Look, I get it. You wake up on a random Tuesday in mid-January, the air is crisp, and you're wondering if there is a pigskin flying through the air somewhere. The short answer? If you are looking for the NFL or big-time college bowl games, you're a few days early or a few days late. We are currently sitting in that weird "limbo" week between the NFL Wild Card chaos and the high-stakes Divisional Round.
But don't click away yet.
If you widen your definition of "football" to include the global game (soccer) or if you're just itching for a gridiron fix via replays of the absolute madness we just witnessed in the playoffs, there is actually a lot to watch. Let's break down exactly what channel are the football games on today and where you can find the best action.
The NFL Landscape: Waiting for the Divisional Round
Honestly, the NFL is on a brief hiatus today, January 13, 2026. We just finished a wild Monday night where the Houston Texans absolutely dismantled the Steelers 30-6. If you're looking for live NFL games right now, you won't find them. The league is catching its breath before the Divisional Round kicks off this coming Saturday.
However, if you need your NFL fix, NFL Network is basically running 24/7 analysis of the upcoming matchups. You can also catch Hard Knocks: In Season on HBO at 9:00 PM ET tonight. It's the season finale featuring the NFC East, and if you want to see the behind-the-scenes drama of how that division imploded or succeeded, that’s your best bet for "football" content on the tube tonight.
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For those planning their weekend, here is a quick look at the upcoming schedule so you aren't scrambling on Saturday:
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: Saturday, Jan 17 at 4:30 PM ET on CBS.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: Saturday, Jan 17 at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: Sunday, Jan 18 at 3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN.
College Football: The Post-Season Replays
College football is technically over, with the Indiana Hoosiers recently making history in the Peach Bowl. But for the junkies who can't let go, the Big Ten Network is your best friend today.
At 4:00 PM ET, they are airing B1G Football in 60, specifically the Peach Bowl matchup between Indiana and Oregon. It’s a condensed version of the game where Fernando Mendoza went absolutely nuclear, throwing five touchdowns. It’s perfect if you want the hits and the scores without the three hours of commercials.
Soccer: The Real "Football" Taking Over Today
If you’re a purist who calls it football, or just a sports fan who needs live competitive scoring, Tuesday is actually a massive day for soccer. We have the English League Cup (EFL Cup), the Spanish Copa del Rey, and the Italian Coppa Italia all hitting the pitch.
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The big one is Newcastle United vs. Manchester City in the EFL Cup Semi-Finals. That kicks off at 3:00 PM ET. You can find that streaming exclusively on Paramount+. It’s going to be loud, it's going to be rainy, and it's probably going to be better than any sitcom on at that hour.
Over in Spain, Real Sociedad faces Osasuna in the Copa del Rey at 3:00 PM ET. That one is living on ESPN+. If you prefer the Italian style, AS Roma takes on Torino in the Coppa Italia, also at 3:00 PM ET, which you can catch on the CBS Sports Golazo Network or Paramount+.
Basically, if it’s 3:00 PM, you’ve got a buffet of options.
Where to Watch: A Quick Breakdown of Channels
Finding what channel are the football games on today is sort of a scavenger hunt across streaming apps and cable. Here is a rough guide of where to point your remote:
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- Paramount+: Your home for the English League Cup (Newcastle vs. City) and Italian soccer.
- ESPN+: The destination for the German Bundesliga (Dortmund and Leverkusen are playing earlier in the afternoon) and the Spanish Copa del Rey.
- Big Ten Network: Replays of major 2025-26 bowl games.
- NFL Network: Constant news updates on the coaching carousel and injury reports for the Divisional Round.
- FS2: Catching some Saudi Pro League action if you want to see if the big-money stars are still earning those paychecks.
Why There Aren't Any NFL Games on Tuesday
It’s a common question. Why doesn't the NFL just play every night? Well, player safety is the big one, but mostly it's about the "event" status. The NFL dominates Sundays, owns Mondays, and has a lease on Thursdays. Tuesday is traditionally the day players get their bodies right and coaches stay in the film room until 3:00 AM drinking lukewarm coffee.
During the playoffs, this Tuesday gap is even more pronounced. The teams that played on Sunday and Monday need every second of recovery. So, while we might be bored on the couch, the Texans and Patriots are likely in ice baths right now preparing for their Sunday showdown.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're bummed about the lack of live gridiron action today, here is how you should handle your Tuesday evening. First, download the Paramount+ or ESPN+ apps if you haven't yet; that is where 90% of today's live sports are hiding.
Second, set your DVR for the NFL Divisional Round now. The games on Saturday and Sunday are going to be massive, especially with the Broncos hosting a playoff game at Mile High for the first time in nearly a decade.
Lastly, if you really need to see a ball moving, check out the NBA on NBC/Peacock tonight. The San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama are taking on the Thunder at 8:00 PM ET. It's not football, but watching a 7-foot-4 guy move like a point guard is a decent consolation prize.
Make sure your subscriptions are active and your snacks are prepped. The "real" football returns in force this weekend.