If you're staring at your TV remote wondering is there a football game tonight in the nfl, you're probably not alone. It's Friday, January 16, 2026. We are currently in the thick of the postseason. Specifically, we are sitting right on the doorstep of the NFL Divisional Round.
Honestly, the schedule can get kinda weird this time of year. During the regular season, you've got your "Holy Trinity" of game days: Sunday, Monday, and Thursday. But once the playoffs hit? All bets are off. The league starts sliding games into Saturday slots to maximize those massive TV ratings.
So, let's get straight to it. There is no NFL game tonight, Friday, January 16. Friday games are incredibly rare in the NFL because of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. This law basically protects high school and college football schedules by preventing the NFL from broadcasting games on Fridays and Saturdays during their seasons. Since high school ball is mostly wrapped up by mid-January, the NFL can technically play on Saturdays now, but they almost never touch Fridays unless it's a special holiday like Black Friday.
Why the NFL Stays Away from Friday Nights
It’s mostly legal red tape and tradition. You’ve probably noticed that "Thursday Night Football" is a massive staple now, mostly living on Amazon Prime Video. But Friday? That's still largely considered sacred ground for local communities and their high school teams. Even in late January, the NFL prefers to build the hype for a massive "Super Weekend" starting tomorrow.
If you’re looking for action, you only have to wait about 24 hours. The Divisional Round officially kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, January 17.
These games are usually the best of the entire year. Many fans—and I’m kinda in this camp too—actually prefer the Divisional Round over the Super Bowl. Why? Because you get four games featuring the eight best teams in the world. The talent gap is non-existent. You don't have the "happy to be here" energy of the Wild Card round, and you don't have the two-week-long, overblown media circus of the Super Bowl. It’s just pure, high-stakes football.
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Predicting the Saturday and Sunday Slate
While the exact matchups depend on the outcomes of the Wild Card games that just wrapped up, we know the structure. The #1 seeds in each conference—whoever earned that coveted bye week—finally get back on the field. They’ve had a week to rest their bruises, watch film, and potentially get rusty. That’s always the big debate: rest vs. rust.
Usually, the NFL split-screens these. We get two games on Saturday and two on Sunday.
Historically, the Saturday games are scheduled for:
- 4:30 PM ET
- 8:15 PM ET
If you're planning your weekend, Saturday is usually when the "lower" seeds that pulled off an upset in the Wild Card round have to travel to face the giants. It’s a brutal turnaround for those teams. Imagine playing a physical game on a Monday night and then having to fly across the country to play a rested #1 seed on Saturday. It’s a tall order.
Where to Watch the Upcoming Games
Since there isn't a game tonight, you've got time to make sure your subscriptions are actually working. The NFL spreads these playoff games across every major network. You aren't going to find them all in one place, which is honestly a bit of a pain for the casual fan.
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NBC (and Peacock) will have their slice. CBS gets the AFC games usually. FOX handles the NFC. And ESPN/ABC typically gets one of the marquee matchups. If you're a cord-cutter, make sure your digital antenna is positioned right or your YouTube TV/Hulu + Live TV login hasn't expired.
There's nothing worse than kickoff happening and realizing you're stuck behind a "Forgot Password" screen.
A Quick Note on "International" Games
Some people get confused because of the London and Germany games. Those are always played on Sunday mornings (Eastern Time). Since we are in the playoffs now, international games are done for the season. Every remaining game—from tomorrow through the Super Bowl in February—is happening on U.S. soil.
How the Playoff Bracket Looks Right Now
The NFL uses a re-seeding format. This isn't like March Madness where the bracket is fixed. In the NFL, the highest remaining seed always plays the lowest remaining seed.
This means if a #7 seed pulls off a miracle and beats a #2 seed, they are guaranteed to travel to the #1 seed's house the following week. This rewards the teams that were the most consistent during the 17-game regular season grind. It makes the "road to the Super Bowl" go through the toughest environments—think sub-zero temperatures in Buffalo, the deafening noise in Kansas City, or the humidity in Florida.
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What to Do Instead of Watching Football Tonight
Since your Friday night is wide open, use it to prep for the gauntlet. Here’s a pro-tip: check the injury reports.
By Friday evening, teams have released their final "Game Status" designations. This is where you find out if that star wide receiver with the "questionable" hamstring is actually going to suit up. Use the NFL's official app or follow beat writers on social media. This is the "nuance" that separates casual fans from the experts.
If a team’s starting left tackle is out, that #1 seed might not look so dominant anymore. The quarterback is going to be under fire all night. That's the stuff that actually decides games.
Actionable Steps for the Divisional Weekend
- Verify Your Kickoff Times: Check the official NFL schedule page tomorrow morning. Times can occasionally shift slightly for TV, though it's rare.
- Stock the Fridge Now: Tomorrow is Saturday. Every grocery store in a "football town" is going to be a madhouse by noon. Get your wings, chips, and drinks tonight while everyone else is out at dinner.
- Check the Weather: If a game is in Green Bay, Buffalo, or Chicago, the weather report is more important than the depth chart. Heavy wind kills the passing game. Snow makes for great TV but messy scores.
- Update Your Apps: If you're streaming on Peacock or Paramount+, run the updates tonight. Don't wait until 4:29 PM tomorrow.
The NFL is a machine of habit. While you won't find a game tonight, the next 48 hours are going to be some of the most intense sports moments of 2026. Get your sleep now. The Divisional Round doesn't pull any punches.