So, you’re looking for the game. You’ve got the snacks ready, the remote is in hand, and you’re scrolling through the guide looking for NFL Monday Night Football today. There’s just one problem. The screen is blank—or rather, it’s filled with sitcom reruns and local news.
If you’re wondering why there isn't a game on tonight, Thursday, January 15, 2026, here is the short answer: the Monday night window for this week has already closed, and we are currently in the "eye of the storm" between the Wild Card round and the Divisional playoffs.
The NFL schedule is a beast that changes its rhythm once the postseason hits.
The Monday Night Football Recap: What You Missed
Just three days ago, on January 12, we saw the final Monday night game of the 2025-2026 broadcast cycle. It was the AFC Wild Card finale, and honestly, it wasn't the nail-biter many hoped for. The Houston Texans absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 30-6 victory at Acrisure Stadium.
C.J. Stroud looked like a seasoned vet despite some early snap issues. He threw for 250 yards and a touchdown, while the Texans' defense basically lived in the Steelers' backfield. Aaron Rodgers, under center for Pittsburgh in a season that felt like a "last dance" scenario, struggled against a relentless Houston pass rush led by Will Anderson Jr. and Sheldon Rankins.
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The game ended Mike Tomlin’s legendary streak of never losing a Monday night game at home. It was a definitive passing of the torch.
Why There’s No NFL Monday Night Football Today
The league uses Monday nights during the first round of the playoffs (Super Wild Card Weekend) to stretch the TV revenue and give fans a standalone prime-time window. However, once we hit the Divisional Round—which starts this coming Saturday, January 17—the Monday slot disappears.
The NFL prefers to keep the Divisional games on Saturday and Sunday. Why? Because the winners of those games have to play in the Conference Championships the following Sunday. Playing on a Monday would give a team a massive "rest disadvantage" compared to an opponent who played on Saturday.
Basically, the league values competitive balance over one extra night of TV ratings.
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The Divisional Round Schedule (The "Replacement" for Your MNF Fix)
Since you can't watch a game today, you’ll have to wait about 48 hours. Here is how the next round shakes out:
- Saturday, Jan 17 (4:30 PM ET): Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (CBS)
- Saturday, Jan 17 (8:15 PM ET): San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (FOX)
- Sunday, Jan 18 (3:05 PM ET): Houston Texans at New England Patriots (ABC/ESPN)
- Sunday, Jan 18 (6:40 PM ET): Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (NBC)
The Texans, coming off that big Monday night win, actually get the "short week" treatment anyway, traveling to Foxborough to face the No. 2 seed Patriots on Sunday. It’s a brutal turnaround for a road team.
The Future of the Monday Night Franchise
Even though NFL Monday Night Football today isn't happening, the brand is stronger than ever. The broadcast team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, along with Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge, just finished their fourth season together. They’ve brought a level of stability to ESPN that was missing for nearly a decade.
We also saw the ManningCast continue its dominance on ESPN2. Peyton and Eli Manning have turned "watching the game with your buddies" into a high-art form, even if they spend half the time making fun of each other's forehead size.
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There are rumors that the NFL might expand the Monday night playoff inventory in future seasons, but for the 2026 playoffs, the Wild Card round was the finale.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since the Monday night lights are off for now, here is how you should prep for the Divisional surge:
- Check Your Subs: The Divisional round is spread across CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC. If you’re a cord-cutter, make sure your Paramount+, Peacock, and YouTube TV logins are active.
- Monitor the Texans' Injury Report: Keep an eye on the status of the Houston offensive line. They had some communication issues in Pittsburgh that could be fatal in the loud environment of Gillette Stadium.
- Betting Lines: Early money is heavy on the 49ers and Broncos. If you’re looking at the spreads, the "rested" No. 1 seeds (Broncos and Seahawks) are historically dominant in this round.
- Set Your Alerts: Since there is no game tonight, use this time to set calendar alerts for Saturday’s 4:30 PM ET kickoff so you don't miss the start of the Bills-Broncos clash.
The wait is short. The stakes are higher. Monday night may be quiet, but the road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is just getting started.