If you’re scrambling around trying to figure out what channel is monday night football on today, you might have hit a bit of a scheduling snag. It's Saturday, January 17, 2026. Usually, Mondays are the sacred ground for the NFL's primetime closer, but we are deep in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
There isn't a game on tonight under the official "Monday Night" brand. Instead, the league has taken over your entire weekend with a double-header that effectively replaces that Monday itch. Honestly, if you're looking for football today, you’re looking for CBS and FOX.
The NFL schedule is a beast during the postseason. Gone are the days of a single Monday night game being the only thing to talk about. This year, the final "Super Wild Card" Monday game already happened—the Houston Texans handled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 back on January 12. Since then, the remaining teams have moved into the Divisional bracket, which is exclusively a Saturday and Sunday affair.
The Actual Schedule for Today, January 17
Forget Monday for a second. Today is all about the heavy hitters. If you want to watch live NFL action right now, here is exactly where to point your remote:
💡 You might also like: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
This one kicks off at 4:30 PM ET. You can find it on CBS. If you’ve cut the cord, you’ll need Paramount+ to stream it. This is a massive matchup—the No. 1 seeded Broncos coming off their bye to host a Bills team that just squeezed past Jacksonville.San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
The night cap starts at 8:00 PM ET on FOX. For streamers, this is a FOX Sports app or Fubo situation. It’s an old-school NFC West grudge match. Seeing the No. 1 seed Seahawks host the Niners in the playoffs is basically as good as it gets for a Saturday night.
It’s easy to get confused because the "Monday Night Football" branding is so strong. You've probably seen commercials for ESPN's coverage all week. But for the Divisional Round, the league shifts the spotlight. There is no Monday game this week or next week. The season is winding down, and the games are consolidating into these massive weekend blocks.
📖 Related: What Really Happened With Nick Chubb: The Injury, The Recovery, and The Houston Twist
Where did the Monday game go?
Essentially, the NFL uses Monday Night Football during the Wild Card round to extend the "weekend" and maximize ratings. That was last week. Once we hit the Divisional Round, they condense it to Saturday and Sunday so that the winners have a full, fair week to prepare for the Conference Championships.
If you were hoping for Joe Buck and Troy Aikman today, you’ll have to wait. Their crew—the actual ESPN/ABC MNF team—is actually slated for tomorrow, Sunday, January 18. They will be calling the Houston Texans at New England Patriots game at 3:00 PM ET. It’s a bit of a "Sunday Edition" of their usual Monday broadcast.
How to watch if you don’t have cable
Since you're likely asking what channel is monday night football on today because you're trying to plan your viewing, here’s the reality for cord-cutters. You don't need a traditional cable box for today's games, but you do need specific apps.
👉 See also: Men's Sophie Cunningham Jersey: Why This Specific Kit is Selling Out Everywhere
- Paramount+: This is the exclusive home for the CBS game (Bills/Broncos).
- Sling TV or Fubo: These are your best bets for FOX (49ers/Seahawks).
- Digital Antenna: If you’re within range of local towers, you can get both CBS and FOX for free. It’s the most reliable "hack" in sports.
Misconceptions about the playoff schedule
A lot of people think the Monday night slot continues through the whole playoffs. It doesn't. After the Wild Card round, Monday night is essentially "retired" for the season. The logic is simple: the NFL doesn't want a team playing a high-stakes Divisional game on Monday and then having to play a Conference Championship the following Sunday on short rest. That's a recipe for bad football and more injuries.
The league is very protective of the "rest parity" between teams. By playing today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday), everyone stays on a relatively even playing field for the next round.
What about the ManningCast?
If you were looking for Peyton and Eli, they usually follow the ESPN/ABC schedule. Since their main crew is covering the Texans-Patriots game tomorrow, that’s when you’ll likely see any alternate broadcast content. Today is a more traditional network broadcast day with the A-teams from CBS and FOX.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check your local listings: Even though these are national games, kickoff times can sometimes shift slightly for pre-game coverage.
- Update your apps: If you're using Paramount+ for the 4:30 PM game, make sure the app is updated now. There’s nothing worse than a forced update at kickoff.
- Sync your social media: Since there is no Monday game, today’s Saturday double-header is where the "spoiler" risk is highest.
- Prep for Tomorrow: Remember that the "Monday Night" crew moves to Sunday this week. Set your DVR for ABC/ESPN at 3:00 PM ET tomorrow if you want to see the Texans try to upset the Patriots.
The NFL post-season is a sprint. While we miss the routine of a Monday night game to close out the work day, these Saturday playoff marathons are usually much higher quality. Grab the snacks, find the CBS and FOX stations, and settle in. The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting very short.