You're scrolling through the guide. You're checking the sports bars. Maybe you even rebooted the router thinking the app was glitching out. But the truth is simpler and a bit of a bummer for anyone in Georgia today: there is no falcons game channel today because the Atlanta Falcons’ 2025-2026 season has already hit the finish line.
January 16, 2026, falls right in the middle of the NFL’s Divisional Round weekend preparation. While the heavy hitters like the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears are getting ready for their high-stakes matchups tomorrow, the Falcons are currently in "evaluation mode."
They aren't playing. The season is over.
Where the Falcons season actually ended
Honestly, it’s been a rollercoaster. If you were looking for the falcons game channel today hoping to see a playoff run, you likely missed the Week 18 finale. On January 4, 2026, Atlanta wrapped things up at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against their heated rivals, the New Orleans Saints.
It was actually a decent game. Younghoe Koo (or whoever ended up handling the kicking duties by then) and the offense managed a 19-17 win to send the fans home happy. But that win only pushed their record to 8-9. In the NFC South, "almost" doesn't get you a wildcard spot.
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Because they finished third in the division, they watched the playoff bracket get set without them. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Saints (despite the loss) were the ones hovering around the conversation, but Atlanta is officially in the offseason.
Why the TV guide is lying to you (sorta)
You might see "Falcons" mentioned on some sports networks today. Don't let it fool you. NFL Network and ESPN often run replays of "Games of the Year" or highlight reels during the playoff weeks.
If you see a falcons game channel today listed on a local affiliate like FOX 5 or 11Alive, it’s almost certainly a pre-recorded special or a "season in review" segment. The live pads won't popping again until the preseason in August.
Looking ahead to the 2026 schedule
Since we can't watch them today, the next best thing is figuring out who they’ll be beating up on next year. The NFL has already solidified the opponents for the 2026 season based on those third-place standings.
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Atlanta is slated to face some absolute monsters at home. We’re talking about the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers coming to the Benz. That’s going to be a tough ticket to get.
They also have the usual suspects:
- Carolina Panthers (Home and Away)
- New Orleans Saints (Home and Away)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Home and Away)
- Baltimore Ravens (Home)
- Green Bay Packers (Away)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Away)
It’s a brutal schedule. Playing the AFC North and NFC North in the same cycle is basically a recipe for a lot of bruises.
The International Game rumors
There is one detail that might change which falcons game channel today you’ll need in the future. The league has already granted Atlanta an international home game for 2026. This means one of those big home games—maybe the Bengals or the Ravens—could be shifted to London or Munich.
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When that happens, the "channel" usually shifts from your local FOX or CBS to an early-morning exclusive on NFL Network or even a streaming-only deal on ESPN+ or Peacock.
How to actually watch NFL playoffs today
If you’re just a fan of the sport and want to see some playoff action while the Falcons sit this one out, you have to wait until tomorrow, January 17.
The "today" of January 16 is a Friday. The NFL almost never plays on Friday unless it's a weird holiday fluke or a Black Friday special. Tomorrow is when the real chaos starts.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos. This will be on CBS at 4:30 PM ET.
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks. This is the primetime slot on FOX at 8:00 PM ET.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (on ABC/ESPN) and the Rams at Chicago Bears (on NBC).
Basically, if you’re looking for football right this second, you’re stuck with college highlights or re-watching Kirk Cousins (or his successor) try to navigate the pocket from old game film.
Actionable steps for Falcons fans
Since there is no live falcons game channel today, here is how you can actually prepare for the next time they do take the field:
- Check the Draft Order: With an 8-9 record, Atlanta is sitting in that middle-of-the-pack draft territory. Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl updates coming up in a few weeks to see which edge rushers might be available.
- Audit your Streaming Services: Most Falcons games air on FOX (locally) or CBS. If you’re cutting the cord before the 2026 season, make sure you have a plan for receiving local channels, like an OTA antenna or a subscription to Fubo or YouTube TV.
- The Jersey Clearance: Now is the time. Since the season just ended, the official team store and fanatics often drop prices on current roster jerseys to make room for the new spring arrivals.
The search for a falcons game channel today ends in a bit of a "dry well," but the 2026 season cycle starts sooner than you think with the scouting combine just around the corner in February.