So, you’re looking for the game. You've got the snacks ready, the couch is calling, and you're wondering what time is the thursday night football game on tonight. Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you flip to Amazon Prime or NFL Network right now, you’re going to find a whole lot of nothing—at least in terms of live NFL action.
Today is Thursday, January 15, 2026.
The regular season is officially in the rearview mirror. That means the weekly tradition of Thursday Night Football (TNF) has actually concluded for the 2025-2026 cycle. It’s a bit of a bummer, honestly. We get so used to that mid-week pigskin fix that the first few Thursdays of the playoffs feel kind of empty.
The NFL doesn't schedule games for Thursday nights during the Divisional Round. Why? Mostly because it would be a logistical nightmare for player safety. Imagine a team playing a Wild Card game on a Sunday or Monday and then being forced to turn around for a high-stakes playoff game just three or four days later. It just doesn't happen.
What Time Is the Thursday Night Football Game on Tonight? (The Short Answer)
There isn't one. Since it’s January 15, we are deep into the postseason. The league has shifted its entire focus to the big weekend slates. While Thursday Night Football usually kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET during the regular season, that window is currently dark.
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You’re not totally out of luck for sports tonight, though. If you still need a TV fix, the NBA and college hoops are picking up the slack.
- NBA on Prime: You can actually catch the Memphis Grizzlies taking on the Orlando Magic or the Thunder vs. Rockets later this evening.
- College Basketball: No. 9 Gonzaga is playing Washington State at 10 p.m. ET on CBSSN.
- NHL Action: There are usually a handful of puck-drops on Thursday nights to fill that void.
When Does NFL Football Return?
Since you're likely here because you want to see the road to Super Bowl LX, you only have to wait about 48 hours. The Divisional Round is where things get really intense. We are down to the final eight teams.
The action officially resumes on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Here is how that Saturday schedule looks:
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- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET. It’ll be on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: This is the primetime slot at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
It’s kind of wild to think about, but there are only six games left in the entire season. We have the four Divisional games this weekend, the two Conference Championships on January 25, and then the big dance—Super Bowl 2026—on February 8.
Why the NFL Stopped Thursday Games for the Playoffs
It basically comes down to the "short week" problem. During the regular season, teams and fans often complain about the quality of Thursday games because players aren't fully recovered from Sunday. In the playoffs, where one loss sends you home, the league won't risk the integrity of the game by forcing a team into a short preparation window.
Every team left in the hunt—the Patriots, Texans, Bears, and Rams included—needs every second of film study and physical recovery they can get.
The last Thursday Night Football game we saw this season was actually back on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, when the Broncos played the Chiefs. Since then, the league has moved to the Saturday/Sunday/Monday "Wild Card" format and now the strictly Saturday/Sunday Divisional format.
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Where to Catch the Upcoming Games
Since Amazon Prime is done with its exclusive TNF package for the year, you’ll need to head back to the traditional broadcasters and their respective streaming apps.
For the games on Saturday and Sunday (January 17-18):
- CBS/Paramount+: For the Bills vs. Broncos game.
- FOX: For the 49ers vs. Seahawks.
- ABC/ESPN/ESPN+: To watch the Texans and Patriots on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET.
- NBC/Peacock: For the Rams vs. Bears on Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Actionable Steps for Tonight
Since you can't watch what time is the thursday night football game on tonight, here’s how to handle your football withdrawal:
- Check Your Fantasy/Betting Lines: Use tonight to look at the opening lines for Saturday’s Bills/Broncos game. Currently, the Seahawks are looking like Super Bowl favorites at +280, so it might be time to scout the value.
- Update Your Apps: Make sure your Paramount+, Peacock, and ESPN+ subscriptions are active. Most of the Divisional Round will be spread across these services.
- Set Your Saturday Alarms: The first game starts at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. If you're on the West Coast, that's a 1:30 p.m. kickoff—perfect for a late lunch.
The "Thursday Night Football" brand will return next September for the 2026-2027 season. Until then, enjoy the weekend playoff gauntlet.