If you’re sitting on your couch right now, remote in hand, frantically scrolling through the guide to see what channel does the Detroit Lions play today, I have some news that might sting a little.
The Detroit Lions are not playing today, January 18, 2026.
It’s the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. While the city of Detroit has grown accustomed to January football lately, the 2025-2026 season didn't end with a postseason run. The Lions officially wrapped up their season on January 4, 2026, with a finale against the Chicago Bears. If you’re seeing playoff logos on your screen and wondering where the Honolulu Blue is, it's because the team finished fourth in the NFC North and missed the cut this year.
Honestly, it’s a weird feeling. For a team that has been the "it" franchise of the NFL over the last couple of seasons, watching the Divisional Round from the sidelines feels wrong. But just because Dan Campbell isn't on your screen today doesn't mean there isn't football to watch—or that there isn't plenty to talk about regarding the Lions' future.
What Channel Is the NFL Playing on Today?
Since the Lions aren't taking the field, you might still want to catch the high-stakes games happening today. The NFL schedule for Sunday, January 18, 2026, features two massive Divisional Round matchups. If you're looking for football, here is where you’ll find it:
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: This game kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET. You can watch this one on ESPN and ABC.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: This is the primetime slot starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. You can catch this matchup on NBC or stream it via Peacock.
It’s a bit of a "what could have been" scenario for Lions fans. Seeing the division-rival Bears host a playoff game at Soldier Field today probably doesn't sit well with anyone in the 313. The Bears managed to clinch the No. 2 seed, while the Lions are already looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Why the Lions Aren't Playing Today
So, how did we get here? How did a team with so much momentum end up watching the Divisional Round from their living rooms?
The 2025-2026 season was a gauntlet. The Lions finished with a 9-8 record. In many years, that’s enough to sneak into a Wild Card spot. This year? Not even close. The NFC North was arguably the toughest division in football. With the Vikings sweeping the Lions and the Packers remaining a thorn in their side, Detroit found themselves at the bottom of a very competitive pile.
Amon-Ra St. Brown put it pretty bluntly after the season finale. He told reporters that it "hurts" and that the team simply "didn't deserve to be in the playoffs" because they didn't make enough plays. It’s that raw honesty that fans love, but it doesn't make the empty Sunday any easier.
Defensive Struggles and Injuries
Consistency was the ghost that haunted Ford Field this year. There were weeks where the offense looked like an unstoppable machine, and then there were games—like the Christmas Day loss to the Vikings—where things just felt out of sync. Injuries to key components of the offensive line also slowed down the run game that is so vital to Ben Johnson’s scheme.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Detroit Lions Schedule
If you're already over this season and want to know when you can see the Lions back on your TV, the 2026 opponents are already locked in. Because they finished fourth in the division, they get what’s often called a "last-place schedule."
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This isn't actually as easy as it sounds, but it does mean they’ll face other fourth-place finishers from last season.
2026 Home Opponents:
- Chicago Bears
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
2026 Road Opponents:
- Chicago Bears
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Miami Dolphins
- Arizona Cardinals
Basically, the Lions are going to spend a lot of time on the East Coast and in the South next year. Facing the Bills in Buffalo and the Dolphins in Miami will be massive tests for Dan Campbell’s squad.
How to Watch the Lions in 2026
When the new season kicks off in September, the "what channel" question will return. For the local Detroit market, most games will remain on FOX (WJBK-TV) and CBS (WWJ-TV). However, the NFL’s broadcasting landscape is getting more complicated by the minute.
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Last season, we saw a game on Netflix. We saw games on Amazon Prime. If the Lions bounce back and become the media darlings they were in 2024, expect plenty of primetime slots on NBC’s Sunday Night Football and ESPN’s Monday Night Football.
If you’re a cord-cutter, the best way to ensure you never miss a game is a combination of:
- YouTube TV or Fubo: These carry the local channels (FOX, CBS, NBC) and ESPN.
- Amazon Prime: For Thursday Night Football.
- Peacock: For exclusive NBC/Universal games.
- NFL+: Great for watching on mobile, though it has local blackout restrictions for live TV on big screens.
What Should Lions Fans Do Today?
Since you can't watch the Lions, the best move is probably to "scout" the competition. Watching the Bears play the Rams tonight is a good way to see what the top of the NFC looks like. The Rams have been a recurring character in the Lions' recent history, and seeing how Chicago handles the pressure of the Divisional Round will tell us a lot about what the Lions need to do to retake the North in 2026.
Brad Holmes and the front office are already in "draft mode." With the senior bowl and combine approaching, the focus in Detroit has shifted from touchdowns to scouting reports. The Lions will have a decent draft pick this year, and they’ll likely be looking for defensive secondary help and perhaps more depth on the edge to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.
It's a long off-season. But as any Lions fan knows, the hope for next year starts the second the current one ends.
Next Steps for Lions Fans:
Check the final NFL Draft order to see exactly where the Lions will pick in the first round. You can also start tracking the coaching carousel, as several of the Lions' 2026 opponents, including the Falcons and Dolphins, are expected to have new leadership.