If you’re refreshing your apps and shouting at your smart speaker to show me today's nfl football schedule, I’ve got some news that might make you want to throw your remote—but stick with me.
Today is Friday, January 16, 2026. And honestly? There isn't a single NFL game on the calendar today.
I know, I know. It’s the middle of January. The playoffs are in full swing. You’ve got the wings ready and the jersey on. But the NFL is being a bit of a tease right now. We are currently sitting in that high-tension "dark day" between the chaos of Wild Card Weekend and the heavyweight battles of the Divisional Round.
Think of today as the deep breath before the plunge. The league almost never schedules playoff games on Fridays because they want to maximize those massive Saturday and Sunday television windows. Plus, the teams that just played on Monday night (looking at you, Houston) need every second of recovery time they can get before hitting the field again.
The Divisional Round Schedule: What’s Actually Coming Next
Since you’re looking for the schedule, let’s look at what is happening tomorrow and Sunday. We aren't just talking about regular games; these are the matchups that determine who actually has a shot at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
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The action kicks off tomorrow afternoon in the thin air of Mile High.
Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
- Time: 4:30 PM ET
- Channel: CBS / Paramount+
- The Vibe: Denver is the top seed in the AFC for a reason, but Buffalo looked dangerous last week. Expect it to be loud.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Channel: FOX / FOX One
- The Vibe: An NFC West rivalry game in the playoffs? Absolute cinema. The 49ers are traveling to a hostile Lumen Field environment where the "12s" are going to be a major factor.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Sunday is when the weather might actually start messing with the game plans.
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Houston Texans at New England Patriots
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN / ABC / ESPN+
- The Vibe: C.J. Stroud vs. Drake Maye. It’s a battle of the young guns. Forecasts for Foxborough are already hinting at some January snow, which usually favors the home team’s grit.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC / Peacock
- The Vibe: This is the one everyone is talking about. It’s expected to be brutally cold at Soldier Field—single digits with 20 mph winds. Can Matthew Stafford’s arm handle the Chicago freeze, or will Caleb Williams use the elements to his advantage?
Why the Friday Gap Matters for Your Picks
If you're a bettor or just a die-hard fan, this "missing" Friday schedule is actually a gift. It’s the day the injury reports finally solidify.
Take the Rams-Bears game, for example. With the wind projected to howl off Lake Michigan, today is the day coordinators are scrapping the deep-threat playbook and leaning into the run game. If you were planning on seeing a 400-yard passing clinic, the Friday weather updates might suggest you look at the "under" instead.
Also, keep an eye on the Pro Bowl news dropping today. We just found out that Colts rookie tight end Tyler Warren was named to the Pro Bowl roster, replacing Brock Bowers. It’s a nice bit of news to chew on while we wait for the real hitting to start tomorrow.
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How to Watch and Stream This Weekend
Basically, if you have a digital antenna or a basic cable package, you’re mostly set. But if you’ve cut the cord, here is the quick breakdown of where to point your remote:
- Paramount+: For the Bills-Broncos game.
- FOX One / FOX Sports App: For the 49ers-Seahawks nightcap.
- ESPN+: If you want to stream the Texans and Patriots.
- Peacock: For the frozen tundra game between the Rams and Bears.
- NFL+: This is the "catch-all." If you’re on a phone or tablet, you can stream all these playoff games here, though blackouts sometimes apply to TV casting.
What to Do Today Instead
Since there’s no live football on the 16th, your best bet is to prep. Check your fantasy "Playoff Challenge" lineups. Make sure your streaming logins haven't expired right before kickoff.
The most important thing to watch today isn't a game—it's the weather report for Chicago and New England. If that snow hits Foxborough early, it changes the entire dynamic of the Texans' high-flying offense.
Get your errands done now. Tomorrow at 4:30 PM ET, the world stops again.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Weather: Monitor the Soldier Field forecast; if wind gusts exceed 25 mph, expect a heavy dose of D'Andre Swift and Kyren Williams.
- Update Your Apps: Ensure your Paramount+ and Peacock subscriptions are active today to avoid "login rage" five minutes before kickoff.
- Set Your Alerts: Set a phone reminder for 4:00 PM ET tomorrow so you don't miss the pre-game analysis for Bills-Broncos.