Look, I get it. You’re sitting there, maybe finished with work or just looking for something to watch, and you're wondering, are there any professional football games today? It’s mid-January. Usually, this is the prime time for pigskin. But if you’re looking for a kickoff right now, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, I’ve got some news that might be a little bit of a letdown.
The short answer is no. There are no professional football games scheduled for today.
It feels weird, doesn't it? We just came off a massive Wild Card weekend that saw the Pittsburgh Steelers get stifled by the Houston Texans and the 49ers knocking out the defending champ Eagles. But Wednesday is historically a "dead zone" for the NFL, even in the heat of the playoffs.
Why are there no professional football games today?
Basically, the NFL schedule is built on a specific rhythm once the postseason hits. We just finished the Wild Card Round, which ran from Saturday, January 10 through Monday, January 12.
Players need recovery. Coaches need to grind film.
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Right now, the eight remaining teams are in their practice facilities. They’re installing game plans for the Divisional Round, which doesn't start until this coming Saturday. Honestly, if they played on a Wednesday, the quality of football would probably be terrible because nobody’s body is healed up yet.
Also, today is a massive administrative day for the league. January 14 is actually the official deadline for college underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft. So while there’s no action on the field, the front offices are frantic.
When does the action start again?
You won't have to wait long. The Divisional Playoffs kick off this weekend. Here is how the slate looks for the next few days:
- Saturday, Jan 17: The Buffalo Bills travel to face the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET. Later that night, the 49ers head to Seattle for an NFC West rematch at 8:00 p.m. ET.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The Houston Texans are at New England (3:00 p.m. ET) and the Rams take on the Bears at Soldier Field (6:30 p.m. ET).
What about other professional leagues?
I know some of you are thinking about the spring leagues or the CFL.
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The UFL (United Football League) is currently in its offseason. They just held their 2026 draft earlier this week, and their season doesn't actually start until March 27. They've got some new teams this year—the Columbus Aviators and Louisville Kings—but you won't see them in pads for a couple of months.
As for the CFL, their 2026 schedule doesn't even start until June 4. Canada is a bit too frozen for football in mid-January, even for the Grey Cup champs.
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People often assume that because it's "playoff season," there’s a game every night like the NBA or NHL. But football is a different beast. The physical toll is so high that the weekly cadence is strictly protected.
Even the "Monday Night Football" playoff game we just saw is a relatively new addition to the calendar. Usually, the mid-week is reserved for things like the East-West Shrine Bowl or Senior Bowl practices, but even those don't start until later this month (January 27 and 31, respectively).
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Where to get your fix instead
If you’re desperate for sports today, you’re basically looking at the NBA or NHL. Tonight, the Denver Nuggets are taking on the Dallas Mavericks on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET. It’s not a goal-line stand, but it’s high-level pro sports.
If you strictly want football, your best bet is to catch up on the All-Pro announcements. Matthew Stafford just ended a record-tying wait for a first-team AP NFL All-Pro honor, which is a pretty cool story to dive into while you wait for Saturday's kickoff.
Your next steps for the Divisional Round
Since there isn't a game on tonight, use this time to get your setup ready for the weekend.
- Check your streaming: Saturday’s Bills/Broncos game is on CBS/Paramount+, but the nightcap is on FOX. Make sure your logins haven't expired.
- Monitor the injury reports: Keep an eye on the Bears' roster moves; they just moved linebacker T.J. Edwards to IR, which could be huge for the Rams' chances on Sunday.
- Set your alerts: Use the NFL app to tag the Divisional Round games so you get a ping before the 4:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday.
The wait is annoying, but the Divisional Round is widely considered the best weekend of football in the entire year. It's worth the three-day gap.