So, you’re looking for the kickoff time for the Arizona Cardinals game today, Sunday, January 18, 2026. I’ll get straight to the point: The Arizona Cardinals do not have a game today. While the NFL is currently in the heat of the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Cardinals' season wrapped up roughly two weeks ago. If you’ve been following the rollercoaster that was the 2025-2026 campaign, you know it wasn't exactly the "Year of the Bird." After a 3-14 finish, the team is already deep into its offseason plans while other NFC West rivals like the Rams and Seahawks are fighting for a spot in the Super Bowl.
What time is the Arizona Cardinals game today?
There is no game. Honestly, the locker rooms at State Farm Stadium are likely empty, and the players have long since headed home for the winter. The Cardinals ended their season on January 4, 2026, with a 37-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
If you see football on your TV today, you’re likely looking at the remaining elite teams. Here is what the actual NFL schedule looks like for today, Sunday, Jan 18:
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: Started at 1:00 PM MST (Patriots won 28-16).
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: This is the primetime slot, kicking off at 4:30 PM MST on NBC and Peacock.
It’s a bit of a bummer for the Red Sea, especially since three of the four teams in the NFC West—Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles—all made the postseason this year. Arizona was the odd man out, finishing dead last in the division with a dismal 0-6 record against divisional opponents.
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Why the Cardinals are already on vacation
The 2025 season was supposed to be a step forward. Instead, it felt like a slide backward into a cactus. The team struggled with consistency, and the defense frequently looked gapped. This disappointing run led to a major shakeup: Head Coach Jonathan Gannon was fired shortly after the season ended.
Gannon finished his tenure in Arizona with a 15-36 record over three seasons. It’s tough. You’ve got a franchise that is the oldest professional football team in the country, yet they’ve only played 17 postseason games in their entire history. Fans are restless. The "Red Sea" wants a winner, and a 3-win season isn't going to cut it in a division that currently houses some of the best teams in the league.
Because of that 3-14 record, the Cardinals aren't playing today, but they do have a high prize waiting for them. They currently hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Looking ahead to the 2026 Season
Just because there isn't a game today doesn't mean there's nothing to talk about. The front office is currently scouting the next generation of talent to pair with Kyler Murray—or perhaps to replace him, depending on how the new coaching staff feels.
We actually already know who the Cardinals will play next year, even if we don't have the exact dates yet (the NFL usually drops the full schedule in May).
2026 Home Opponents
Expect to see the Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, and Washington Commanders visit Glendale next season. These are in addition to the usual suspects: the 49ers, Rams, and Seahawks.
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2026 Road Trips
The Cardinals have some tough travel ahead. They’ll be heading to Kansas City to face the Chiefs, Dallas to play the Cowboys, and they even have a trip to New Orleans on the books.
Actionable Steps for Cardinals Fans Today
Since you can't watch the Cardinals today, here is how you can actually spend your Sunday if you still want your football fix:
- Watch the Rams vs. Bears: Since the Rams are a division rival, watching them in the Divisional Round (4:30 PM MST on NBC) gives you a good look at the "bar" the Cardinals need to clear next year.
- Monitor Coaching Searches: Keep an eye on local Arizona sports outlets like Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. The search for Gannon's replacement is the biggest story in the valley right now.
- Draft Prep: Start looking at Top 5 big boards for the 2026 NFL Draft. With the 3rd pick, Arizona is in a prime position to snag a generational offensive lineman or a lockdown cornerback.
- Check Ticket Priorities: If you're planning on going to games next year, the team has already opened up "Priority List" sign-ups for 2026 season tickets.
Basically, today is a day for scouting and rest. The road back to relevance for the Cardinals starts with the decisions made in the next few weeks, not on the field today.