So, you’re settled in, snacks ready, and you're frantically scrolling through the guide asking what channel is tonight's NFL football game. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but tonight—Friday, January 16, 2026—there actually isn't an NFL game on.
I know, it feels wrong. Especially in the middle of January when the playoff intensity is supposedly at a fever pitch. But the NFL has a very specific rhythm for the postseason, and Friday is almost always the "deep breath before the plunge" day.
The Playoff Gap
The Wild Card round just wrapped up a few days ago. We saw some absolute chaos, including the Bills squeezing past the Jaguars and the Texans knocking out the Steelers. But because those games happened over the weekend and into Monday night, the league gives the players a few days to actually, you know, recover from being hit by human semi-trucks.
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Usually, people expect a "Friday Night Football" vibe because we get so used to the Thursday/Sunday/Monday routine during the regular season. But the Divisional Round doesn't kick off until tomorrow.
When is the next game?
If you're looking for the real action, you only have to wait until tomorrow afternoon. The NFL Divisional Round officially starts on Saturday, January 17.
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Here is the breakdown of what's coming up so you can plan your weekend:
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This one kicks off Saturday at 4:30 PM ET. You can catch it on CBS or stream it on Paramount+. Bo Nix and the Broncos have been a powerhouse at home, but Josh Allen is... well, he's Josh Allen.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: The nightcap on Saturday is at 8:00 PM ET. This is a massive NFC West rivalry game being played on FOX. Seattle’s Lumen Field is going to be deafening.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: Sunday at 3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN. CJ Stroud heading into Foxborough against a Patriots defense that has looked like a brick wall lately is arguably the game of the week.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: Sunday night at 6:30 PM ET on NBC. If you like "old school" football, this is the one. It’s expected to be freezing at Soldier Field.
Why the Friday blackout?
The NFL is incredibly protective of its broadcast windows. Friday nights in the fall are traditionally "reserved" for high school football by federal law (the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961), which prevents the NFL from broadcasting within 75 miles of high school or college games on Fridays and Saturdays from mid-September to mid-December.
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Even though that law technically "expires" for the season once the high school and college playoffs are mostly over in January, the NFL sticks to its Saturday/Sunday playoff model. It's about maximizing those massive television ratings. They want you sitting on your couch when the sun is out on Saturday, not trying to catch a game while you’re out for dinner on a Friday night.
What about other football?
If you're absolutely desperate for a fix tonight, you might find some college basketball or NHL games, but the gridiron is silent. Use tonight to double-check your streaming logins. If you’re planning on watching the Broncos game tomorrow, make sure your Paramount+ account hasn't expired. If you're a cord-cutter aiming for the Seahawks game, ensure your digital antenna is actually pointed the right way.
Honestly, the "Friday off" is a blessing in disguise. Tomorrow is a literal 10-hour marathon of playoff football.
Next Steps for Your Weekend:
- Set your DVR for 4:30 PM ET tomorrow for the Bills vs. Broncos on CBS.
- Download the Peacock app if you plan on watching the Rams vs. Bears Sunday night game, as it provides a stable 4K stream if your local NBC affiliate feed is grainy.
- Check the weather in Chicago—if it stays as cold as predicted, that Under bet for Sunday night is looking very tempting.