If you’re refreshing your phone looking for nfl scores today playoffs results for Friday, January 16, 2026, here is the quick reality check: there aren't any games tonight. The NFL usually leaves Fridays for travel and final walkthroughs, and this week is no different. We are currently in the eye of the storm. The Wild Card round just finished up in a flurry of chaos, and the Divisional Round is scheduled to kick off tomorrow.
Honestly, the "rest day" is probably needed. Last weekend was absolutely exhausting for fans. We saw 12 fourth-quarter lead changes, which is an NFL postseason record. If you missed the scores from the opening round, you missed some of the tightest football played in years.
Wild Card Weekend: The Scores That Set the Stage
The Wild Card round was defined by narrow escapes and one or two complete defensive clinics. The Buffalo Bills managed to outlast the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24, thanks to a vintage Josh Allen scramble in the final minute. People were writing Buffalo off after a rocky middle of the season, but they looked like a different beast under the playoff lights.
Then you had the San Francisco 49ers. They went into Philadelphia and basically snatched the soul out of the Eagles in a 23-19 win. Brock Purdy had a rough start with two picks, but Jauan Jennings throwing a trick-play touchdown to Christian McCaffrey? That’s the kind of stuff that breaks a defense.
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The most lopsided scores came from the AFC's defensive juggernauts. The New England Patriots absolutely suffocated the Los Angeles Chargers, winning 16-3. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defense looked like a brick wall, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6. Houston actually scored two defensive touchdowns in that game.
Here is how the Wild Card final scores shook out:
- Buffalo Bills 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 24
- San Francisco 49ers 23, Philadelphia Eagles 19
- Chicago Bears 31, Green Bay Packers 27
- Los Angeles Rams 34, Carolina Panthers 31
- New England Patriots 16, Los Angeles Chargers 3
- Houston Texans 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 6
Why Tomorrow’s Schedule Is Much Tougher
Since there are no nfl scores today playoffs to report for Friday, all eyes shift to Saturday, January 17. The Divisional Round is where the "heavy hitters" come off their bye weeks. The Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks have been sitting at home, watching the carnage from the couch.
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Denver is the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the first time since 2016. They host the Bills tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. ET. It’s a rematch of a regular-season game where Bo Nix actually held his own, but doing it in the playoffs against a surging Josh Allen is a different story.
Over in the NFC, Seattle is the top dog. They have to face the 49ers for the third time this season. Division rivals playing for a trip to the NFC Championship is always ugly. The Seahawks won the last meeting 13-3, but the 49ers are riding a high after that Philly win.
Saturday, Jan. 17 Schedule
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+)
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 p.m. ET, FOX)
Sunday, Jan. 18 Schedule
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)
The Storylines You Should Actually Care About
People keep talking about the quarterbacks, and sure, that's important. But look at the Houston-New England matchup. You have two of the most disciplined defenses in the league going head-to-head. Drake Maye looked surprisingly poised in his first playoff start for the Pats, but the Texans' pass rush is a nightmare.
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And don't sleep on the Bears hosting the Rams. Chicago hasn't hosted a divisional game at Soldier Field in 15 years. That stadium is going to be vibrating. The Rams barely squeaked by Carolina, and if Matthew Stafford can't find a rhythm against that Chicago secondary early, it could be a long night for Los Angeles.
Actionable Tips for Following the Divisional Round
If you want to stay ahead of the curve while waiting for the next set of scores, here is what you should do:
- Check the Weather in Denver and Chicago: Forecasts for Saturday in Denver are calling for crisp conditions, but Sunday in Chicago could see some wind that will mess with the Rams' passing attack.
- Monitor Injury Reports: Watch the status of the 49ers' George Kittle and the Seahawks' Sam Darnold. Darnold is questionable with an oblique injury, and if he can't go, that 49ers line moves significantly.
- Stream Options: If you don't have cable, make sure your Paramount+ and Peacock subscriptions are active. Half the games this weekend are behind those specific streaming walls.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is narrowing. We went from 14 teams down to 8, and by Sunday night, we'll be down to the final four. Stay tuned for the Saturday scores; the real drama is just starting.