So you're looking for the game. You've got the snacks ready, the lucky jersey is on, and you’re frantically scrolling through the guide to see what channel is cleveland browns playing on today.
I hate to be the one to break it to you. Honestly, it's a bit of a bummer.
The Cleveland Browns are not playing today, Friday, January 16, 2026.
If you followed the 2025-2026 season, you know why. The Browns wrapped up their regular season back on January 4th with a 20-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. It was a nice way to end things, but it wasn't enough. They finished the year with a 5-12 record. Because of that, they didn't make the cut for the NFL playoffs.
Where Did the Season Go?
While the Browns are sitting at home, the rest of the NFL is gearing up for the Divisional Round. Since today is Friday, there actually isn't any NFL football on at all. The league usually keeps the playoffs to the weekends.
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The real action starts tomorrow, Saturday, January 17th. You’ll see the Buffalo Bills take on the Denver Broncos on CBS and the Seahawks facing the 49ers on FOX. But for the Dawg Pound? The stadium lights at Huntington Bank Field are dark.
It’s been a rough ride. Between the quarterback carousel and some heartbreaking losses—like that 41-17 blowout against the Ravens in Week 2—the postseason just wasn't in the cards. Fans were hoping for a late-season miracle after they beat the Steelers in Week 17, but it was too little, too late.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Schedule
Even though they aren't on the field today, the front office is already looking at 2026. We actually already know who they'll be playing, even if we don't have the exact dates yet. The NFL typically drops the full calendar in the spring, but the opponents are set based on divisional rotations.
Next season, the Browns will host:
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- The AFC North Rivals: Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers (as always).
- Interconference Matchups: The Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, and Carolina Panthers.
- Additional Games: The Las Vegas Raiders will also be coming to Cleveland.
On the road, things look pretty tough. They have to travel to face the Jaguars, Titans, Jets, Saints, Buccaneers, and Giants. If you're planning a road trip, that New Orleans game at the Superdome or a trip to Tampa Bay might be the highlights of your travel calendar.
How to Watch NFL Games Today (and Tomorrow)
Since the Cleveland Browns aren't on, you might still want your football fix. Since it's Friday, January 16, your best bet for sports is probably checking out the NBA or NHL.
However, if you are strictly an NFL person, here is the TV schedule for the Divisional Round starting tomorrow:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET on CBS/Paramount+)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET on FOX)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET on NBC/Peacock)
Basically, if you want to watch the playoffs, you'll need a mix of cable and streaming services. Paramount+ is the go-to for CBS games, while Peacock handles the NBC Sunday night slot.
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What the Browns Need to Fix
Kinda feels like we say this every year, right? The 2026 offseason is going to be massive for Kevin Stefanski and the crew. With a 5-12 record, they’ll have a high draft pick. There’s already massive speculation about whether they’ll look for a new signal-caller or try to bolster a defense that, frankly, looked gassed by November.
The Deshaun Watson era has been... complicated. To put it lightly. Fans are divided, and the salary cap situation makes every move feel like a high-stakes poker game. If you're looking for news today, you're more likely to find mock drafts and coaching rumors than a kickoff time.
Keep an eye on the NFL Combine in late February. That’s when the "real" season starts for teams that missed the playoffs. Until then, you can stop searching for the channel—the Browns are officially in "wait until next year" mode.
Next Steps for Browns Fans:
Check the official Cleveland Browns website or the NFL app in mid-May for the exact 2026 schedule release. If you want to watch the remaining playoff games this weekend, ensure your Paramount+ and Peacock subscriptions are active before the Saturday afternoon kickoff.