You’re probably sitting there, remote in hand, wondering what time is monday night football on tonight because, well, it's Monday. Or it feels like it should be. But here is the reality check: if you’re looking for a game today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, you’re actually in that weird, quiet pocket between the chaos of Wild Card Weekend and the heavy-hitting Divisional Round.
The NFL schedule is a bit of a tease this time of year. We just came off a massive Monday night showdown where the Houston Texans absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6. That was the final game of the first round.
Now? We wait.
The Short Answer for Tonight
There is no NFL game tonight. Honestly, it’s a bummer, but the league shifts its rhythm once the playoffs start. We won't see another game until Saturday.
When Does the Action Start Again?
The "Monday Night" itch is real, but the next time you'll need to clear your schedule is Saturday, January 17. The NFL is moving into the Divisional Round, and the matchups are honestly better than anything we saw last week.
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- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This kicks off Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: The nightcap starts at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Think about that 49ers-Seahawks game for a second. It's a massive divisional rivalry in the postseason. Seattle is coming off a bye and they’re wearing those "all-college navy" uniforms that they basically never lose in. Seriously, they’re 10-1 in those things against San Fran.
Why isn't there a Monday game this week?
The NFL likes to front-load the Divisional Round. By playing two games on Saturday and two on Sunday, they ensure the teams moving on to the Conference Championships get a full week of rest.
If they played a game this coming Monday, that winner would be at a massive disadvantage heading into the next Sunday. The league learned its lesson with scheduling short weeks in the postseason. It leads to sloppy football, and nobody wants to see a backup quarterback in the AFC Championship because the starter's knees are still barking from a Monday night hit.
The Monday Night Football Legacy in the Playoffs
It’s easy to get confused because the Wild Card round did have a Monday night game. The Texans and Steelers played at 8:15 p.m. ET on January 12. That was the "Super Wild Card Weekend" finale.
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Usually, the "Monday Night Football" branding is strictly a regular-season thing, but the NFL expanded the playoffs a few years back and realized people will watch football any night of the week. Especially on Mondays.
Looking Ahead to the Next Rounds
If you're already planning your snacks for the rest of the month, here’s how the rest of the 2026 postseason shakes out:
- Divisional Round: Saturday, Jan 17 & Sunday, Jan 18.
- Conference Championships: Sunday, Jan 25.
- Super Bowl LX: Sunday, Feb 8 in Santa Clara.
Where to Watch the Upcoming Games
Since there's no game tonight, you've got time to make sure your streaming apps are actually logged in.
The Saturday games are split between CBS (Paramount+) and FOX. Sunday's games go to ESPN/ABC and NBC (Peacock). If you’re a cord-cutter, make sure you have your logins sorted now. There is nothing worse than missing a kickoff because you’re fighting with a "Forgot Password" screen.
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Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since you're free tonight, use the time to prep for the weekend. Check your fantasy playoff lineups if you’re in one of those degenerate "postseason only" leagues.
Better yet, look into the injury reports for the Broncos and Bills. Josh Allen is playing at an MVP level, but heading into the high altitude of Denver is a different beast entirely.
- Check the Weather: Denver in mid-January is unpredictable. If it’s a snow game, the "over" on points might be a risky bet.
- Update Your Apps: Ensure Paramount+ and Peacock are updated on your smart TV.
- Plan the Menu: Saturday is a double-header. You’re looking at about seven hours of football. Pace yourself.
The wait is almost over. Saturday is coming fast.