You're looking for the Vikings game tomorrow. I get it. We've all been there, scrolling through the guide or frantically googling at 11:00 PM on a Friday night because the schedule feels like a moving target. But here's the cold, hard reality for the Minnesota faithful: there is no Minnesota Vikings NFL game tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, 2026.
The Vikings' season wrapped up on January 4th. They played the Packers. They won 16-3. It was a nice way to end, sure, but it wasn't enough to punch a ticket to the postseason dance. While other teams are bruising it out in the Divisional Round this weekend, the Purple and Gold are already looking at draft boards and off-season surgery schedules.
If you are seeing "Vikings" on your schedule for tomorrow, you're likely looking at the college ranks. The Portland State Vikings are hosting Northern Arizona in a Big Sky showdown. That game is happening at 2:00 PM PT (4:00 PM CT) and it's streaming on ESPN+. It's a massive game for them—they're chasing a 5-0 start in league play for the first time in nearly 30 years. But if you were expecting Justin Jefferson to be hauling in touchdowns, you're going to be disappointed.
Vikings Game Tomorrow What Channel: The Reality of the 2026 NFL Playoffs
It’s tough to swallow. The Vikings finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a 9-8 record. In a lot of years, nine wins gets you a Wild Card spot. This year? No dice. They finished third in the NFC North, just a half-game behind those pesky Green Bay Packers who managed to snag the No. 7 seed.
Because of that narrow miss, the answer to vikings game tomorrow what channel is effectively "none," at least for the NFL team. The league has moved on to the Divisional Round. If you're a football junkie and just want to see some high-stakes hitting, here is what is actually on your TV tomorrow, Saturday, Jan 17:
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- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (AFC Divisional): 3:30 PM CT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (NFC Divisional): 7:00 PM CT on FOX and streaming on the FOX Sports app.
It’s a bit of a gut punch seeing the Seahawks and 49ers in that slot. Minnesota had their chances. They went on a five-game winning streak to end the season, beating the Commanders, Cowboys, Giants, Lions, and Packers. It was a hell of a run. If they had found that magic in October instead of December, we’d be talking about what channel the Vikings are on instead of checking out the Bills.
Why Minnesota Missed the Cut
Consistency is a boring word, but it's why the Vikings are home. They started the season 4-6. There was that brutal stretch in November where they lost three straight to the Bears, Packers, and Seahawks. That shutout loss to Seattle (26-0) on November 30th was particularly grim.
By the time Kevin O'Connell got the offense humming in December, the hole was too deep. They won out, but the tiebreakers didn't swing their way. It’s the kind of season that keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
Watching the Portland State Vikings
If you specifically saw a "Vikings" listing and want to support the name regardless of the sport, the Portland State game is actually a pretty big deal. They are playing at the Viking Pavilion in Portland.
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- Time: 2:00 PM local time (4:00 PM in Minnesota).
- Channel: No traditional cable channel. You need ESPN+.
- Radio: You can find live stats at ViksLive.livestats.us.
They’re trying to match a school record of 15 straight Big Sky home wins. It's high-level basketball, but it’s definitely not the NFL.
Where to Find Vikings Content Tomorrow
Since there’s no live game, most fans are heading to the usual haunts for off-season news. The rumor mill is already churning about the 2026 NFL Draft. Since the Vikings finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs, they’ll be picking in the middle of the first round.
KFAN 100.3-FM is usually the go-to for the post-mortem analysis. Even on a Saturday with no game, you'll hear the local experts like Paul Allen and Pete Bercich breaking down what went wrong in that mid-season slump.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 schedule is already out in terms of opponents. We know the Vikings will have nine home games and eight road games next year. They’ll be facing the AFC East (Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, Jets) and the NFC South (Falcons, Panthers, Saints, Buccaneers).
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Honestly, the schedule looks tough. Playing the Niners on the road is never a picnic. But that’s a problem for next September. For tomorrow, the jerseys stay in the closet unless you're just wearing one to mourn what could have been a playoff run.
Actionable Next Steps
Since the game you’re looking for doesn't exist, here is how you can still get your football fix or prep for the next season:
- Check the Playoff Schedule: If you just want to watch football, tune into CBS at 3:30 PM CT for the Bills vs. Broncos. It’s the best game on the slate tomorrow.
- Download the Vikings App: This is the best place to track the upcoming 2026 Draft prospect visits. They usually start posting "Path to the Draft" content right about now.
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: Keep an eye on local news (KARE 11 or WCCO) for any word on defensive staff changes. After that November slump, there’s been plenty of chatter about refreshing the scheme.
- Watch Portland State: If you have ESPN+, the PSU vs. Northern Arizona game is actually a great watch for college hoops fans.
The search for the vikings game tomorrow what channel ends here. It’s an off-season Saturday for Minnesota, but the NFL playoffs are still providing plenty of reasons to keep the TV on.