So, you’re looking for the game. You've got the snacks ready, or maybe you’re just trying to plan your afternoon around some high-stakes football. Does the NFL play today?
Honestly, if you are asking this on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the short answer is no. There are no NFL games today.
We are currently sitting in that strange, quiet pocket of the postseason. It’s the "eye of the storm" between the chaos of Wild Card Weekend and the heavyweight battles of the Divisional Round. The league just wrapped up a massive six-game slate that saw the Houston Texans absolutely dismantle the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 on Monday night. That game was a bit of a shocker, especially with Mike Tomlin stepping down shortly after. Now, the league takes a breather to let the remaining eight teams travel, practice, and—in the case of the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks—finally get their hands dirty after a week off.
When Is the Next NFL Game?
The wait isn't long. We basically have a few days of speculation and injury reports before the pads come back on. The Divisional Round officially kicks off this Saturday.
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If you’re wondering why the mid-week is so empty, it’s mostly about recovery and the TV schedule. The NFL loves a "Super Wild Card Weekend" that stretches into Monday, which naturally pushes the next set of games to the following weekend. Today is specifically a big day for the front office and college scouts, as it's the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft. But for the fans? It's a day for podcasts and over-analyzing the spread.
Upcoming Divisional Round Schedule
- Saturday, January 17: The Buffalo Bills head to the thin air of Mile High to face the Denver Broncos. That one starts at 4:30 PM ET on CBS. Later that night, it's an NFC West slugfest with the San Francisco 49ers visiting the Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
- Sunday, January 18: The Houston Texans—fresh off that Monday night win—travel to face the New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET (ABC/ESPN). We finish the weekend in the Windy City, where the Los Angeles Rams play the Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET on NBC.
Why Does the NFL Play Today (or Not)?
The league's scheduling logic is pretty simple: they want the biggest possible audience. Mid-week games like "Thursday Night Football" are great for the regular season to keep the brand in your face all week long. But once the playoffs hit? They move almost everything to the weekend.
One big reason for no Wednesday games is player safety. These guys just played high-intensity games a few days ago. The Texans and Steelers just finished up roughly 48 hours ago. Asking a team to turn around and play a Divisional playoff game on a Wednesday would be a disaster for the quality of play (and the players' knees).
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Pro Tip: If you see a "Does the NFL play today" headline during the week in January, it’s almost always going to be a "No" unless it’s a rare holiday or a weather-related postponement.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Playoff Bracket
A lot of fans still think the bracket is fixed, like March Madness. It’s not. The NFL uses a "re-seeding" system. This means the highest remaining seed always plays the lowest remaining seed.
Take a look at the AFC. The #1 seed Broncos are playing the #6 seed Bills. Why? Because the #6 Bills beat the #3 Jaguars. If the #7 seed had won their game, the Broncos would be playing them instead. This keeps the regular season meaningful because that #1 seed isn't just a bye week; it’s a guarantee that you play the "weakest" team left on paper.
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In the NFC, the #1 Seahawks are hosting the #6 49ers for the same reason. It’s a brutal system if you’re a lower seed, but it makes the Divisional Round incredibly intense.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there isn't a game on the tube right now, here is how you should prep for the weekend:
- Check the Weather in Denver and Chicago: We are looking at mid-January games in outdoor stadiums. If you’re betting or setting a daily fantasy lineup, the wind and snow factors at Soldier Field and Empower Field are going to be massive.
- Monitor the Patriots’ Injury Report: New England had a relatively easy time with the Chargers (16-3), but they have a few lingering issues on the offensive line. Against a Texans pass rush that just ate Mike Tomlin's offense alive, that matters.
- Sync Your Calendar: Set alerts for Saturday at 4:30 PM ET. The Divisional Round is arguably the best weekend of football in the entire year because the talent gap is almost non-existent.
Keep an eye on the news today for those underclassmen draft declarations. While the field is empty, the future of the league is being decided in the front offices right now. We'll see you on Saturday for the real action.