It is Thursday, January 15, 2026, and if you're looking for live scores of today's nfl games, the honest truth is that the stadiums are quiet right now. We are currently in that weird, tense middle ground of the postseason. Wild Card weekend just wrapped up on Monday, and the Divisional Round doesn't kick off until Saturday. So, while there aren't any scores ticking across the bottom of your screen today, the fallout from the last few days has basically reshaped the entire Super Bowl conversation.
Think about it. We just saw the defending champs get bounced and a handful of young quarterbacks prove they aren't scared of the big lights. If you missed the chaos of the last 72 hours, you've missed a lot. Honestly, the scores from this past weekend tell a story of a changing guard in the NFL.
The Wild Card Results That Changed Everything
The weekend started with a literal shootout in Charlotte. Most people figured the Rams would handle the Panthers, but nobody expected a 34-31 nail-biter. Matthew Stafford looked like his younger self, but it was the Rams' defense that barely held on as the clock hit zero. Then you had the Bears and Packers. It's the oldest rivalry in the book, and Chicago managed to squeeze out a 31-27 win at Soldier Field.
Sunday was even more intense.
Buffalo went into Jacksonville and basically stole a win, 27-24. Josh Allen was doing Josh Allen things—running over linebackers and throwing darts. But the real shocker for many was the 49ers taking down the Eagles 23-19. Seeing the Eagles go out that early felt wrong to a lot of Philly fans, but San Francisco’s defense is just a different breed of physical right now. Unfortunately, they lost George Kittle in the process, which is a massive blow for their next game against Seattle.
Then there’s Drake Maye. The kid made his playoff debut for the Patriots and looked remarkably calm. New England dismantled the Chargers 16-3. It wasn't the highest-scoring game, but it was a coaching masterclass. Finally, on Monday night, the Houston Texans absolutely steamrolled the Steelers 30-6. CJ Stroud didn't just win; he dominated.
Why the Bracket Looks the Way it Does Now
So, where does that leave us? Since there are no scores of today's nfl games to report for this Thursday, we have to look at the massive matchups set for the weekend. The "Big Two"—the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks—are finally coming off their bye weeks. They've been sitting home, healthy and rested, watching everyone else beat each other up.
Here is how the Divisional Round is actually shaking out:
On Saturday, the Buffalo Bills travel to the high altitude of Denver to face the top-seeded Broncos. That one starts at 4:30 PM ET on CBS. Later that night, at 8:15 PM ET, the 49ers have to go into the "Loud House" at Lumen Field to face the Seahawks. Without Kittle, that feels like a mountain of a task for San Francisco.
Sunday is just as heavy. The Houston Texans head to Foxborough to play the Patriots at 3:00 PM ET. This is the "student vs. the master" game, with Stroud facing that New England defense. To wrap it all up, the Rams go to Chicago for a 6:30 PM ET kickoff. It’s going to be cold, it’s going to be loud, and it’s going to be a bloodbath.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Postseason
A lot of folks look at the scores of today's nfl games—or the lack thereof on a Thursday—and think the momentum from the Wild Card round just carries over. It usually doesn't. Historically, the teams coming off a bye have a massive advantage, but they can also start "rusty."
Denver hasn't played a meaningful snap in two weeks. If Josh Allen and the Bills start fast on Saturday, that rest might actually feel like a curse for the Broncos. Also, don't sleep on the Rams. People keep acting like they are too old, but they’ve won games in every possible way this season.
The expert consensus is usually split on the "rest vs. rust" debate. According to various analysts at ESPN and NFL Network, the home-field advantage in the Divisional Round is worth about three points on the spread, but when you're talking about Seattle or Denver, it feels like more. The thin air in Colorado and the noise in Washington are real factors that don't show up in a box score.
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Preparing for the Divisional Round
Since you can't watch a game tonight, the best thing to do is get your setup ready for Saturday. The schedule is locked in.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Bills at Broncos (4:30 PM, CBS)
- Saturday, Jan 17: 49ers at Seahawks (8:15 PM, FOX)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Texans at Patriots (3:00 PM, ABC/ESPN)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Rams at Bears (6:30 PM, NBC)
Watch the injury reports tomorrow. Specifically, keep an eye on the 49ers' TE situation and whether the Bills' secondary is healthy enough to chase Denver's speedsters. The "scores" we see this weekend will likely be determined by who spent this Thursday in the film room rather than on the trainer's table.
If you are betting or just playing fantasy, remember that the "under" has been hitting more frequently in these high-stakes January games lately. Defenses tighten up. Kickers get nervous. Everything gets harder when the season is on the line.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow. By Monday morning, we will only have four teams left. For now, enjoy the calm before the storm.
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Check the active rosters on the official NFL app tomorrow morning for the final injury designations before the Saturday triple-header begins.