that is rated for what you need.

Are the broadcast signals close by? Great, then any antenna will likely do. However, if you find that NBC is 40 miles away, you should go ahead and get an antenna that is rated for 50 miles. Any further and you may need to upgrade to a rooftop antenna. Mohu’s antenna site has some great tools for helping you match up with the right antenna.

Step 3: Install your antenna.

Installing your antenna isn’t very difficult, but there are a few tricks worth knowing. Mainly, try and get the antenna in a spot with as few obstructions as possible. A window is ideal. Secondly, remember, the higher, the better. You might even consider putting the antenna in the attic for the ideal reception.

Step 4: Scan for channels.

Once your antenna is all hooked up, it’s time to scan for channels. You do this by going into your TV settings using your remote. If all goes according to plan, you’ll see the four big networks pop up, and you’ll know you’re ready for football. If not, it’s time to move the antenna around before trying to scan again.

Step 5: Check your team’s TV schedule and plan accordingly.

Remember, when you’re using an antenna, you won’t have an onscreen guide like with cable. So you need to check your team’s schedule online and plan accordingly. Of course, you could get an over-the-air DVR, which will record games and create an onscreen TV guide for you.

What If an Antenna Won’t Work in My Location?

Some people live in areas where they can’t get a good antenna signal, such as in apartments or condos. If that’s the case, your best bet is NFL Game Pass. You can see every game on Game Pass, except there’s a catch – they don’t air until after the games are over. However, they do offer live radio audio.

But the likelihood is, with the right antenna, you’ll be able to enjoy cheering on your home team this NFL season. Here’s to all those early season Super Bowl aspirations!

Are you looking for the best monitor under $100?

Whether you want it for your home office, editing photography, or gaming, you don’t need to spend big bucks on a display screen because a low budget one will certainly do the trick.^[1]

We can almost hear you having second thoughts about the picture quality, but you don’t have to worry at all.^[2]

Our list of the best monitors under $100 will be more than enough to cover you. Just go through it now, and you’ll find yourself a bargain.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our list incorporates some of the best low-budget monitors available in the market. Their efficiency and distinctive traits enable them to stand out from others.^[3] The hand-picked ones below are incredibly slick and have a high refresh rate, fast response time, high resolution, and built-in speakers.

1. Acer Ultra Thin Frame Monitor

Our first affordable computer screen is Acer’s 21.5-inch ultra-thin frame monitor. It has a refresh rate of 75Hz using an HDMI port and offers a full HD widescreen display.

Its brightness can be maxed out at 250 nits. It has a slight tilt angle ranging from -5 to 15, as well as Radeon free sync technology.

Buy this computer monitor.

2. Sceptre Ultra-Thin Display

Sceptre is another company that provides excellent displays for your CPU. The screen size is a little smaller at 20 inches, but it’s made up for the slightly lower price than Acer. It also comes with two HDMI ports and built-in speakers and is wall mount ready.

Buy this computer monitor.

3. ViewSonic LED Monitor

If you want the best monitor to set up in your office or around the house, ViewSonic’s LED screen is another good option to buy. The resolution is full HD and has a broader tilt ranging from -5 to 23 degrees.

On top of that, the product comes with a 3-year warranty. Included in the bundle are a VGA cable, monitor, power cable, and audio cable.

Buy this computer monitor.

4. ViewSonic Gaming Screen

While we just covered a ViewSonic monitor, this one is specifically built for gaming in mind.

Overall, this computer screen provides the same specs as the previously mentioned item. The key differences are that this one is slightly longer, comes with pre-set customizable visual modes, and offers a maxed out contrast, delivering a dynamic contrast ratio for sharp and crisp images. It also comes with a DVI cable.

Buy this computer monitor.

5. Asus Back Lit Monitor

If you don’t mind spending a little more money, you can get an Asus Back Lit Monitor for your PC. A lot of the focus is on image quality, particularly having a strong contrast ratio and smart video technology for straight viewing. That feature also helps in reducing blue light since you’ll have more flexibility with the colors and brightness.

Buy this computer monitor.

6. Asus Back Lit Display

Another alternative to the previous Asus monitor is this one. It has a smaller contrast ratio, though it still delivers a smooth video display. You also have aspect controls, so you can adjust its display.

Buy this computer monitor.

7. Dell Ultrasharp Panel Monitor

If you’re looking for the basic features, look no further than Dell. There’s nothing particularly fancy about this panel screen, but it does the job well for any computer.

Its response time is 8ms, which is typical for a monitor. It can come in either silver or black.

Buy this computer monitor.

8. ViewSonic Frameless Monitor

If you liked ViewSonic’s LED monitor but wanted a little more features, we suggest looking at their frameless display. While it boasts similar specs as the brand’s other monitors, it offers color correction and dual built-in speakers, making it ideal for office and home use. It’s also 22 inches long.

Buy this computer monitor.

9. Dell Mountable LED-Lit Monitor

For a dependable display with a good frame rate, Dell has a mountable, LED-lit monitor in the market. It measures 18.5 inches, has an adjustable arm, and has been through rigorous testing for long-lasting reliability. You can’t go wrong with this best monitor either.

Buy this computer monitor.

10. Sceptre Monitor

The final screen to cover comes from Sceptre. Compared to the ultra-thin version mentioned above, this one is available in 22 inches. Beyond that, it’s your standard display that provides decent tilting at -5 to 15 degrees, wall-mounted capabilities, 5ms response time, and built-in speakers.

Buy this computer monitor.

Final Thoughts

Finding one of the best monitors around can be tricky. If you’re looking for an affordable one that can last for years, consider picking a computer screen from this list.

Featured photo credit: Sebastian Bednarek via unsplash.com