You're probably waking up today with a bit of a football hangover. Yesterday was a massive double-header for the NFL Divisional Round, and honestly, the intensity of those playoff matchups is enough to make anyone lose track of the calendar. If you're looking for the short answer: there are actually no NFL games tomorrow, Monday, January 19, 2026.
I know, it feels weird. We've spent months conditioned to expect Monday Night Football, but the postseason operates by its own set of rules. Tomorrow belongs entirely to the college ranks. Instead of the pros, we’re getting the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes.
If you were hoping to find out what channel are the nfl games on tomorrow, the reality is that the league has cleared the deck. They don't want to compete with the biggest game in college sports. But don’t worry, the road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is still very much alive, and we’ve got plenty of pro football coming down the pike.
Why the NFL Schedule Shifts Tomorrow
Usually, Monday night is sacred for NFL fans. This year, however, the Divisional Round was packed into Saturday and Sunday. We saw the Bills take on the Broncos and the 49ers battle the Seahawks on Saturday. Today, Sunday the 18th, we have the Texans vs. Patriots and the Rams vs. Bears.
✨ Don't miss: Why Cumberland Valley Boys Basketball Dominates the Mid-Penn (and What’s Next)
Once those Sunday lights go down at Soldier Field, the NFL takes a breather.
Basically, the league avoids Monday of the Divisional Round to give the advancing teams a fair amount of rest before the Conference Championships. If a team played tomorrow night, they’d be on a "short week" heading into the most important game of their lives next Sunday. Nobody wants a Super Bowl berth decided because one team was too exhausted to hit their gaps.
What to Watch Instead: The National Championship
Since there are no NFL games, your football fix is going to come from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
🔗 Read more: What Channel is Champions League on: Where to Watch Every Game in 2026
- Game: #1 Indiana vs. #10 Miami
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+ and the ESPN App
It’s kind of a surreal matchup. Indiana making a run for the title? Miami back in the spotlight? It’s a huge night for fans of the "U" and a historic one for the Hoosiers. If you're an NFL scout—or just a fan of the draft—this is basically a three-hour audition for the league. You’ll see plenty of these guys playing on Sundays next September.
When Does the NFL Come Back?
If you're specifically asking about what channel are the nfl games on tomorrow because you’re planning your week, you’ll need to look toward next Sunday, January 25. That is the day of the Conference Championships. This is where the men get separated from the boys, and the Super Bowl tickets actually get punched.
AFC Championship Game
- Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+
NFC Championship Game
- Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Channel: FOX
- Streaming: FOX Sports App / Tubi (select regions)
The winners of today's games—the Texans/Patriots winner and the Rams/Bears winner—will be moving on to face the heavy hitters who survived Saturday. It's a brutal gauntlet. By the time we get to next Sunday, the narratives will be at a fever pitch.
💡 You might also like: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
The Streaming Maze of 2026
Watching football isn't as simple as it used to be. You've probably noticed that games are scattered across a dozen different apps. For the games that just wrapped up, Peacock and Paramount+ were essential.
If you’re trying to catch the National Championship tomorrow, you’ll need an ESPN subscription or a cable login. For the big NFL games next weekend, make sure your Paramount+ and FOX Sports apps are updated and logged in. There is nothing worse than missing a kickoff because your app decided it needed a 400MB update right at 3:00 PM.
Honestly, the "broadcast" world is kinda messy right now. Between the NFL+ app, YouTube TV, and various streaming exclusives, being a fan requires a spreadsheet. But for tomorrow, it's simple: turn on ESPN and watch the college kids go at it.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since the NFL is dark tomorrow, here is how you should handle your football schedule for the rest of the week:
- Set your DVR for ESPN at 7:30 PM tomorrow. Even if you aren't a big college fan, the Indiana vs. Miami game is the only high-level football you're getting until next Sunday.
- Verify your streaming logins today. If you plan on watching the AFC Championship on Paramount+ next week, check your subscription status now.
- Check the injury reports on Tuesday. This is when we’ll find out the "true" status of the stars who got banged up during the Divisional Round.
- Clear your calendar for January 25. The Conference Championships are arguably better than the Super Bowl because it's back-to-back high-stakes drama without the 30-minute halftime shows.
While the answer to what channel are the nfl games on tomorrow is "none," the season is far from over. Take the Monday off, enjoy the college championship, and get ready for the final sprint to Super Bowl LX.