If you’re frantically searching for the dolphins game tonight what channel because you’re ready to see Tyreek Hill burn a secondary or watch Tua Tagovailoa orchestrate a drive, I have some news that might sting.
The Miami Dolphins are not playing tonight.
Honestly, it’s a tough pill to swallow when you've got the wings ready and the lucky jersey on. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and while the NFL Divisional Round is in full swing, the Dolphins' season actually wrapped up a couple of weeks ago. They finished their 2025-2026 regular season campaign on January 4 with a tough road loss against the New England Patriots.
Since they didn't make the cut for the postseason this year, the "channel" for the Dolphins tonight is basically whatever highlight reel you can find on YouTube. But don't click away just yet. If you're a football junkie, there is still massive playoff action happening right now that impacts the AFC landscape Miami lives in.
What’s Actually on TV Tonight Instead of the Dolphins?
Since you probably settled in on the couch expecting playoff-caliber football, you aren't going to be left totally empty-handed. The NFL schedule for today is actually pretty legendary, even without the Fins.
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The Divisional Round is where the real drama happens. Right now, the Houston Texans are taking on the New England Patriots (the team that just knocked Miami out of the race). That game kicked off at 3:00 p.m. ET and is airing on ABC and ESPN. If you're looking for the primetime slot, the Los Angeles Rams are facing the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. That one starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
- Texans at Patriots: 3:00 PM ET (ABC/ESPN)
- Rams at Bears: 6:30 PM ET (NBC/Peacock)
It’s weird seeing the Patriots still playing while the Dolphins are home, especially given how the AFC East looked mid-season. New England really turned it on late.
Why the Dolphins Aren't Playing Tonight
It basically came down to a brutal January 4th finale. Miami headed up to Foxborough with everything on the line, but they ended up falling 38-10 to the Patriots. It wasn't pretty. The offense struggled in the cold—a recurring theme for Miami late in the year—and the defense couldn't get off the field.
When people ask about the dolphins game tonight what channel, they’re often remembering the explosive start the team had. Earlier in the season, it felt like Miami was a lock for a deep January run. They had those massive wins against the Jets and that wild shootout against the Bengals in Week 16 that aired on CBS. But the NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" league, and lately, the Dolphins just haven't been able to close the door on divisional rivals.
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Looking Ahead to the 2026 Miami Dolphins Season
Since tonight is a wash for Fins fans, let's talk about the future. We already know who the Dolphins are playing in 2026. While the specific dates and times won't be out until the NFL's big schedule release in May, the opponents are locked in.
Miami is going to have a fascinating 2026 schedule. They’ve got their usual AFC East gauntlet against the Bills, Jets, and Patriots. But they also have some heavy-hitting non-divisional games. They’ll be hosting the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium, which is always a massive TV draw. They also have a cross-country trip to face the San Francisco 49ers on the road.
2026 Home Opponents
The atmosphere at Hard Rock is going to be electric for these. Expect most of these to be on CBS or FOX, with at least one or two landing on Thursday Night Football (Amazon Prime).
- Buffalo Bills
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Cincinnati Bengals
2026 Away Opponents
- Buffalo Bills
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Indianapolis Colts
- San Francisco 49ers
How to Stay Ready for the 2026 Season
Even though you won't find a dolphins game tonight what channel on your local listings, the offseason is when the real work happens. If you want to make sure you never miss a kickoff once September rolls around, here’s the setup you need:
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- Get an Antenna: Most Dolphins games air locally on CBS (WFOR-TV in Miami) or FOX. A simple digital antenna gets you these for free in high definition.
- Paramount+ and Peacock: These are becoming essential for streaming the games that air on CBS and NBC.
- YouTube TV with NFL Sunday Ticket: If you’re a Dolphins fan living outside of South Florida, this is the only way to catch every single out-of-market game.
- Amazon Prime: Don't forget that Thursday Night Football is almost exclusively here now.
It’s definitely a bummer that the Dolphins aren't part of the Divisional Round festivities tonight. Watching the Patriots host a playoff game while Miami sits at home is a tough pill to swallow for the Dolfans. But the 2026 roster is already taking shape, and with a few key defensive adjustments in the draft, next year’s "tonight" might actually feature the teal and orange.
For now, grab a drink, turn on NBC, and watch the Rams and Bears battle it out in the Chicago cold. It's not Miami football, but it's still playoff football.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official NFL standings to see the final 2025-2026 seedings.
- Monitor the 2026 NFL Draft order; the Dolphins will be looking to bolster their offensive line early.
- Keep an eye out for the 2026 schedule release in May to see exactly when those home games against the Chiefs and Lions will happen.