If you’re scrambling to find the remote and wondering what channel do the browns play on today, I have some news that might sting a little. You can put the snacks away. The Cleveland Browns are not playing today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Honestly, the 2025-2026 season was a rough ride for Cleveland. While the NFL playoffs are currently in full swing—with the Divisional Round scheduled for this coming weekend—the Browns didn't make the cut this year. They finished their regular season on January 4 with a narrow 20-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, ending with a 5-12 record.
That record left them at the bottom of the AFC North. While teams like the Steelers and Ravens are prepping for postseason glory, Cleveland is already looking toward the NFL Draft.
Where to Watch the NFL Playoffs This Week
Even though the Browns are sidelined, the road to the Super Bowl continues. If you're a football fan who just wants to see some high-stakes AFC action, the Divisional Round kicks off in just a few days. You’ll find the games across these major networks:
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- CBS and Paramount+: Usually the home for AFC matchups.
- FOX: Catch the NFC heavyweights here.
- NBC and Peacock: Often carries the primetime Sunday night slots.
- ESPN/ABC: They typically handle one of the major playoff broadcasts.
For instance, this Saturday, January 17, features the Buffalo Bills taking on the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Later that night, the 49ers face the Seahawks on FOX. If you’re a Browns fan, watching the Bills or Ravens might be a bit "kinda" painful, but that's the playoff reality this year.
What Happened to the Browns in 2025?
It’s been a weird season for Cleveland. We saw a rotating door at the quarterback position. Early on, Jameis Winston took some snaps, then we saw a bit of Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and eventually, Sanders took the reins.
The defense, led by the ever-dominant Myles Garrett, still showed flashes of brilliance, like that Week 17 win against the Steelers where they held Pittsburgh to just 6 points. But the offense struggled to find a consistent rhythm. Scoring was an uphill battle all year.
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Basically, the Browns dealt with:
- Inconsistent QB Play: Transitioning between veterans and younger prospects.
- Injuries: Key players in the secondary and on the offensive line missed significant time.
- Division Strength: The AFC North remains the "black and blue" division, and everyone else just happened to be a bit more polished this cycle.
Watching the Browns in the 2026 Season
If you're already looking forward to the next time you have to ask what channel do the browns play on today, you’ll likely be waiting until the preseason in August 2026.
Standard broadcast rules for the NFL usually apply. Most Sunday games will air on your local CBS or FOX affiliate. If the Browns land a primetime slot next year, you’ll be looking at:
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- Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video.
- Sunday Night Football on NBC.
- Monday Night Football on ESPN or ABC.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
Since there is no game today, here is how you can stay plugged into the Browns' future:
- Check the Draft Order: With a 5-12 record, Cleveland is eyeing a top-10 pick. Keep an eye on the NFL Scouting Combine in February to see who might be the next cornerstone player at Huntington Bank Field.
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: Offseasons often bring "refinements" to the coaching hierarchy. Any changes in the offensive coordinator role will be a big indicator of the team's 2026 direction.
- Manage Your Subscriptions: If you only kept Sunday Ticket or Paramount+ for the Browns, now is the time to check your billing cycles. No sense in paying for a "live game" service if your team is out for the count.
The Dawg Pound is a patient group. We've seen the highs and the very deep lows. While today is a quiet one in Cleveland, the draft talk is just getting started.