If you were looking for live NFL games yesterday, you probably noticed the stadium lights were dark. Honestly, it’s that weird, quiet pocket of the postseason where everyone is just holding their breath. Yesterday, January 15, 2026, was a Thursday. In the NFL world, that means zero games on the field, but a massive amount of drama behind the scenes as we head into the Divisional Round.
The Wild Card smoke has finally cleared. We know who is moving on and who is already booking flights to Cancun. But if you’re asking who won the nfl football games yesterday, the answer isn't found on a scoreboard—it's found in the training rooms and the practice film.
The Playoff Picture After Wild Card Weekend
We just wrapped up one of the most chaotic opening rounds in recent memory. The Texans absolutely dismantled the Steelers 30-6 on Monday night to cap it off. Before that, we saw the Rams squeeze past the Panthers and the Bears take down the Packers in a classic NFC North scrap.
Basically, the "win or go home" reality has already claimed six teams:
- Jacksonville Jaguars (Lost to Buffalo)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Lost to Houston)
- Los Angeles Chargers (Lost to New England)
- Philadelphia Eagles (Lost to San Francisco)
- Carolina Panthers (Lost to LA Rams)
- Green Bay Packers (Lost to Chicago)
It’s brutal. One week you’re a Super Bowl contender, the next you’re watching the news from your couch.
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Why Yesterday’s "Zero Games" Actually Mattered
Even though there wasn't a kickoff, yesterday was arguably the most important day of the week for the Seattle Seahawks. Reports started surfacing Thursday afternoon that Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold exited practice early.
He’s dealing with an oblique injury. For a minute, Seahawks fans were losing their minds. Imagine being the No. 1 seed, having a bye week to get healthy, and then your QB tweaks something two days before the San Francisco 49ers come to town.
Darnold did speak to the media later in the day, saying the chances of him missing the game are "probably closer to zero." Still, that kind of news changes the betting lines and the locker room energy. You've gotta wonder how much that oblique is going to affect his deep ball against a Niners defense that just held Philly to 19 points.
Looking Ahead: The Divisional Round Schedule
Since nobody won or lost yesterday, all eyes are on tomorrow. The NFL has structured this weekend to be a gauntlet. If you’re planning your weekend, here is how the matchups actually look:
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Saturday, January 17
The action starts in Denver. The Buffalo Bills are heading into the thin air to face the No. 1 seed Broncos at 4:30 PM ET. Buffalo is coming off a gritty road win in Jacksonville—their first road playoff win since the early 90s. They have momentum, but Denver has been a juggernaut all season.
Later that night, at 8:00 PM ET, it’s the NFC West showdown: 49ers at Seahawks. These teams know each other too well. San Francisco had to survive a dogfight against the Eagles to get here, while Seattle is coming off their bye.
Sunday, January 18
Sunday starts in Foxborough. The Houston Texans, led by a surging C.J. Stroud, take on the New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET. The Pats finally won a postseason game without Tom Brady last week, breaking a decades-long drought. They look dangerous.
The weekend wraps up with the Rams at Chicago. Kickoff is 6:30 PM ET at Soldier Field. Caleb Williams has been incredibly calm in late-game moments this year, and the Bears are 3-3 when trailing by double digits late—a stat that is honestly kind of terrifying for opposing coordinators.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Bye Week
There’s this common myth that the No. 1 seeds—the Broncos and Seahawks—have a massive advantage because they didn't play last week. While the rest helps, "rust vs. rage" is a real thing.
The Bills and Texans are coming in hot. They have the "playoff speed" already dialed in. Yesterday was the final day for the top seeds to simulate that intensity before things get real. Most experts, like those over at NFL.com, are split. Half think the home-field advantage in Denver and Seattle is insurmountable, while the others think the momentum of the Wild Card winners is too much to stop.
Actionable Insights for Fans This Weekend
If you're tracking the results of who won the nfl football games yesterday to inform your picks or just to stay in the loop, keep these three things in mind for the games tomorrow:
- Watch the Weather in Chicago: Soldier Field in mid-January is no joke. The Rams are a dome-ish team used to California weather; Caleb Williams grew up in the cold. That matters.
- Monitor the Darnold Injury: Even if he plays, an oblique injury affects rotation. If he can't torque his torso, the 49ers' pass rush is going to have a field day.
- The Buffalo Road Factor: The Bills proved they can win on the road last week. Don't assume Denver's altitude is an automatic win for the Broncos.
Keep an eye on the official injury reports coming out later today. That will tell the real story of who is actually ready to play.
Check the final injury designations this afternoon to see if Sam Darnold is upgraded to "Full Participant" before the Saturday night kickoff.