You’re waking up this Sunday morning, January 18, 2026, probably scrolling through your phone and wondering about the lions game today what channel. You might be checking the usual suspects: FOX, CBS, maybe flipping to NBC to see if they’ve got a primetime slot for Detroit.
I’ll give it to you straight. The Lions aren't playing today.
It’s a bit of a bummer, honestly. Especially after the hype of the last couple of years. But if you’re looking for a kickoff time for Jared Goff and the crew this afternoon, you won’t find one. The Detroit Lions’ 2025-26 season wrapped up a couple of weeks ago.
The Reality of the Lions Game Today What Channel
Detroit finished their regular season on January 4, 2026. They ended on a high note, actually, beating the Chicago Bears 19-16 at Soldier Field. That win felt good, sure, but it wasn't enough to punch a ticket to the postseason.
The NFC North was a meat grinder this year.
Minnesota and Green Bay basically locked things down early. By the time the final whistle blew in Week 18, the Lions were sitting at a 9-8 record. In a lot of years, nine wins gets you a Wild Card spot. In 2026? Not quite. The tie-breakers didn't go their way, and the Vikings’ sweep of the season series essentially ended the Lions' hopes before the calendar even flipped to January.
So, while you might be searching for the lions game today what channel, the actual NFL Divisional Round schedule for today, Sunday, January 18, looks like this instead:
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- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: 3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: 6:30 PM ET on NBC/Peacock
The irony isn't lost on Detroit fans that the Bears—the team the Lions just beat—are the ones playing in the late-night slot today.
Why Detroit Missed the 2026 Postseason
It basically comes down to a few "what if" moments.
Remember that Week 16 loss to the Steelers? Or the heartbreaker against the Vikings on Christmas Day? Those were the games that decided the season. Coach Dan Campbell talked about "re-gaining that swagger" in his post-season presser, and Penei Sewell has been vocal about the offensive line needing to find their identity again.
They weren't "bad." They just weren't elite when it mattered most.
The defense had some bright spots—seven Lions actually finished in Pro Football Focus' top 10 for their respective positions—but the consistency just wasn't there to survive the gauntlet of the NFC.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season Schedule
Since the Lions are done for the year, the focus has already shifted to the 2026 schedule. If you're a season ticket holder or just someone who likes to plan their autumns around Ford Field, the opponents are already set.
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Because the Lions finished fourth in the NFC North, they get a "fourth-place" schedule for next year. That means they'll be facing the Arizona Cardinals, the New York Giants, and the Tennessee Titans.
Here is what the home-and-away slate looks like for the next campaign:
Home Games at Ford Field:
Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, New England, New York Jets, Tennessee, and the New York Giants.
Road Games:
Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Miami, and Arizona.
It's an interesting mix. Traveling to Miami and Arizona sounds a lot better than a cold December night in Buffalo, but the NFL rarely makes things easy.
How to Watch the Rest of the Playoffs
Even if you can't watch Detroit today, the Divisional Round usually provides the best football of the year.
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If you’re trying to stream the games that are on, you’ve got a few options. Since the 3:00 PM game is on ABC/ESPN, you can find it on ESPN+ or any major streaming bundle like YouTube TV or Fubo. For the nightcap between the Rams and Bears, you'll need NBC or a Peacock subscription.
Honestly, watching the Bears play today is probably going to sting for most Lions fans.
But that's the nature of the NFL. One year you're the darling of the league, and the next you're searching for a channel that isn't showing your team.
The best thing to do now is keep an eye on the 2026 NFL Draft and the free agency period. Amon-Ra St. Brown has already said he’s using the "sting" of missing the playoffs as motivation. If the rest of the roster follows suit, we won't be having this "where is the game" conversation this time next year.
Your Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the NFL Scouting Combine dates in February to see how the Lions might address their secondary. You should also check the official Detroit Lions mobile app for any early announcements regarding 2026 season ticket renewals or draft party events at Ford Field.