You’re probably sitting there, remote in hand, wondering why your TV guide looks like a desert. Honestly, it’s a bit of a letdown. If you’re searching for the nfl football tonight time, I have some news that might make you want to throw a challenge flag: there is actually no NFL game scheduled for tonight, Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
I know, I know. We’ve become so used to the "NFL every day" vibe during the season that a dark Wednesday feels wrong. But here’s the reality of the post-Wild Card world. The league just wrapped up a chaotic opening round of the playoffs on Monday night, where the Houston Texans absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6. Now, the remaining eight teams are in a deep-freeze "preparation mode."
They aren't playing tonight because they're busy installing game plans for the Divisional Round. We are currently in that weird midweek vacuum where the only "football" happening is in film rooms and on practice fields in cities like Denver, Seattle, and Foxborough.
When does the NFL actually come back?
Basically, you have to wait until the weekend. The NFL is strictly a Saturday-Sunday operation once we hit the Divisional Round. If you were hoping for a Wednesday night miracle, it’s just not in the cards this year.
The action picks back up on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
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Here is the breakdown of what the schedule looks like when the "lights-out" period finally ends:
Saturday, January 17: - Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: Kickoff is at 4:35 p.m. ET. You can catch this one on CBS or stream it via Paramount+. It’s the first time Denver has hosted a playoff game in ten years.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: This kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on FOX. It’s an NFC West slugfest that honestly might be the game of the weekend.
Sunday, January 18:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:05 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN. Watching CJ Stroud go up against that New England defense in Foxborough is going to be something else.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:40 p.m. ET on NBC. Yes, the Bears are the No. 2 seed, and Soldier Field is going to be loud.
Why Wednesday games are so rare
You might be thinking, "Wait, didn't they play on a Wednesday recently?" You're probably remembering the Christmas Day games or that one weird COVID-era game between the Ravens and Steelers. Normally, the NFL avoids Wednesdays like the plague because it destroys the players' recovery cycle.
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Even "Thursday Night Football" is a stretch for most rosters. By Wednesday, guys are usually just getting their bodies back to 80% after a Sunday game. In the playoffs, where every hit is basically a car crash, the league would never risk a short-week Wednesday game unless a holiday forced their hand.
Also, tonight is the deadline for college underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft. So while there’s no nfl football tonight time to track, the front offices are sweating over which 20-year-olds are about to change the league's future.
What happened to the ManningCast?
If you were looking for Eli and Peyton, they’ll be back for the Texans/Patriots game on Sunday. Their Monday night broadcast of the Steelers/Texans blowout was the last ManningCast until the Divisional Round's Sunday slot.
Where to get your fix tonight
Since the gridiron is empty, what do you do? Honestly, most fans are pivoting to the NBA or NHL tonight. There's also the fallout from the James Madison and Virginia Tech game cancellation that happened today—a bit of college football drama to keep things spicy.
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If you really need NFL content, NFL Network is basically running "Rewind" marathons of the Wild Card weekend. You can watch the Rams edge out the Panthers in that 34-31 thriller again if you missed the late-game heroics from Matthew Stafford.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there is no game tonight, use this time to get your setup ready for the weekend. The Divisional Round is arguably the best weekend of the entire year for football fans.
- Check your subscriptions: Ensure your Paramount+ and Peacock logins still work. You’ll need Paramount+ for the Bills/Broncos game and Peacock/NBC for the Rams/Bears finale.
- Update your apps: The NFL+ app is the only way to watch on your phone if you’re away from a TV this weekend.
- Set your alerts: Since kickoff times vary (4:35 p.m. on Saturday is an awkward start for West Coast fans), set a calendar reminder for 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday so you don't miss the opening drive in Denver.
- Monitor the injury reports: Watch for news on the Broncos' defense and the 49ers' backfield. These reports usually solidify on Thursdays and Fridays, which will give you a better idea of which way to lean if you're looking at the betting lines.
The wait is annoying, but the Divisional Round always delivers. See you on Saturday.