If you’re sitting on your couch right now with a bowl of wings ready for some NFL games today, I’ve got some bad news. It’s Thursday, January 15, 2026, and the TV schedule is looking pretty empty. No Prime Video stream is starting up. No Al Michaels voice is filling the room.
The NFL is weirdly quiet today.
Basically, the "Thursday Night Football" tradition we've gotten used to during the regular season doesn't exist once the playoffs hit the Divisional Round. We’re in that awkward mid-week lull where the Wild Card chaos has settled, but the high-stakes Divisional matchups are still 48 hours away. Honestly, it’s a bit of a letdown when you're used to that Thursday night fix, but that's how the postseason bracket works.
The Reality of NFL Games Today and This Weekend
There are no professional football games scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 15. The league gives the remaining eight teams a full week to breathe—or in the case of the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans, a few extra days to recover from their Wild Card wins.
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The real action doesn't restart until Saturday. We have a massive doubleheader coming up that effectively replaces our usual Thursday and Friday cravings. If you were looking for nfl games today, you’ll have to settle for rewatching highlights of Drake Maye’s playoff debut or Sam Darnold’s regular-season resurgence.
Saturday, Jan. 17: The Divisional Round Kickoff
The wait ends Saturday afternoon. The Denver Broncos, the AFC’s top seed, are finally coming off their bye week. They’ll be hosting the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field at Mile High.
- Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
- TV: CBS / Paramount+
Josh Allen and the Bills are coming in hot after taking down the Jaguars, but playing in the thin air of Denver against a rested Sean Payton squad is a different beast entirely.
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Then, the nightcap. It’s a classic NFC West grudge match. The San Francisco 49ers travel to Seattle to take on the No. 1 seed Seahawks.
- Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
- TV: FOX
There’s already drama building for this one. Sam Darnold, who has been a revelation for Seattle this year, popped up on the injury report today with an oblique issue. He told reporters it's a "very low percentage" chance he misses the game, but in the playoffs, "low percentage" still makes fans nervous.
Sunday’s Slate: Who Is Moving On?
Once Saturday clears the air, Sunday, Jan. 18, brings the remaining two slots for the Conference Championships.
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The early game features the Houston Texans visiting the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN. It's a fascinating matchup because Houston just absolutely dismantled the Steelers, but New England’s defense under Jerod Mayo has been playing at a level that reminds people of the old dynasty days.
The weekend wraps up at Soldier Field. The Los Angeles Rams face the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC. If you like "old school" football, this is the one. It’s expected to be frigid in Chicago—single digits, maybe—which is a nightmare for a Rams team coming from the West Coast.
What to Do Instead of Watching Football Today
Since there aren't any nfl games today, you've got to find something else to fill the void. If you’re a multi-sport fan, the NBA is picking up the slack tonight. The Boston Celtics are playing the Miami Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET. It's a heavy-hitter matchup in the East, though both teams are dealing with some nagging injuries (Tatum's Achilles and Herro's toe).
You could also use this time to fix your fantasy playoff lineups or check the updated Super Bowl odds. Currently, the Seahawks and Rams are the betting favorites, which says a lot about the power dynamic in the NFC West right now.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the Weather: If you're betting on the Rams vs. Bears game, keep an eye on the Chicago wind chill. It’s going to affect the passing game significantly.
- Set Your DVR: Since the Saturday games are on CBS and FOX, make sure your local listings haven't shifted.
- Monitor Sam Darnold: If that oblique injury lingers, the Seahawks’ status as Super Bowl favorites (+280) could take a massive hit before kickoff.
The Thursday night drought is temporary. The most intense weekend of the year is just around the corner.