If you were looking for a relaxing weekend of football, you probably shouldn't have checked the nfl scores for today game. This past Wild Card stretch was absolute, unadulterated madness. We’re talking about a record-shattering 12 lead changes in the fourth quarter across the opening round. Honestly, my heart is still recovering from that Rams-Panthers finish.
If you're just catching up this Thursday, January 15, 2026, here is the deal. There are actually no NFL games scheduled for today. We are currently in the "eye of the storm"—that weird, anxious midweek lull between the Wild Card dust settling and the Divisional Round kicking off this coming Saturday.
Basically, the league is catching its breath. You’ve got the heavyweights like the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks sitting at home, resting their legs after earning those first-round byes, while the rest of the field prepares for what looks like an icy Divisional weekend.
Wild Card Results: The Scores That Shook the Bracket
To understand where we’re going, you’ve gotta look at how we got here. The Wild Card round wasn't just close; it was historically volatile.
The San Francisco 49ers pulled off what many are calling a "12-round fight" against the Philadelphia Eagles. Jauan Jennings—yeah, you read that right—basically turned into a franchise quarterback for a day. He threw a trick-play touchdown to Christian McCaffrey and finished with a perfect 158.3 passer rating. The Niners walked away with a 23-19 win, but it cost them George Kittle, who is reportedly out for the rest of the playoffs. That’s a massive blow for Brock Purdy's arsenal as they head to Seattle.
Then you have the Chicago Bears. Caleb Williams proved the hype is real, leading a 25-point fourth-quarter explosion to beat the Packers 31-27. It was the seventh time this season the Bears won after trailing in the final two minutes. That's not just luck; that's a pattern.
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AFC Breakdown: Blowouts and Squeakers
Over in the AFC, things were a bit more polarized. The Houston Texans absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6. Houston’s defense scored two touchdowns on their own. If you’re a Steelers fan, you’re probably still wondering where the offense went.
Meanwhile, Josh Allen did Josh Allen things. The Bills edged out the Jaguars 27-24 in a game that saw four lead changes in the final fifteen minutes. Allen’s 1-yard plunge with just over a minute left was the dagger.
The Patriots also took care of business, though it wasn't pretty. They stifled the Chargers 16-3. Drake Maye looked composed, but the story was the New England defense, which didn't allow a single touchdown. That sets up a fascinating matchup against a Houston team that also kept their opponent out of the end zone.
Looking Ahead: The Divisional Round Schedule
Since there’s no nfl scores for today game to report live, all eyes are on Saturday and Sunday. The matchups are set, the lines are moving, and the injury reports are starting to look like novels.
Saturday, January 17
The action starts in Denver. The Buffalo Bills (12-5) travel to Empower Field to face the top-seeded Broncos (14-3) at 4:30 p.m. ET. Denver has been a defensive juggernaut this year, ranking second in the league in yards allowed. But can they stop a Buffalo offense that’s averaging 28.3 points per game?
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Later that night, the NFC West rivalry takes center stage. The 49ers head to Lumen Field to face the Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET. Seattle is favored by 7.5 points, mostly because the Niners are banged up and playing in one of the loudest environments in sports.
Sunday, January 18
Sunday starts with the Texans heading to Foxborough to face the Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET. This is a "defense-first" purist's dream. Both teams are coming off games where they didn't allow a touchdown. Expect a low-scoring, physical grind.
The weekend wraps up at Soldier Field. The Los Angeles Rams face the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET. Matthew Stafford vs. Caleb Williams in the freezing Chicago wind? Sign me up. The weather report is already calling for "inclement conditions," which usually favors the team that can run the ball and avoid turnovers.
Injury News You Actually Care About
The "DNP" (Did Not Participate) list is pretty long today. If you're looking at the nfl scores for today game and wondering why the odds are shifting, look no further than the training room.
In Buffalo, Maxwell Hairston and Jordan Poyer are already ruled out for Saturday. That’s a lot of experience missing from the secondary against a Broncos team that likes to take deep shots.
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San Francisco is in even worse shape. Along with losing Kittle, they’ll be without Fred Warner (ankle) and Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring). Trying to beat the Seahawks without your defensive captain in Fred Warner is like trying to win a shootout with a butter knife.
Seattle has some concerns of their own, notably QB Sam Darnold, who is listed as questionable with an oblique injury. If Darnold can’t go, the entire complexion of the NFC bracket changes instantly.
Why the "Today" Scores Matter for the Super Bowl
Even though the scoreboard is dark today, the implications of last weekend’s results are massive. We are seeing a shift in the "Seventh Seed" narrative. Before this year, the 7-seeds were 1-11 since the expansion. This year? They still struggled, with both the Packers and Chargers falling.
It seems the gap between the elite 2-seeds and the "just-made-it" teams is wider than ever. However, the 5-seeds (Rams and Texans) both moved on, proving that the middle of the pack is where the real danger lies.
If you're betting on the Super Bowl LX winner, the smart money is still hovering around Denver and Seattle, but Houston is the dark horse everyone is terrified of right now.
Actionable Insights for Your Weekend
If you're planning your weekend around the NFL, here’s how to prep:
- Watch the Weather: Chicago and Denver are both expecting cold snaps. This usually lowers the "Total Points" over/under. If you're looking at betting lines, the "Under" might be your friend this weekend.
- Monitor Sam Darnold: Check the Friday afternoon practice reports. If he moves from "Limited" to "Full," Seattle’s 7.5-point spread will likely jump to 8.5 or 9.
- The "Head West" Factor: Broncos coach Sean Payton has been using the "Head West" mantra all year, aiming for the Super Bowl in Santa Clara. Their motivation is sky-high, and they are playing with a week of fresh legs.
- DraftKings/FanDuel Pivot: With Kittle out, look for Christian McCaffrey to get even more targets in the passing game. His "Receiving Yards" prop might be undervalued right now.
The road to Super Bowl LX is getting narrow. While we don't have live nfl scores for today game, the stage is set for a Divisional Round that could potentially top the Wild Card's record-breaking drama. Get your snacks ready for Saturday; it's going to be a long night.