If you’re sitting on your couch right now, scrolling through the guide and wondering who plays NFL football Thursday, I’ve got some bad news for you. The remote isn't broken. Your internet isn't down. There just isn't a game.
Honestly, it’s the same story every year once we hit the middle of January, but it still feels like a personal betrayal when you realize the "Thursday Night Football" tradition has officially packed up and gone home for the season. We’re deep into the 2026 postseason now. The Wild Card round is in the rearview mirror, and the Divisional matchups just wrapped up over the weekend.
Basically, the NFL pulls the plug on Thursday games the second the playoffs start. Why? Because short weeks are a nightmare for teams trying to survive the most intense part of the season. When the stakes are "win or go home," nobody wants to play on three days of rest.
Who Plays NFL Football Thursday? (The Short Answer)
Nobody.
Seriously. There are zero NFL games scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026. The league ended its Thursday night slate back in December. If you’re looking for live football right now, you’re basically looking at a ghost town until the Conference Championships kick off this coming Sunday.
Why the schedule looks so empty
The NFL structure is pretty rigid about this. They want the biggest audiences for the biggest games, and that means putting them in the prime weekend slots. We just saw a massive weekend of Divisional action. The Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantled the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 on Saturday night. It was one of those games where you almost felt bad for the Niners by the third quarter. Then you had the Bills and Broncos in a nail-biter that ended 33-30 for Denver.
If they tried to squeeze a game into Thursday night right now, they'd be asking elite athletes to play a high-stakes playoff game with almost zero recovery time. It would be bad for player safety and, frankly, bad for the quality of the product on the field.
What’s Next for the 2026 NFL Playoffs?
Since there’s no NFL football Thursday, all the focus shifts to Championship Sunday. This is the "Final Four" of the NFL. These two games determine who heads to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
Here is what the remaining bracket looks like for Sunday, January 25:
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- AFC Championship Game: The Houston Texans will travel to face the Denver Broncos. Kickoff is set for 3:00 PM ET on CBS.
- NFC Championship Game: The Los Angeles Rams are heading to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Seahawks. This one starts at 6:30 PM ET on FOX.
It’s kinda wild to see the Texans in this spot. Most people didn't have them as a top-two AFC team at the start of the year, but they’ve been surgical through the first two rounds of the postseason. On the NFC side, seeing the Rams and Seahawks face off for a trip to the Super Bowl is a dream for West Coast fans. It’s going to be loud.
The Super Bowl LX Countdown
If you're already planning your wings and dip, the Super Bowl is set for Sunday, February 8, 2026. NBC has the broadcast this year, so expect a lot of peacock-themed promos.
Where Did Thursday Night Football Go?
If you're feeling a bit of withdrawal, you aren't alone. Amazon Prime Video has the exclusive rights to the regular-season Thursday night package, and they usually run through Week 17. Once the calendar flips to January and the postseason begins, that contract ends for the year.
Usually, the last time we see a Thursday game is right around the holidays. This past season, the Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 20-13 on a special Christmas Day Thursday broadcast. Since then, it’s been strictly Saturday, Sunday, and the occasional Monday night game during the Wild Card round.
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How to Get Your Football Fix Tonight
If you really need a fix and the lack of NFL football Thursday is killing you, your best bet is to dive into the re-airs or the "All-22" coaching film on NFL+.
Honestly, watching the Seahawks' defensive performance from last Saturday is worth a second look. Ernest Jones IV was playing like a man possessed—forced fumbles, interceptions, and just general chaos for the 49ers' offense.
If you're into college ball, keep an eye on the scouting reports. The Senior Bowl is coming up soon in Mobile, Alabama (January 31), and the East-West Shrine Bowl follows right after. That's where you'll see the next generation of stars before the 2026 NFL Draft.
Actionable Steps for the Rest of the Week
Since the lights are off tonight, use this time to get ready for the big games on Sunday.
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- Check your local listings for Championship Sunday. The AFC game is early (3:00 PM ET), and the NFC game is the nightcap (6:30 PM ET). Make sure you have the right apps or cable logins ready.
- Monitor the injury reports. Keep a close eye on the Seahawks' injury wire. Several key defensive starters were banged up in the win over San Francisco. Their health will be the deciding factor against a high-powered Rams offense.
- Lock in your Super Bowl plans. Prices for Levi's Stadium tickets and hotels in the Bay Area are already skyrocketing. If you’re planning to go, you probably should have booked yesterday.
The wait for Sunday might feel long, but it’s better than watching a sloppy, short-rest game tonight. Use this "off" Thursday to recharge, because the next three games of the season are going to be absolute wars.