If you’re waking up this Saturday, January 17, 2026, and frantically scrolling through your guide for Honolulu Blue, I have some news that might sting a little. You won’t find the Lions on your TV screen today.
Honestly, it’s a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase that has seen some real highs lately. But here is the reality of the situation: the Detroit Lions are officially in "next year" mode. While the NFL Divisional Round kicks off today with a double-header, Detroit isn't part of the bracket.
The short answer to what channel is the Detroit Lions football game on today
The Detroit Lions do not have a game today. Their 2025-2026 season wrapped up a couple of weeks ago. If you were hoping to catch a local broadcast on FOX 2 Detroit or a national slot on NBC, you'll mostly see other teams battling for a spot in the NFC Championship.
It feels weird, right? After the grit we saw last season, everyone expected a deeper playoff run. Instead, the Lions finished the regular season with a 9-8 record. While they managed to secure their fourth consecutive winning season—a feat that would have seemed like a miracle a decade ago—it wasn't quite enough to jump over the Chicago Bears or the Green Bay Packers in a hyper-competitive NFC North.
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Who is playing today instead?
Just because the Lions aren't on doesn't mean the TV is staying off. Today is a massive day for the NFL playoffs. If you still want to scratch that football itch, here is what is actually on your television:
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. You can also stream this one on Paramount+.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: This is the primetime slot at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
Seeing the Seahawks and Niners duking it out for the NFC crown probably hurts. Many Lions fans felt this was the year Detroit would be the one hosting a Divisional game at Ford Field. Instead, we're watching Jared Goff’s former rivals fight for the trophy.
Why the Lions missed the 2026 Divisional Round
Basically, it came down to a rough stretch in late December. The Lions suffered a three-game skid that really deflated their momentum. While they ended the season on a high note by beating the Chicago Bears 19-16 on January 4, the damage was already done.
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Minnesota swept Detroit this season, which effectively locked the Lions into fourth place in the division. In the NFL, "fourth place" usually means you're watching the playoffs from your couch.
Despite the record, there’s plenty of nuance here. The Lions aren't a "bad" team—they're just in a division that turned into a buzzsaw this year. Finishing 9-8 and missing the playoffs is a far cry from the 0-16 days, but it’s a reminder of how slim the margins are in professional football.
Looking ahead: The 2026 Detroit Lions schedule
Since there is no game to watch today, we might as well look at what’s coming. The NFL has already finalized the opponents for the 2026 season. If you're planning your fall weekends, here is a glimpse of who is coming to Detroit:
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- Home Games at Ford Field: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, and the New York Giants.
- Road Matchups: Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and Arizona Cardinals.
The Lions will have nine home games next year, which is a nice advantage. Plus, they’ve secured the No. 17 pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Where to get your Lions fix today
Since the answer to what channel is the Detroit Lions football game on today is "none," you might want some alternative content.
You can head over to the official Lions app or YouTube channel. They’ve been dropping a lot of "Season in Review" content and early draft profiles. The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, and the front office is already deep into scouting.
If you absolutely must watch football today, turn on the 49ers-Seahawks game on FOX. It’s the best way to scout the competition for next year. The NFC is wide open, and even though today is a quiet one for Detroit, the window for this roster is still very much open.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Draft Board: Start looking at mock drafts for the No. 17 pick. The Lions likely need to bolster the secondary or look for more edge-rushing depth.
- Audit Your Subscriptions: If you only have Paramount+ or Peacock for the Lions, you might want to pause them until the preseason begins in August.
- Watch the Divisional Games: Use today's games to see how the elite NFC teams are playing. It gives a good benchmark for what Detroit needs to do to close the gap by next January.