You're sitting on the couch, the remote is in your hand, and you're wondering is there an nfl football game on tonight? Honestly, it’s a fair question. We’ve all been there. You get used to the rhythm of Thursday Night Football, the Sunday marathon, and the Monday night finale. But today is Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
The short answer? No. There is no NFL game tonight.
We just came off a massive Super Wild Card Weekend. Last night, the Houston Texans absolutely handled the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 30-6 victory at Acrisure Stadium. That was the final curtain for the opening round of the playoffs. Now, the league takes a breath. Tuesday is typically a "dark day" for live broadcasts because teams are traveling, recovering, or, in the case of the Steelers today, cleaning out their lockers.
Why the NFL Avoids Tuesday Nights
Tuesday games are basically the "break glass in case of emergency" option for the league. We saw them during the 2020 and 2021 seasons because of COVID-19 rescheduling, but the NFL hates playing on Tuesdays. It’s a short week nightmare for players.
If a team plays on a Tuesday, they’ve basically got zero chance of being physically ready for a Sunday game five days later. The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) pushes back hard on this. Player safety isn't just a buzzword; it's about recovery time for soft tissue injuries and concussions.
✨ Don't miss: Nebraska Cornhuskers Women's Basketball: What Really Happened This Season
Plus, the TV ratings on Tuesdays just don't compete with the weekend. The league knows you’ll tune in on a Monday night because it’s a tradition. Tuesday? You’re probably watching a Netflix docuseries or catching up on work.
The Playoff Gap
Since the Wild Card round wrapped up yesterday, we are currently in the "Divisional Round" prep week. The remaining eight teams are practicing. The coaches are probably on their fifth cup of coffee, grinding through film of their next opponent.
Here is the thing: the NFL postseason is designed for high-stakes weekend viewing. They want the maximum number of eyeballs on the screen, which means Saturday and Sunday slots.
When is the Next NFL Game?
If you're looking for your football fix, you don't have to wait too long. The Divisional Round kicks off this coming Saturday, January 17, 2026.
🔗 Read more: Nebraska Basketball Women's Schedule: What Actually Matters This Season
- Saturday, Jan 17: The Buffalo Bills head to Denver to take on the Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET. Later that night, the San Francisco 49ers visit the Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The Houston Texans (fresh off that Monday win) travel to face the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET. The weekend closes out with the Los Angeles Rams at the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET.
It’s kind of wild to see the Bears and Lions both making noise this deep into the 2020s, but that’s the parity of the league for you.
What to Watch Tonight Instead
Since you won't find an nfl football game on tonight, you might see some "filler" content if you flip to ESPN or NFL Network. Usually, Tuesday nights are reserved for NFL Total Access or NFL Rewind. They’ll be breaking down how C.J. Stroud carved up the Steelers' secondary last night and looking ahead to the Bills-Broncos matchup.
If you absolutely need live sports, the NBA and NHL are usually in full swing on Tuesday nights. But for the gridiron? You're out of luck until Saturday.
Common Misconceptions About Tuesday Football
A lot of people get confused because of the "Black Friday" games or the occasional Wednesday Christmas game. The NFL has become much more aggressive about "owning" different days of the week. However, Tuesday remains the one day they rarely touch unless a literal natural disaster or a pandemic forces their hand.
💡 You might also like: Missouri vs Alabama Football: What Really Happened at Faurot Field
Some fans also confuse NFL schedules with MACtion (Mid-American Conference college football), which famously plays on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in November. But we are in January now. College ball is mostly finished, except for the National Championship chatter.
Preparing for the Divisional Round
Since there's no game tonight, it’s actually a great time to check your fantasy playoff lineups or look at the early betting lines for the weekend. The Broncos are currently slight favorites over the Bills, which is sparking a lot of debate among analysts.
Denver’s defense has been stifling at home, but Josh Allen is... well, Josh Allen. He has a history of playing hero ball in the Divisional Round.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check your streaming subs: Ensure your Peacock and Paramount+ logins are working, as several playoff games are split across these platforms this year.
- Review the injury reports: These usually drop on Wednesday and Thursday. Keep an eye on the Rams' offensive line health before they head into the cold in Chicago.
- Plan your Saturday: With a 4:30 p.m. kickoff, you’ll want to have the snacks ready by mid-afternoon.
The wait for the weekend might feel long, but it's better than a sloppy, short-week Tuesday game. Use tonight to catch up on sleep—the Divisional Round is going to be intense.