You’re sitting on the couch, remote in hand, wondering what is today's football game and if it's actually worth your time. Honestly, keeping track of the schedule lately feels like a full-time job. Between the NFL’s aggressive expansion into literally every day of the week and the massive realignment in college ball, you can't just assume Saturday is for NCAA and Sunday is for the pros anymore.
Today is Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
If you were looking for a high-stakes NFL matchup tonight, I’ve got some bad news. We are currently in that weird, tense limbo between the end of the regular season and the heat of the playoffs. The NFL regular season wrapped up just days ago. Right now, the league is catching its breath before the Wild Card Weekend kicks off. There is no NFL game tonight.
But don't toss the remote just yet. While the big league is dark on a Tuesday in mid-January, the broader football landscape—especially when you look at the recent shifts in the UFL and the ripples left by yesterday's College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship—is still buzzing with enough drama to keep any fan occupied.
Why the Tuesday night "blackout" exists right now
NFL fans have been spoiled. This past season, we saw games on Wednesdays, Fridays, and the usual Monday night marathons. But January is different. The league protects its players' recovery time heading into the postseason. You won't see a Tuesday game in January unless a massive blizzard moves a game back 48 hours, which, luckily, hasn't happened this week.
Instead of a game, today is the day of the "walking wounded."
👉 See also: NL Rookie of the Year 2025: Why Drake Baldwin Actually Deserved the Hardware
In team facilities across the country, coaches are staring at injury reports. If you're a fan of the 49ers or the Ravens—teams that secured those precious first-round byes—today isn't about playing; it's about staying away from the field. It's about ice baths. It's about film study. For the rest of the playoff field, today is the first "real" practice day of the Wild Card cycle.
The shadow of the National Championship
We are less than 24 hours removed from the biggest game in college football. If you're asking what is today's football game because you feel like you missed something, you're likely feeling the hangover from last night's CFP National Championship.
The dust is still settling on that game. Whether the SEC continued its dominance or a Big Ten powerhouse finally broke through, the conversation today isn't about a live game; it's about the transfer portal and the NFL Draft declarations. For example, scouts are currently dissecting every snap from last night to see if the projected top-five picks lived up to the hype or crumbled under the bright lights of a neutral-site stadium.
The shifting schedule: When "Today's Game" isn't on a Sunday
The "NFL Sunday" concept is basically dead. The league realized years ago that they own the calendar, and they aren't afraid to use it. We've reached a point where the question of what is today's football game can yield a legitimate answer on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.
Take the 2025-2026 season we just witnessed. We had the Black Friday game. We had the Christmas Day triple-header, which happened on a Thursday this year. It was a logistical nightmare for the players but a ratings goldmine for the networks.
✨ Don't miss: New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks: What Most People Get Wrong
- Thursday Night Football: Now a permanent fixture on Amazon Prime, often featuring divisional rivalries that leave players complaining about short weeks.
- Saturday Slots: Once the NFL regular season hits December, they swoop in and take over the Saturday afternoon and evening slots previously reserved for college ball.
- The Monday Doubleheaders: ESPN and ABC have been experimenting with overlapping games, which honestly makes it impossible to watch everything without three screens and a lot of caffeine.
Managing expectations for mid-week football
Let's talk about the UFL for a second. While their season typically fires up in the spring—targeting that post-Super Bowl void—there’s been constant chatter about moving some developmental league games into these mid-week winter slots. As of right now, that hasn't happened.
If you're looking for live action tonight, you're mostly looking at the hardwood. The NBA and NCAAB take over Tuesday nights in January. It’s a bit of a dry spell for the gridiron, and honestly, your nervous system might need the break before the playoffs start on Saturday.
What about the "hidden" games?
Technically, there are "games" happening today, they just aren't on TV. The practice squad battles. The "look-team" simulations.
For the teams playing this Saturday, today is "Tuesday Game Plan" day. This is where the backup quarterback mimics the opponent's star player. It's grueling, anonymous work. If you're a die-hard fan, the "game" today is the information war. Check the beat writers. Look for who was wearing a red non-contact jersey at practice. That information is arguably more important for your weekend parlay than a mid-week game would be.
How to track the schedule without losing your mind
If you're tired of searching for what is today's football game only to find out there isn't one, you need a better system. The "Standard Schedule" is a myth in 2026.
🔗 Read more: New Jersey Giants Football Explained: Why Most People Still Get the "Home Team" Wrong
- The League Apps: The NFL app is actually decent now. It syncs with your calendar. Use it.
- Follow the Flex: Remember that the NFL can "flex" games from Sunday to Sunday Night, and sometimes change dates entirely with enough notice.
- The Betting Lines: Even if you don't gamble, sportsbooks are the fastest way to see what's happening. If there’s a line, there’s a game. If the board is empty for football, you’re out of luck.
The January Reality Check
We are in the peak of "Analysis Season." Since there is no game tonight, the media cycle is dominated by the coaching carousel. Black Monday happened yesterday. Coaches were fired. Coordinators are being interviewed.
The "game" today is the front-office chess match. Who is the Chargers' next target? Which veteran quarterback is going to get cut to save cap space? This is the soap opera side of football that keeps the NFL a 365-day-a-year business.
It’s also worth noting that the "Super Wild Card Weekend" format has changed the rhythm of January. Because we now have games on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of the first playoff round, the Tuesday and Wednesday before are the only "quiet" days left. Enjoy the silence while it lasts.
Actionable Steps for the Football Fan Today
Since there isn't a game on your TV tonight, here is how you can actually prepare for the massive weekend ahead:
- Audit your streaming services: The Wild Card games are scattered across NBC/Peacock, ESPN/ABC, Fox, and CBS. Make sure your logins actually work before Saturday afternoon so you aren't scrambling.
- Check the injury reports: Today is the first day teams must provide detailed participation reports for the upcoming playoff games. Look for the "DNP" (Did Not Participate) tags on key offensive linemen—that’s usually where games are won or lost.
- Revisit the National Championship tape: If you’re a fan of a team with a top-10 draft pick, go watch the highlights of last night’s game again. Specifically, look at the edge rushers. This year’s class is deep, and yesterday showed who can handle a double-team.
- Prepare for the Super Bowl hunt: The bracket is set. If you’re planning a party, today is the day to look at the seeding. The road to the Super Bowl in the AFC looks significantly harder than the NFC this year, and that should dictate how you look at the upcoming matchups.
The hunt for what is today's football game might have come up empty for this specific Tuesday, but the postseason chaos starts in less than 96 hours. Grab some wings, rest your eyes, and get ready for the most intense three weeks in American sports.