If you just sat down on your couch, cracked a drink, and started frantically scrolling through your guide wondering what channels are the nfl football games on today, I have some news that might sting a little.
There are no NFL games today, Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
I know, I know. After that wild Monday Night Football clash where the Houston Texans just absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6, the withdrawal hits hard. We’ve been spoiled with three straight days of playoff intensity, but Tuesday is the league's designated "deep breath" day.
Basically, the players are icing their bruises, and the coaches are buried in film rooms preparing for the Divisional Round. While the TV schedule is empty of live action right now, the bracket is finally set, and we know exactly where you need to point your remote come Saturday.
The Divisional Round: Where to Watch This Weekend
Since today is a wash for live snaps, let's look at the "second season" starting in just a few days. The Wild Card dust has settled. We saw Caleb Williams and Josh Allen pull off some late-game magic, and now the stakes get significantly higher.
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If you're planning your weekend around the TV, here is the literal roadmap for the Divisional Round. No guessing games.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: CBS / Paramount+
- The Vibe: Denver's high altitude and a Buffalo team that looks scary right now. This is the "afternoon delight" slot.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Channel: FOX / FOX One
- The Vibe: An NFC West grudge match in primetime. Honestly, expect noise levels that'll make your TV speakers rattle.
Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
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- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN / ABC / ESPN+
- The Vibe: Can the Texans' defense keep up that terrifying momentum against Drake Maye and the Pats?
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: NBC / Peacock
- The Vibe: Matthew Stafford vs. Caleb Williams at Soldier Field. It’s going to be cold, it’s going to be loud, and it's the final ticket to the Conference Championships.
Why isn't there a "Tuesday Night Football"?
It’s a fair question. The NFL has experimented with Wednesday games and Friday games, and we obviously have the Monday night staple. But Tuesday is sacred for recovery.
Logistically, short weeks are a nightmare for player safety. The NFL only pivots to Tuesdays or Wednesdays in absolute emergencies—think extreme weather or the massive scheduling shifts we saw during the 2020-2021 seasons.
In a standard playoff bracket, the "Monday Night Wild Card" game (which we just watched) is already a short turnaround for the winner. Asking a team to play on a Tuesday and then suit up again for a Divisional game on Saturday or Sunday would be a competitive death sentence.
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What’s on the "NFL Channels" today instead?
Even without a live game, NFL Network and ESPN aren't just showing static. If you're looking for your fix today, Tuesday is actually the best day for "The Insiders" and deep-dive analysis.
- NFL Network: Expect 24/7 re-runs of the Wild Card highlights. They usually run "NFL Replay" versions of the best games, condensed into an hour.
- ESPN: NFL Live at 4:00 p.m. ET is usually where the real X’s and O’s talk happens. They'll be breaking down how Houston’s defense confused Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers yesterday.
- HBO/Max: Interestingly, tonight is the season finale of Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East at 9:00 p.m. ET. If you want a behind-the-scenes look at the drama that led up to this point, that’s your best bet for "new" football content today.
Streaming vs. Cable: Don't get caught lagging
If you’re one of the millions who ditched cable, you’ve probably noticed the NFL is getting... complicated. You can't just have one app anymore. It’s a bit of a headache, honestly.
To watch the games this coming weekend, you’re going to need a mix. Paramount+ gets you the CBS games. Peacock is mandatory for the NBC Sunday night cap. ESPN+ covers the Monday/Sunday ABC simulcasts.
If you want one-stop shopping, a live TV streamer like Fubo or YouTube TV is the only way to get the local FOX and CBS affiliates plus the cable-only channels like ESPN and NFL Network in one interface. Just make sure your internet can handle the 4K streams; nobody wants a buffering circle during a game-winning drive.
Practical Steps for Your Playoff Week
Since you can't watch a game today, do yourself a favor and get the logistics out of the way so you don't miss kickoff on Saturday.
- Update your apps: If you haven't opened Peacock or Paramount+ since the regular season, update them now. There is nothing worse than a forced 500MB update at 4:29 p.m.
- Check the local listings: If you use an antenna (the "OG" way to watch for free), do a channel scan today. Weather changes can sometimes mess with your signal strength for FOX or CBS.
- Set your DVR: If you’re busy Saturday afternoon, set the recording for the Bills-Broncos game now.
The road to Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium is narrowing. We’re down to the final eight teams. Enjoy the quiet of Tuesday, because come Saturday, the madness starts all over again.