Look, I get it. You're sitting there on a Friday in the middle of January, the house is probably cold, and you’re itching for some playoff football. You want to see if the pads are popping or if there's a game to bet on while you decompress from the work week.
But honestly? If you’re asking is there an nfl football game on today, Friday, January 16, 2026, the answer is a flat no.
The NFL is a lot of things—profitable, loud, slightly chaotic—but it’s also very predictable when it comes to the postseason schedule. Fridays are the "ghost days" of the playoffs. It’s that weird, quiet bridge between the wild energy of Wild Card weekend and the high-stakes drama of the Divisional Round.
Is There an NFL Football Game on Today? The Postseason "Blackout"
While the regular season loves to flirt with Friday games—we saw that Black Friday matchup in Week 13 back in November—the playoffs are a different beast. The league treats Friday as a pure travel and media day.
Right now, the remaining eight teams are basically in lockdown mode. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, who earned those coveted first-round byes, have been sitting at home watching the chaos, and they're finally about to get their hands dirty tomorrow.
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If you were hoping for a game today, you're out of luck. However, the wait is incredibly short. The Divisional Round schedule is already locked in, and it kicks off less than 24 hours from now.
What the Schedule Looks Like This Weekend
Since there isn't a game on the slate for today, your best bet is to prep for the absolute gauntlet that starts Saturday. Here is the breakdown of what's actually happening and when you need to be on your couch.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This one starts at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Denver’s defense has been a nightmare for visitors at Empower Field at Mile High all season, but the Bills are coming off a gritty win over the Jaguars.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: This is the nightcap at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. It’s a classic NFC West rivalry game. Seattle is the top seed, but the 49ers just scraped past the Eagles and have that "team of destiny" vibe going.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
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- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: Kicking off at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN. The Texans absolutely dismantled the Steelers last Monday, and now they have to face a rested Patriots squad in Foxborough.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: Closing out the weekend at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC. It’s going to be freezing at Soldier Field. Single digits, most likely.
Why the NFL Skips Friday Games in January
You might wonder why they don't just spread the joy. Why not put a game on Friday night and own the entire weekend?
Television revenue is the short answer. Saturday and Sunday are the gold mines for viewership. Putting a playoff game on a Friday night means competing with people’s dinner plans, late shifts, and high school or college sports schedules that still linger in some regions.
Also, player recovery is a massive factor. Look at the Houston Texans. They played on Monday night. If the NFL forced a game today, Houston would only have three days of rest before a Divisional playoff game. That’s a recipe for bad football and even worse injuries. By waiting until Sunday, the league gives them a fair shake at a real recovery cycle.
The Teams Currently Waiting in the Wings
If you're looking for something to talk about today while you wait for the games, focus on the "rest vs. rust" debate. It's the biggest storyline every year during the Divisional Round.
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The Denver Broncos (14-3) and Seattle Seahawks (14-3) haven't played a meaningful snap in nearly two weeks. Historically, this is a double-edged sword. You get your starters healthy—like getting key players off the injury report—but you also lose that "game speed" rhythm.
Meanwhile, teams like the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills are coming in hot. They've already survived the "win or go home" pressure. They’re battle-tested. Tomorrow we see if the extra week of sleep helped the top seeds or just made them sluggish.
How to Watch and Stream
Since you have a free night tonight, make sure your apps are updated. Everything has moved to streaming, and nothing is more annoying than a "forced update" five minutes before kickoff.
- Paramount+: You'll need this for the Bills/Broncos game on CBS.
- FOX Sports App/FOX One: Essential for the 49ers/Seahawks clash.
- Peacock: This is the home for the Rams/Bears game on Sunday night.
- ESPN+: Use this for the Texans/Patriots game if you don't have cable.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there's no game tonight, use this time to get your logistics in order so you don't miss a second of the action tomorrow.
- Check the weather for Chicago: If you're a betting person, keep an eye on the wind speeds at Soldier Field for Sunday. Low-scoring games are common when the lake effect wind starts howling.
- Verify your streaming logins: If you share accounts or haven't used Peacock since the regular season, log in now.
- Set your fantasy or prop alerts: With several key players like Jauan Jennings (49ers) and Joshua Palmer (Bills) being focal points this weekend, keep an eye on late-breaking injury news that usually drops Friday evening.
- Plan the menu: Saturday’s doubleheader is basically a six-hour commitment. Get the groceries today so you aren't fighting the crowds at the store when the Broncos and Bills are kicking off.
The wait is almost over. Friday might be empty, but the next 48 hours are going to be some of the best football of the year.