If you’re waking up this Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, wondering do the Los Angeles Chargers play today, I have some tough news for you. The short answer is no.
While the NFL Divisional Round officially kicks off today with two massive games, the Chargers won't be taking the field. After a rollercoaster season that saw Jim Harbaugh lead the team to an 11-6 record, the Bolts hit a wall in the Wild Card round last week. It was a cold, frustrating night in Foxborough, where the New England Patriots effectively shut down Justin Herbert in a 16-3 defensive slog.
It's a bitter pill to swallow. Just a few weeks ago, the vibe around El Segundo was electric. Fans were dreaming of a deep playoff run. Instead, the team is already deep into its offseason evaluations, and today’s football schedule features four other teams still fighting for a trip to the Super Bowl.
Why the Chargers aren't on the field for today's NFL schedule
Honestly, the "how" matters just as much as the "why." The Chargers entered the postseason as the No. 7 seed in the AFC. They were the underdog against the No. 2 seeded Patriots, but many experts thought Herbert and Harbaugh had enough juice to pull off the upset.
They didn't.
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The game was a nightmare for the offense. Herbert fell to 0-3 in his career postseason games, and the team struggled to find the end zone even once. Drake Maye and the Patriots' defense simply had their number. Because that was a "win or go home" scenario, the Chargers went home.
Who actually plays today?
Since the Bolts are out, you might be wondering who is actually occupying your Saturday TV time. We’ve got a double-header today:
- Game 1: The Buffalo Bills travel to face the No. 1 seed Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET on CBS).
- Game 2: An NFC West grudge match between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET on FOX).
Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, the action continues with the Houston Texans visiting the Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Chicago Bears. It’s a great weekend for football, even if the powder blue jerseys are conspicuously missing.
What went wrong for the Bolts this year?
Looking back at the 2025-2026 campaign, it’s easy to feel conflicted. On one hand, 11-6 is a solid record. Harbaugh brought a physical identity to the team that had been missing for years. They started the season 3-0, including a huge opening win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil.
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But the finish was ugly.
The team lost its final two regular-season games, which dropped them to the bottom of the playoff bracket. That momentum loss carried right into the Wild Card round. The firing of offensive coordinator Greg Roman just days after the playoff loss tells you everything you need to know about the internal frustration regarding the team's scoring output late in the year.
Misconceptions about the Chargers' playoff status
You might have seen some early January schedule projections that had the Chargers playing this weekend. That's because the NFL seeding wasn't finalized until the very last Sunday of the regular season.
If the Chargers had beaten the Denver Broncos in Week 18, they likely would have secured a higher seed and possibly a home game. Instead, the loss locked them into that road trip to New England. There was also some confusion among casual fans because the Chargers were technically "in" the hunt until the very end, but "clinching" a spot and "advancing" in the bracket are two very different things.
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What’s next for the Los Angeles Chargers?
The offseason is officially here for the Bolts. While the rest of the league watches the Divisional Round today, Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh are already looking at the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency.
- Finding a New Offensive Coordinator: This is priority number one. The team needs someone who can maximize Justin Herbert’s arm while maintaining the tough, run-heavy culture Harbaugh wants.
- Roster Refinement: We saw some great individual performances this year. Derwin James and Tuli Tuipulotu were standouts, and rookie offensive tackle Joe Alt looked like a future cornerstone. However, the depth at wide receiver and in the secondary was exposed during the final stretch.
- The 2026 Schedule: We already know who the Chargers will play next season, though the dates won't be set until May. They’ll be facing their usual AFC West rivals, plus the AFC East and NFC West divisions.
Basically, if you were looking for the Chargers today, you’ll have to wait until the preseason in August. It’s a long wait, but that’s the reality of a Wild Card exit.
To keep track of the remaining teams, keep an eye on the results of the Bills-Broncos and 49ers-Seahawks games today. Those winners will move one step closer to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara. For the Chargers, the focus shifts to ensuring that when people ask "do the Los Angeles Chargers play today" next January, the answer is a resounding yes.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the final scores of today's AFC Divisional game to see who will face the winner of Texans-Patriots.
- Monitor the Chargers' coaching search updates; the team is expected to interview several high-profile OC candidates this week.
- Review the 2026 opponent list to start planning for next year's home games at SoFi Stadium.