If you’re refreshing your phone and asking "show me today's nfl football scores" right now, on Friday, January 16, 2026, I’ve got to break a little news to you. There aren't any. The NFL has successfully taken over almost every night of the week during the regular season, but the playoffs are a different beast. We are currently in the eye of the storm. The Wild Card round is officially in the rearview mirror, and the Divisional Round doesn't kick off until tomorrow.
It’s that weird Friday lull.
The silence is actually kind of deafening when you consider how chaotic last weekend was. We watched the Buffalo Bills squeak past the Jaguars 27-24, and the Texans absolutely dismantled the Steelers 30-6. If you're looking for live action today, you're basically out of luck, but the board for Saturday and Sunday is completely loaded.
Why Today’s NFL Football Scores Are Empty
The league likes to keep the Divisional Round to a tight Saturday-Sunday window to ensure maximum viewership and, let's be honest, to let the hype build until it’s unbearable. Today is all about injury reports and final walkthroughs.
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If you missed the final scores from the Wild Card games that got us here, here is how the bracket shook out:
- Rams 34, Panthers 31: A high-scoring heartbreaker for Carolina.
- Bears 31, Packers 27: Caleb Williams lived up to the noise with a clutch late drive.
- Bills 27, Jaguars 24: Josh Allen reminded everyone why he's a Tier 1 guy.
- 49ers 23, Eagles 19: San Francisco went into Philly and sucked the air out of the Linc.
- Patriots 16, Chargers 3: A defensive masterclass that felt like 2004 all over again.
- Texans 30, Steelers 6: Total domination by DeMeco Ryans' squad.
Looking Ahead: The Divisional Schedule
Since there are no scores to show you for today, Friday the 16th, let’s look at what you’ll be seeing on the scoreboard starting tomorrow. The top seeds are finally coming off their bye weeks. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks have been sitting home, resting, while everyone else bruised each other up.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
The AFC starts things off in the thin air of Colorado. The Buffalo Bills are heading to Empower Field at Mile High to take on the Denver Broncos. That one kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Denver’s defense has been a brick wall this year, ranking second in the league for yards allowed. But can they stop a Buffalo offense that's currently fourth in total yards?
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Later that night, it’s an NFC West bloodbath. The San Francisco 49ers travel to face the Seattle Seahawks at 8:15 p.m. ET on FOX. These teams know each other too well. They split their regular-season series, and Seattle's organic pass rush—they have five guys with 40+ pressures—is going to be a nightmare for Brock Purdy.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Sunday is just as heavy. The Houston Texans visit the New England Patriots at 3:05 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN). This is the "unstoppable force vs. immovable object" game. Houston’s defense was the best in the NFL this year, but New England just held the Chargers to three points. Three!
To wrap it all up, the Los Angeles Rams go to Soldier Field to play the Chicago Bears at 6:40 p.m. ET on NBC. It’s going to be freezing. We’re talking single digits. Can Matthew Stafford’s arm stay warm enough to find Puka Nacua and Davante Adams against that Chicago secondary?
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The Betting Lines You Should Know
If you're looking for "scores" because you're trying to gauge the temperature of the room, the oddsmakers have some strong opinions.
- Broncos vs. Bills: Denver is a slight -1 favorite. It’s basically a toss-up.
- Seahawks vs. 49ers: Seattle is favored by 7.5. That feels high for a rivalry game, but the Seahawks are rested.
- Patriots vs. Texans: New England is a -3 favorite at home.
- Bears vs. Rams: The Rams are actually -3.5 favorites on the road. The Vegas guys clearly trust Stafford more than the Chicago weather.
Honestly, the most interesting thing to watch today isn't a score—it's the weather report for Chicago. If that wind picks up off Lake Michigan, that 48.5 point total for Rams-Bears is going to look very ambitious.
Actionable Tips for This Weekend
Since you've got a free Friday night with no NFL games on the tube, here is how you should prep for the Divisional Round:
- Check the Final Injury Reports: Teams have to designate players as "Out," "Doubtful," or "Questionable" by this afternoon. Keep an eye on the 49ers' offensive line health; they struggled when the blitz came in their last meeting with Seattle.
- Set Your Streaming Apps: If you aren't near a TV, make sure your Paramount+ (for CBS games), Peacock (for the Sunday night NBC game), and Fox One apps are updated. There is nothing worse than a forced update during a 4th-and-goal.
- Watch the 2026 Draft Order: If your team isn't in the playoffs, the first 24 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft are already set. The Raiders are officially on the clock at No. 1. Use today to scout some tape.
The wait is almost over. Tomorrow afternoon, when you ask for today's NFL football scores, you're going to get a lot more than just a blank screen.
Next Steps for Your Football Weekend:
- Verify the kickoff times for your local time zone so you don't miss the Bills-Broncos opener.
- Monitor the Chicago weather forecast if you're planning any last-minute bets on the Rams-Bears over/under.
- Download the NFL+ app if you want to listen to the home-team radio broadcasts for a more biased (and fun) commentary experience.