You're looking for the kickoff, right? You’ve got the wings ready, or maybe you’re just trying to figure out if you have time to run to the grocery store before the coin toss. But here’s the thing that’s going to bum a lot of people out today: there are actually no NFL football games on today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
I know, it feels wrong. Especially since we just came off that absolute heater of a Wild Card weekend where the Texans basically retired Mike Tomlin (seriously, that 30-6 blowout was wild). But the NFL schedule is a fickle beast. We are currently in that weird, quiet "dead zone" between the Wild Card round and the Divisional playoffs.
If you’re wondering what time are the nfl football games on today, the answer is zero o'clock.
The Playoff Gap: Why Your Screen is Empty Today
The NFL doesn't do Wednesday games unless there’s a literal blizzard or a global catastrophe. Today is strictly for the film room and, apparently, for coaches to contemplate their entire existence. Since the Texans and Steelers wrapped up the Wild Card round on Monday night, the league gives the remaining eight teams a breather.
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Think about it. The 49ers just bruised their way past the Eagles, and now they have to fly to Seattle for a Saturday night showdown. Playing today would be a death sentence for those players' hamstrings. Instead of live hits, today's "NFL action" is mostly just underclassmen college kids sweating over whether to declare for the draft—today is actually the official deadline for that.
When Does the Real Action Start?
Since today is a wash, you’re looking at Saturday, January 17, for the next real kickoff. That’s when the Divisional Round starts, and honestly, these matchups look way better than the Wild Card ones anyway.
Here is how the upcoming weekend actually breaks down so you can plan your life:
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Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This is the early bird special. Kickoff is at 4:30 PM ET. You can catch this on CBS or stream it on Paramount+. Watching Josh Allen try to throw a ball through the thin Denver air is always a trip.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: This is the primetime slot. Kickoff is at 8:00 PM ET on FOX. This is a massive divisional rivalry game. The Seahawks are coming off a bye and they're well-rested, while the Niners are playing on a short week.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: Sunday starts at 3:00 PM ET. It'll be on ABC and ESPN. The Texans are the "Cinderella" story right now after what they did to Pittsburgh, but Foxborough in January is a different kind of monster.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: The nightcap is at 6:30 PM ET on NBC. Chicago hosting a divisional game at Soldier Field? It’s going to be freezing, it’s going to be loud, and it’s probably going to be the most "old-school" game of the weekend.
Common Misconceptions About Wednesday Games
Every year, people search for NFL games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the playoffs. It’s a habit. We’re so used to the Thursday-Sunday-Monday rhythm of the regular season that a 4-day gap feels like a month.
Unless it’s Christmas or a weird COVID-era rescheduling, the NFL sticks to its weekend guns for the postseason. If you see a site claiming there’s a "Monday Night Football" vibe happening tonight, they’re probably just trying to sell you a jersey or they're talking about a replay of a game from three years ago.
What to Watch Instead
If you’re staring at your TV and absolutely need sports, you aren't totally out of luck. The NHL has some stuff going on, and college basketball is in full swing. But if you’re a football-only person, today is a good day to check your fantasy dynasty rankings or finally look at the betting lines for the Bills-Broncos game.
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The Broncos opened as slight favorites because of that altitude advantage, but Allen is 14-3 this season for a reason.
Actionable Steps for the Divisional Round
Don't get caught off guard on Saturday. Since you now know there's nothing on today, use this time to get your setup ready.
- Check your Paramount+ login: If you're planning on streaming the Bills game, make sure your subscription didn't expire. There is nothing worse than missing a first-quarter touchdown because of a password reset.
- Monitor the Weather in Chicago: Keep an eye on the Sunday forecast for the Rams-Bears game. If it’s a "Snow Bowl" situation, that LA offense might struggle.
- Sync your Calendars: Set your phone alerts for 4:30 PM ET Saturday.
The wait is annoying, but the Divisional Round is usually the best weekend of football in the entire year. It’s better than the Super Bowl half the time. Hold tight for a few more days.