So, you're looking for the score of the football game tonight. Honestly, I get it. We’re in that weird, frantic mid-January pocket where the sports calendar feels like it’s vibrating. If you’ve been refreshing your apps and coming up empty for a major NFL or College Football kickoff today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, there’s a very simple—and maybe slightly annoying—reason for that.
There isn't a game. Not a big one, anyway.
I know, I know. You probably saw "January 14" on a schedule somewhere and figured we’d have some Wild Card fallout or a late bowl game. But here’s the reality: we are currently sitting in the "eye of the storm" between the NFL Wild Card round and the Divisional playoffs.
Where did the football go?
Most fans are still reeling from the Wild Card weekend that wrapped up just two days ago on Monday, January 12. If you’re looking for a score from tonight, you might be thinking of the Houston Texans or the Los Angeles Rams, who both just punched their tickets to the next round.
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The NFL is currently dark. It's a midweek breather. The league is letting the bruises heal and the coordinators lose sleep over film before the Divisional Round starts this Saturday, January 17.
On the college side, it’s even quieter. The Indiana Hoosiers basically broke the internet a few days ago by dismantling Oregon 56-22 to head to the National Championship. We are currently in the gap before the title game. If you see people wearing "Mr. 305" Pitbull gear today, it’s because the CFP just launched a merchandise collab in Miami to celebrate the upcoming finale. But as for actual pads popping on a field tonight? It's a ghost town.
What about the "other" football?
Now, if you’re a fan of the other football—soccer—the scoreboard is actually lit up like a Christmas tree. If you were searching for a "football score" and meant the beautiful game, there’s plenty to talk about.
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In the Scottish Premiership, Celtic just took care of business against Falkirk with a 19:45 kickoff. Over in Italy, Inter Milan hosted Lecce in a match that went pretty much exactly how the oddsmakers expected (Inter was a massive 1/9 favorite).
Even the Africa Cup of Nations is in full swing today. We had a massive heavyweight bout between Nigeria and Morocco that kicked off at 20:00. These are the scores that are actually moving the needle tonight while the pigskin sits in the equipment room.
Why the confusion happens every year
Basically, the second week of January is a transition period.
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- The NFL Deadline: Today is actually the deadline for college underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft.
- Scheduling Shifts: Schools like Virginia Tech and JMU literally just announced today that they’re canceling their scheduled 2026 matchup due to ACC realignment.
- The "Monday Night" Hangover: Because the NFL now plays Wild Card games on Monday nights, fans often wake up on Wednesday still feeling like it's "game week," forgetting the midweek lull.
If you’re desperate for a score to track, you’ve gotta pivot to the hardwood. The Baylor Bears and Utah Utes are mid-battle in women's college hoops right now, and the NBA has a full slate including the Nuggets and Mavs.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Stop refreshing the empty NFL scoreboard and prep for the weekend instead. Here is how you should actually spend your Wednesday night if you're a football junkie:
- Check the Injury Reports: Since today is Wednesday, the first official injury reports for the Divisional Round (like the Bills vs. Broncos matchup) are being released. This is where you find out if that star receiver's "tweak" is actually a high ankle sprain.
- Set Your Saturday Alarms: The NFL returns Saturday, Jan 17 at 1:30 PM ET.
- Watch the Waiver Wire: If you're still playing playoff fantasy or daily fantasy, tonight is the night to see which depth players are getting more reps in practice.
The "score of the football game tonight" is essentially 0-0 because the stadium lights are off. Grab a drink, watch some puck or hoops, and save that energy for the Divisional Round this weekend.