You’ve got the wings ready. The couch is staked out. You’re checking the clock, wondering what time nfl games today actually start.
Here is the cold, hard truth: there is no NFL game today, Thursday, January 15, 2026.
It feels wrong, doesn't it? We’ve spent months conditioned to expect Thursday Night Football to anchor our week. But as the calendar flips deep into January, the NFL schedule shifts its weight. We are currently in the eerie, quiet eye of the postseason storm. Wild Card weekend is in the rearview mirror, and the Divisional Round is just over the horizon.
The Thursday Night Void Explained
Most fans are searching for the time nfl games today because they’re used to the Amazon Prime routine. However, the NFL wraps up its Thursday night slate at the end of the regular season. Once the playoffs hit, the league consolidates its power into massive weekend doubleheaders.
Honestly, it’s probably for the best. The teams remaining—the heavy hitters like the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks—need every second of recovery time they can get.
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We just watched a Wild Card round that saw the Houston Texans absolutely dismantle the Steelers 30-6 on Monday night. Because that game pushed into the start of the week, playing today would be physically impossible for Houston. The league prioritizes "player safety" (and, let's be real, maximum TV ratings) by keeping the upcoming Divisional games on Saturday and Sunday.
Looking Ahead: The Divisional Round Schedule
Since you won't find a kickoff tonight, you need to set your sights on Saturday, January 17. That is when the real chaos resumes. We have four games over two days that will essentially decide who has a legitimate path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
The action starts in the thin air of Colorado. The Buffalo Bills travel to Mile High to face the top-seeded Denver Broncos.
- Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
- TV: CBS / Paramount+
Once that wrap's up, we move to the Pacific Northwest. It’s a classic NFC West grudge match. The San Francisco 49ers are heading into the "Clink" to take on the Seattle Seahawks.
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- Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
- TV: FOX / FOX One
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Sunday brings the blue-blood matchups. C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are riding high after their first road playoff win in franchise history, but they have to face the New England Patriots in Foxborough.
- Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN / ABC
Finally, the weekend closes out in the Windy City. The Los Angeles Rams—who barely escaped Carolina with a 3-point win—face a Chicago Bears team that hasn't hosted a divisional game in fifteen years.
- Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC / Peacock
Why the "Time NFL Games Today" Search Tricky
The confusion often stems from the fact that the NFL news cycle never actually stops. While there’s no game on the field today, the "off-field" game is peak insanity.
Today, January 15, is a massive day for coaching rumors. We’re seeing reports of Mike Tomlin officially resigning in Pittsburgh after that Texans loss. There’s chatter about John Harbaugh potentially landing a $100 million deal with the Giants. If you’re looking for football content today, it’s all in the "Coaching Carousel" rather than the end zone.
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Also, keep in mind that "today" in the NFL world often refers to the current round of the playoffs. If you see a headline about games "today," double-check the date. In the postseason, the NFL owns the weekend, not the weeknights.
Preparing for the Weekend
If you were hoping to watch a game tonight, use this gap to fix your setup. The Divisional Round is spread across four different networks: CBS, FOX, ABC/ESPN, and NBC.
Basically, you need a mix of cable and streaming to catch everything. If you're a cord-cutter, make sure your Paramount+ and Peacock subscriptions are active, as they’ll be carrying the Saturday afternoon and Sunday night games, respectively.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Sync your calendars: Adjust your notifications for 4:30 p.m. ET this Saturday.
- Check the injury reports: Keep a close eye on the 49ers' roster; they are playing on significantly less rest than the Seahawks, who enjoyed a bye week.
- Update your apps: Ensure your FOX Sports and ESPN apps are updated to avoid the "mandatory update" lag right at kickoff.