If you woke up today looking for a live ticker of nfl today final scores, you might’ve noticed something a bit quiet on the TV guide. It’s Thursday, January 15, 2026. We are currently in that weird, high-anxiety limbo between the absolute chaos of Super Wild Card Weekend and the upcoming Divisional Round.
There aren't actually any games happening this second. But honestly? The "scores" from the last few days have completely flipped the Super Bowl LXI conversation on its head.
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We just watched a weekend where the road teams didn't just show up—they practically staged a coup. If you missed the Monday night finale or the Sunday afternoon heart-stoppers, you missed the most fourth-quarter lead changes in a single playoff weekend in league history. Twelve. That’s a real number. Twelve times the lead swapped hands in the final fifteen minutes across six games.
Why the Wild Card Scores Still Matter Today
It’s easy to look at a final score and think you know the story. You don't. Take the 49ers beating the Eagles 23-19. If you just see that number, you see a close win. You don’t see Jauan Jennings—a wide receiver—tossing a 29-yard touchdown to Christian McCaffrey on a trick play that basically broke the internet.
Then you have the Houston Texans. They didn't just beat the Steelers; they dismantled them 30-6. That score is significant because it marked only the second time in history a team scored multiple defensive touchdowns while allowing zero touchdowns in a playoff game. The last time? The 1940 Bears. Basically, the Texans' defense is playing like it’s 85 years ago in the best way possible.
Here is the quick rundown of the nfl today final scores that set the stage for this weekend:
The Rams survived a 34-31 shootout against the Panthers. It was ugly, but Matthew Stafford is somehow still doing the "no-look pass" thing at an elite level.
The Chicago Bears clipped the Packers 31-27. It was a classic NFC North slugfest that ended with Green Bay fans questioning Matt LaFleur's future while Soldier Field nearly vibrated off its foundations.
Buffalo 27, Jacksonville 24. Josh Allen did Josh Allen things, specifically a 1-yard plunge with about a minute left to secure the win.
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The Divisional Round Matchups Are Locked
Since we don't have a live game to track today, everyone is obsessing over the lines for Saturday and Sunday. The "final score" everyone is arguing about right now is the hypothetical one between Buffalo and Denver.
Denver is the AFC’s No. 1 seed. They finished 14-3. They’ve been resting. But the Bills are coming in hot after that Jags win. Most experts are leaning toward a Buffalo upset, which feels kinda crazy given how well Denver’s defense has played at altitude this year.
Saturday, January 17
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: 4:30 PM ET on CBS. This is the one. Can Josh Allen handle the thin air, or will Denver’s rest prove too much?
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: 8:00 PM ET on FOX. A divisional rivalry in the playoffs? Yes, please. Seattle took the season finale, but the 49ers just ended the Eagles' title defense.
Sunday, January 18
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: 3:00 PM ET on ESPN/ABC. The Patriots had a quiet 14-3 season, mostly because they just... win. No drama, just 16-3 over the Chargers.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: 6:30 PM ET on NBC. The weather forecast for Soldier Field is 6 degrees Fahrenheit. Matthew Stafford in the cold vs. a Bears team that feels like destiny? That’s the "final score" everyone will be Googling on Sunday night.
What Most People Are Missing
There’s a misconception that the higher seed always has the edge after a bye. Historically, that’s mostly true. But this year feels different. The 49ers and Rams both look like teams that actually benefited from playing in the Wild Card round. They have "game speed" rhythm.
Also, keep an eye on the injuries. George Kittle is dealing with a right Achilles issue that could sideline him for the Seattle game. That changes everything for Brock Purdy. Without Kittle, the middle of the field opens up for interceptions—and Purdy already had two against the Eagles.
If you’re checking nfl today final scores because you’re looking for betting trends, pay attention to the "Under." In the Rams-Bears matchup, the Under has hit in 8 of the Rams' last 10 road games. Combine that with a 6-degree Chicago night, and you might see a score that looks more like a baseball game than a playoff shootout.
Actionable Insights for the Weekend
Don't just wait for the final whistle. If you want to actually "win" your playoff pool or just sound smart at the bar, look at these three things:
- Watch the Texans' Turnover Margin: They are +2 in defensive TDs this postseason. If they get one against the Patriots, New England usually struggles to play from behind.
- Monitor the Seattle Weather: Lumen Field is loud, but it’s also supposed to be wet on Saturday. The 49ers' run game (McCaffrey) thrives in the mud, while Seattle’s deep passing game might get neutralized.
- The Soldier Field Surface: It’s notoriously bad in January. If the Rams' speedy receivers can’t find their footing, the Bears' defense will feast on those short crossing routes.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow. By Monday morning, we'll have a whole new set of nfl today final scores to obsess over, and only four teams left standing.
For now, double-check your fantasy playoff lineups and keep an eye on the injury reports for George Kittle and Saquon Barkley, as those updates will dictate the flow of the Divisional Round more than any regular-season stat ever could.
To stay ahead of the curve, verify the active roster status for the Buffalo-Denver game by Friday evening, as the Broncos' defensive depth will be the deciding factor against a high-volume Bills passing attack.