You’re staring at your phone, refreshing the app, and wondering where the hell the score of the nfl games tonight is. I get it. We’ve been spoiled. For the last few months, Thursday, Sunday, and Monday have been locked in, but suddenly the rhythm is off.
Honestly, the short answer is that there isn't a score to find. Not tonight, anyway. Friday, January 16, 2026, is a dark day for the NFL schedule. No pads popping, no "meaningless" fourth-quarter field goals, and no red zone alerts. We are currently sitting in that quiet, slightly anxious gap between the chaos of Wild Card Weekend and the heavy-hitting Divisional Round.
It feels weird, right? Especially with the playoffs in full swing. But the league keeps Friday nights mostly clear of professional football to avoid stepping on the toes of high school games during the season, and even in the postseason, they prefer to pack the action into a massive Saturday-Sunday block.
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When the Real Action Starts: Divisional Round Schedule
Since you’re looking for a score, you’re likely trying to track the road to Super Bowl LX. We just came off a Wild Card round that saw the Los Angeles Rams edge out the Panthers in a 34-31 nail-biter and the Houston Texans absolutely dismantle the Steelers 30-6 on Monday night.
If you want the next batch of scores, you're going to have to wait until tomorrow afternoon. Here is how the Divisional Round is actually laid out:
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- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, Jan 17, at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. The Broncos are the AFC’s top seed, coming off their bye, and they’re currently 1.5-point favorites.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: The nightcap on Saturday (8:00 p.m. ET, FOX). This is a massive NFC West trilogy fight. Seattle took both regular-season games, but doing it three times in a row against Kyle Shanahan? That's a tall order.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: Sunday afternoon (3:00 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN). C.J. Stroud is playing like a man possessed, but Foxborough in January is a different beast entirely.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: Sunday night (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC). The Bears are the No. 2 seed and haven't looked this formidable in years, but the Rams' offense is clicking at the perfect time.
Why the NFL Stays Away from Friday Nights
There’s actually a legal reason why you aren't seeing a score of the nfl games tonight. It’s called the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. Basically, to protect high school and college football attendance, the NFL isn't allowed to broadcast games on Friday nights or Saturdays from mid-September through mid-December.
While that restriction technically lifts by late December and January, the league generally sticks to its Saturday/Sunday playoff formula. It’s about the ratings. They want 30 million people watching the Bills and Broncos tomorrow, and Friday night TV is where shows go to die, not where playoff legends are made.
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What to Watch Instead of the NFL Tonight
If you’re absolutely itching for a scoreboard to track, you’ve got plenty of other options. The NBA and NHL don't have the same "Friday night lights" hangups.
- NBA Action: There’s a full slate tonight. The Timberwolves and Rockets are facing off at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, which should be a high-paced track meet.
- NHL Puck Drop: The Colorado Avalanche are hosting the Nashville Predators at 9:00 p.m. ET. If you like hitting and speed, it's a decent placeholder until the NFL returns tomorrow.
- College Basketball: It’s mid-January, which means conference play is heating up. Check the Big Ten or ACC schedules; there’s almost always a Friday night upset brewing in a half-empty gym somewhere.
Tracking the Score of the NFL Games Tonight (Tomorrow)
When the clock strikes 4:30 p.m. ET tomorrow, the score of the nfl games tonight will finally be a thing again. The Buffalo vs. Denver game is particularly interesting because of the weather. Early reports out of Mile High suggest temperatures in the low 20s.
Josh Allen usually thrives in the "ice bowl" conditions, but the Broncos' defense has been a top-three unit all year. They only give up about 18 points per game. If Buffalo can't crack 20, they’re going home.
The 49ers vs. Seahawks game later that night is the one everyone is talking about. Sam Darnold is dealing with an oblique injury, which makes him "questionable." If he can’t go, or if he’s limited, the Seahawks’ chances of hosting the NFC Championship game take a massive hit.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the Injury Reports: Specifically, keep an eye on Sam Darnold (oblique) and Nico Collins (concussion). Their status will change the betting lines significantly before kickoff tomorrow.
- Sync Your Calendar: Set an alert for 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday. That is the true start of the football weekend.
- Update Your Apps: Make sure your NFL+ or Paramount+ subscriptions are active tonight so you aren't scrambling and missing the first quarter of the Bills game tomorrow.
- Monitor the Weather: If you’re playing Daily Fantasy or betting the over/under, the Denver wind speeds are projected to pick up tomorrow afternoon, which usually hammers the passing game.