You’ve checked the apps, scrolled through your sportsbook, and maybe even double-checked the calendar. It’s Friday, January 16, 2026. You want to know the nfl football schedule for today.
Honestly? There isn't one.
The NFL is a weekend beast, and while we’ve been spoiled with a random Thursday or the occasional Monday night thriller, Friday remains a total dead zone for professional football. It’s basically the calm before the absolute storm that is the Divisional Round. If you're looking to park it on the couch and watch Josh Allen or Matthew Stafford tonight, you're a day early.
Why Today Is Quiet Before the Divisional Chaos
The league likes to keep its Friday "dark" to respect high school football and, quite frankly, to build up the massive hype for the weekend. We are currently sitting in the eye of the hurricane. The Wild Card round just finished up, and it was a bloodbath. The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles are already home packing their bags.
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Today is strictly for the "all-22" film junkies and the bettors trying to figure out if the Denver Broncos can actually hold off a Buffalo team that looks like it’s playing with house money. There are zero games scheduled for Friday, January 16.
Instead, the NFL is prepping for a two-day sprint that starts tomorrow.
The Actual Schedule You’re Looking For
Since there are no games today, your focus should be on Saturday and Sunday. This is the Divisional Round—the weekend many fans argue is actually better than the Super Bowl because you get four high-stakes games in 48 hours.
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Here is how the weekend shakes out:
Saturday, January 17
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This kicks off at 4:30 PM ET on CBS. Denver is the No. 1 seed, but Buffalo just dismantled Jacksonville. Empower Field is going to be loud, and the altitude is always a factor for teams coming from the East.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: An NFC West rivalry in the playoffs? Yes, please. This one starts at 8:00 PM ET on FOX. Seattle snagged that top seed, but the 49ers just knocked out the Eagles and look terrifyingly healthy.
Sunday, January 18
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- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: Drake Maye versus C.J. Stroud. This is the future of the AFC. Kickoff is 3:00 PM ET on ABC and ESPN.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: This is the nightcap at 6:30 PM ET on NBC. The Bears are the No. 2 seed, and Soldier Field in mid-January is basically a frozen tundra.
What Most People Get Wrong About Friday NFL Games
There’s a weird misconception that the NFL plays every day during the playoffs. They don't. In fact, Federal law—specifically the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961—basically prevents the NFL from broadcasting games on Friday nights and Saturdays during the high school and college seasons.
Since the college season is mostly wrapped up by now, the NFL can play on Saturdays, but they generally leave Fridays alone. It’s a tradition thing. It’s a scheduling thing. It’s also a "we want you to be so hungry for football that you’ll watch 10 hours of it tomorrow" thing.
Actionable Strategy for Today
Since the nfl football schedule for today is empty, you've actually got time to do the legwork that pays off tomorrow.
- Check the Injury Reports: Today is the day teams release their final "Probable/Questionable" designations. Keep an eye on the Rams' offensive line and the Broncos' secondary.
- Monitor the Weather: Denver and Chicago are the venues to watch. If the wind picks up at Soldier Field, that Rams passing attack might struggle.
- Find Your Stream: If you aren't near a TV tomorrow, make sure your NFL+ or Paramount+ logins are actually working. Nothing kills a Saturday faster than a forgotten password at 4:29 PM.
Tomorrow is when the real work begins. Today? Just enjoy the peace while it lasts.