The short answer is no. If you’re waking up this Saturday, January 17, 2026, hoping to see the Silver and Black take the field, I’ve got some tough news for you. The Las Vegas Raiders are not playing today.
Honestly, the season ended for the Raiders a couple of weeks ago. While today is a massive day for NFL fans—it's the kickoff of the Divisional Round of the playoffs—the Raiders didn't make the cut this year. They finished their 2025-2026 regular season campaign with a Week 18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs back on January 4th.
Where the Raiders Stand Right Now
Since they aren't playing, what are they doing? Basically, the organization is in full "rebuild and rethink" mode. While teams like the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills are fighting for a spot in the AFC Championship today, the Raiders' front office is busy in the "war room."
As of yesterday, January 16, the team was heavily involved in coaching interviews. According to league reports from insiders like Albert Breer, the Raiders have a packed schedule. They've been interviewing coordinators from the Rams and are slated to talk to Joe Brady (Bills OC) and Klay Kubiak (49ers OC) tomorrow.
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It’s that weird, quiet part of the year for a team that missed the postseason. Instead of film study for an opponent, it's film study for the NFL Draft and vetting the next person to lead the locker room.
Who IS on TV Today?
If you just want to watch some high-stakes football, today’s schedule is actually pretty incredible. Since you were looking for the Raiders, you’re likely an AFC fan, so the first game should pique your interest.
The AFC Divisional Matchup
At 4:30 PM ET, the Buffalo Bills travel to face the Denver Broncos. This is a huge one. It’s airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Seeing a division rival like the Broncos as the No. 1 seed probably hurts for Raiders fans, but it's the game of the day for the AFC.
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The NFC Nightcap
Later tonight, at 8:00 PM ET, the San Francisco 49ers take on the Seattle Seahawks. That one is over on FOX. It’s a classic West Coast rivalry, and considering the Raiders' history in the Bay Area, there are usually plenty of Silver and Black fans who keep an eye on what the Niners are doing.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
The Raiders' 2026 opponents are already locked in, even if the specific dates and times won't be announced by the NFL until May. Because they finished at the bottom of the AFC West this year, their 2026 schedule looks a bit different.
They’ll obviously play the Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos twice. But they are also slated to face the AFC East and the NFC West next season. That means games against the Dolphins, Bills, Rams, and Seahawks are on the horizon.
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Actionable Next Steps for Raiders Fans
Since there’s no game to watch today, here’s how you can stay updated on what actually matters for the team’s future:
- Monitor the Coaching Search: Follow beat writers like Vincent Bonsignore or Hondo Carpenter. The team is expected to narrow down their head coaching finalists by the end of next week.
- Draft Positioning: Start looking at mock drafts for the top 10 picks. With the season over, the Raiders' draft slot is secured, and they’ll likely be looking for a franchise quarterback or a dominant interior defensive lineman.
- Check Other Raiders: If you absolutely need a "Raiders" fix, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are playing Missouri State in college basketball today at 5:00 PM CT on ESPN+. It’s not the NFL, but it’s something.
The Raiders might be idle today, but the next few months of hiring and drafting will define whether we’re asking "is the raiders game on tv today" during the playoffs this time next year.