If you’re hunting for a Monday Night Football fix, things look a little different this week. It is officially Martin Luther King Jr. Day tomorrow, Monday, January 19, 2026. Usually, when people ask what time are the nfl games on tomorrow, they expect a high-stakes playoff clash or a regular-season finale. But the Divisional Round of the 2025-26 NFL playoffs actually wrapped up its gameplay on Sunday.
Wait. Don’t close the tab yet.
While the NFL is taking a breather on Monday to let the dust settle before the Conference Championships, there is a massive football void being filled. The biggest game in the country—the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship—is basically owning the Monday night slot.
Why there are no NFL games tomorrow
The league typically doesn't schedule games on the Monday of the Divisional Round. It’s kinda their way of keeping the competitive balance fair. If a team played on Monday, January 19, and then had to turn around and play the Conference Championship the following Sunday, they’d be at a massive rest disadvantage.
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The Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos already punched their tickets to the next round on Saturday. Seattle absolutely dismantled the 49ers 41-6, while the Broncos edged out the Bills in a 33-30 overtime thriller. Today (Sunday), the New England Patriots handled the Houston Texans, and the Chicago Bears faced off against the Rams.
Because the bracket is now set for the AFC and NFC Championship games, Monday is a travel and recovery day for the four remaining teams.
What to watch instead of the NFL
If you’re still craving football, you've got the #10 Miami Hurricanes taking on the #1 Indiana Hoosiers. This is the CFP National Championship game. It kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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Honestly, the atmosphere at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami is going to be electric. Indiana is coming off a massive 55-26 win over Oregon, and Miami is riding a seven-game win streak. Even if you're a die-hard NFL fan who doesn't follow the "kids" in college, this is essentially a showcase of the 2026 and 2027 NFL Draft classes.
Understanding the NFL playoff timeline
A lot of fans get confused because the Wild Card round did have a Monday night game last week (Texans vs. Steelers). That was a one-off. Moving forward, the schedule gets much more rigid.
- Conference Championships: Sunday, January 25, 2026.
- The Pro Bowl Games: February 1, 2026.
- Super Bowl LX: Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
So, when you're looking at what time are the nfl games on tomorrow, just remember that the league is clearing the deck for the college title game and the upcoming AFC/NFC title matches next weekend.
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How the NFL is spending Monday
Even though there isn't a kickoff, the NFL is still "active." Tomorrow, the league continues its "Choose Love" campaign. You'll see plenty of social media content and community events focused on Dr. King's legacy. Every team remaining in the playoffs will be wearing "Choose Love" helmet decals, and those messages were painted into the end zones during the Divisional Round games.
It’s also "Black Monday" fallout season. Since the regular season ended a couple of weeks ago, several teams are in the middle of head coach interviews. Tomorrow is actually a huge day for front-office moves. Expect to see news breaking about the next coaches for teams that missed the postseason.
Actionable next steps for fans
Since you won't be watching an NFL game tomorrow, here is how you can prep for the Conference Championships:
- Check the injury reports: Keep a close eye on the status of Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks) and Drake Maye (Patriots) as they prepare for the biggest games of their careers.
- Set your DVR for 7:30 p.m. ET: If you want football, the Miami vs. Indiana game is your only live option.
- Finalize playoff pools: Most fantasy playoff brackets require updates before the Sunday triple-header or double-header next week.
- Watch the waiver wire: If you're in a "survivor" style playoff league, Monday is the day to scout which players from the losing teams (Texans, Rams, 49ers, Bills) are officially out of your lineup options.
The road to Super Bowl LX is narrowing. While Monday might be quiet on the field, the tension for next Sunday’s Championship games is already building.