If you’re staring at the calendar realizing we’ve already hit mid-January, you’re probably feeling that annual mix of excitement and mild panic. The regular season drama—the "how did they lose that?" moments and the "wait, they’re actually good?" surprises—is officially in the rearview mirror. We are currently deep in the 2025-26 postseason. Honestly, it feels like the season just started yesterday, but here we are.
So, let's get right to it. How many games left in the NFL right now?
As of Wednesday, January 14, 2026, there are exactly 7 games left in the NFL season.
That’s it. Seven games to decide who takes home the Lombardi Trophy at Levi's Stadium. If you missed Wild Card weekend, you missed a lot. We saw the Chicago Bears pull off a massive comeback against the Packers, and the Houston Texans absolutely dismantle the Steelers. But the bracket is set, and the path to February 8th is shorter than you think.
The Divisional Round Breakdown: 4 Huge Games
The upcoming weekend is often called the best weekend of football all year. Why? Because the top seeds finally come out to play. The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos have been resting up with their first-round byes, and now they have to face battle-tested teams that just survived a win-or-go-home scenario.
Here is what the schedule looks like for the Divisional Round:
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Saturday, January 17, 2026
The action starts in the afternoon with the Buffalo Bills heading to Colorado to face the Denver Broncos. That’s the first of the four. Later that night, it’s an NFC West slugfest: the San Francisco 49ers at the Seattle Seahawks.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
The second half of the weekend features the Houston Texans visiting the New England Patriots (who, surprisingly, found their way back to a #2 seed this year). Finally, the weekend wraps up with the Los Angeles Rams traveling to Soldier Field to face Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears.
That’s four games. Once the clock hits zero on Sunday night, we’ll be down to just three.
Championship Sunday: The Final Two Before the Big One
After the dust settles from the Divisional Round, we move to Sunday, January 25, 2026. This is where the tension gets almost unbearable. You have the AFC Championship Game and the NFC Championship Game.
These two games are played back-to-back. One winner from the AFC, one winner from the NFC. Historically, these games are often more physical and hard-hitting than the Super Bowl itself because everything is on the line just to get an invitation to the party.
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- AFC Championship: 3:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
- NFC Championship: 6:40 p.m. ET on Fox.
Once these games end, the question of how many games left in the NFL becomes much simpler: just one.
The Grand Finale: Super Bowl LX
The seventh and final game of the season is Super Bowl LX.
It’s happening on February 8, 2026. We’re heading to Santa Clara, California—specifically Levi’s Stadium. It’s kind of wild to think that after 18 weeks of the regular season and three rounds of playoffs, it all comes down to 60 minutes (well, usually more like four hours with commercials) on a Sunday in February.
Bad Bunny is reportedly the halftime performer, so even if your team isn't there, the spectacle is going to be massive. But for the players, it’s about that ring.
Why the Number of Games Matters for Your Planning
Knowing there are only seven games left changes how you approach your weekends. If you're a bettor, the sample size for these teams is now huge. You know exactly who they are. If you’re a fantasy fan, you’re probably playing "Daily Fantasy" or playoff challenges now.
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It’s also worth noting that this is the first time in over a decade we aren't seeing the Kansas City Chiefs in this mix. The AFC is wide open. Seeing the Patriots back in a position of power while the Texans look like the most dangerous "young" team in the league creates a weirdly nostalgic yet fresh dynamic.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Remaining Schedule
People often forget about the "Pro Bowl Games." If you’re counting every single NFL-sanctioned event, there’s technically an extra weekend in there (February 1st). But does it count as a "game" in the traditional sense? Most fans say no. It's more of a skills competition and flag football event in San Francisco.
When we talk about how many games left in the NFL, we are talking about meaningful, tackle football that counts toward a championship. By that metric, we are on a fast-track to the end.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Don't let the last seven games of the season pass you by without a plan.
- Sync your calendar now. The Divisional Round starts at 4:30 p.m. ET this Saturday. If you have errands, get them done early.
- Check your streaming setups. With games split between CBS/Paramount+, Fox, NBC/Peacock, and ESPN/ABC, make sure your logins actually work before kickoff. There is nothing worse than missing a first-quarter touchdown because you were resetting a password.
- Track the injuries. Keep a close eye on Fred Warner's ankle status for the Niners and how the Broncos' rest affects their rhythm. Byes are great, but "rust vs. rage" is a real thing in the Divisional Round.
- Plan your Super Bowl spread. Since there are only 7 games left, you only have three more "football Sundays" including the Super Bowl. Make them count.
The 2025-26 season has been a rollercoaster. From the Eagles' mid-season slump to the Bears' resurgence, it's been anything but predictable. Enjoy these final seven matchups—the off-season is long, and February will be here before you know it.