So, you're looking for the Birds. You’ve got the jersey ready, maybe some snacks lined up, and you’re wondering do the eagles play football today or if you missed the memo.
I’ll give it to you straight: No. The Philadelphia Eagles are not playing today, Thursday, January 15, 2026.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for Philly fans who were hoping for another deep January run. If you feel like the season just vanished, you aren't alone. This team looked like a powerhouse for a large chunk of the year, but the NFL playoffs are a cruel, single-elimination beast.
The Wild Card heartbreak against San Francisco
The reason the Eagles aren't on your TV today stems from what happened just a few days ago. On Sunday, January 11, the Birds hosted the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. It was a 4:30 PM EST kickoff that felt like it was going to be an instant classic.
Honestly, the energy at the Linc was electric, but the scoreboard didn't care about the vibes. The Eagles fell 23-19.
💡 You might also like: Seahawks Standing in the NFL: Why Seattle is Stuck in the Playoff Purgatory Middle
It was a gritty, ugly, defensive battle. Saquon Barkley was a bright spot, as he usually is, churning out 131 yards and showing exactly why Howie Roseman paid up for him. But losing Lane Johnson to that nagging foot injury really hurt the protection for Jalen Hurts. Without Lane anchoring that right side, the 49ers' pass rush just became too much to handle in the fourth quarter.
The loss snapped a five-game home playoff winning streak that dated back to 2019. Watching the clock hit zero and seeing the Niners celebrate on our turf? Not exactly the way anyone wanted to spend their Sunday evening.
What the rest of the NFL schedule looks like
Since the Eagles are out, the rest of the league moves on without them. We're currently in the lull between the Wild Card round and the Divisional Round.
If you're a football junkie and just want to watch any game, you’re going to have to wait until the weekend. The NFL isn't doing a Thursday night playoff game this week. Here is how the next few days look:
📖 Related: Sammy Sosa Before and After Steroids: What Really Happened
- Saturday, January 17: The Buffalo Bills head to Denver to play the Broncos at 4:30 PM ET. Later that night, at 8:00 PM ET, the 49ers—the team that just sent us packing—face the Seattle Seahawks.
- Sunday, January 18: The Houston Texans travel to New England at 3:00 PM ET. The weekend wraps up with the Los Angeles Rams visiting the Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET.
Basically, the Eagles' locker room is already being cleared out while these other eight teams prepare for the Divisional Round.
Looking back at the 2025-2026 season
It’s easy to get caught up in the disappointment of the playoff exit, but the Eagles actually had a solid regular season. They finished 11-6. They won the NFC East, becoming the first team to repeat as division champs since... well, the 2004 Eagles.
Remember the Week 15 shutout against the Raiders? Or that nail-biter win in Buffalo in Week 17? This team showed they could compete with anyone. Jalen Hurts finished the season with 26 passing touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. That’s elite efficiency, no matter how you slice it.
On the defensive side, the kids really stepped up. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean both earned First-Team All-Pro honors. Seeing two rookie/sophomore corners play at that level gives a lot of hope for the future, even if today feels a bit empty.
👉 See also: Saint Benedict's Prep Soccer: Why the Gray Bees Keep Winning Everything
What happens next for the Birds?
So, the question do the eagles play football today has been answered with a "no," but the front office is already working on 2026.
The 2026 opponents are already locked in. We know the Eagles will be facing the AFC South next year. That means games against the Texans, Colts, Jaguars, and Titans. We’re also looking at home games against the Rams and Seahawks.
Howie Roseman is probably already staring at draft boards and salary cap spreadsheets. The biggest questions heading into the offseason will likely involve the aging offensive line and how to replenish the depth behind Lane Johnson.
Actionable steps for Eagles fans
Since there’s no game today, here is how you can stay plugged in during the offseason:
- Watch the Senior Bowl: Keep an eye on the upcoming prospects in late January/early February. The Eagles always value trench players, so watch the O-line and D-line drills.
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: There are always rumors after a playoff exit. Stay tuned to see if Nick Sirianni makes any adjustments to his coordinator positions.
- Check the 2026 Schedule Release: The official dates and times won't drop until May, but you can already see who the home and away opponents will be to start planning your road trips.
- Review the All-Pro Tape: Go back and watch highlights of Mitchell and DeJean. It’s the best way to remind yourself that the secondary is in good hands for the next decade.
The season is over, but the cycle never stops. Go Birds.