If you’re sitting on the couch right now, remote in hand, frantically scrolling through the guide to see what channel is the detroit lions game on today, I have some news that might sting a little. Honestly, you can stop searching. There is no Lions game today, Saturday, January 17, 2026.
It's a tough pill to swallow for the Honolulu Blue faithful. Usually, mid-January means high-stakes playoff football at Ford Field, but the 2025-2026 season didn't exactly go according to Dan Campbell’s plan.
While the NFL Divisional Round is officially kicking off today with a massive double-header, the Detroit Lions are watching from home. They finished the regular season with a 9-8 record, which is respectable in most years, but they were officially eliminated from playoff contention after a heartbreaking Week 17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Real NFL Playoff Schedule for Saturday, Jan 17
Even though our Lions aren't suiting up, there is plenty of high-level football happening. If you just want to see some elite hits and touchdown celebrations, here is who is actually playing today and where you can catch them.
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The Afternoon Slot (4:30 PM ET): Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
This one is huge. The Broncos managed to secure the top seed in the AFC, and they’re hosting a dangerous Buffalo team. You can find this game on CBS. If you’ve cut the cord, you can stream it live on Paramount+. It’s basically the "Josh Allen vs. The Altitude" show.
The Primetime Slot (8:00 PM ET): San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
An all-NFC West divisional battle. These two teams know each other too well. This game is airing on FOX. For those of you on mobile or using smart TVs without cable, the FOX Sports app or Fubo are your best bets.
What Happened to the Lions?
It’s kinda wild to think about how close they were. People are still talking about that Week 18 win over the Chicago Bears—a 19-16 victory that felt great in the moment but ended up being a "too little, too late" situation.
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The defense had some bright spots, obviously. Jack Campbell and Penei Sewell both pulled in First-Team All-Pro honors, and Aidan Hutchinson was a nightmare for quarterbacks all year. But the consistency just wasn't there. Losing four out of their last five games in December and early January is what really did them in. That Christmas Day loss to the Vikings (23-10) was the final nail in the coffin.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since you won't be watching them today, you might as well look at who they’re playing next season. The 2026 opponents are already set because of how the NFL scheduling rotation works.
Because the Lions finished fourth in the NFC North, they’ve got a unique schedule coming up. They’ll play the usual suspects—Vikings, Packers, and Bears—twice each. But they also have home games lined up against the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, and the Tennessee Titans.
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Road trips for 2026 include stops in Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Miami, and Arizona. It’s not an easy road back to the playoffs, but with the core they have, the hope is always there.
How to Watch Football Without the Lions
If you are still determined to use your TV today, you have a few ways to access the games that are on:
- Antenna: Since the games are on CBS and FOX, a cheap digital antenna will get you the local broadcast for free.
- Streaming Services: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo all carry the major networks.
- NFL+: You can watch live local and primetime postseason games on your phone or tablet with this subscription, though it doesn't always work for the big screen.
Actionable Next Steps
Since there’s no Lions game, here is how you can stay productive or at least entertained:
- Check the 2026 Draft Order: Now that the season is over, the focus shifts to the NFL Draft. See where Detroit is picking and which defensive backs might be available.
- Scout the Competition: Watch the 49ers vs. Seahawks game tonight on FOX. These are the teams the Lions will have to leapfrog next year if they want to get back to the top of the NFC.
- Update Your Calendar: The 2026 regular-season schedule won't be officially released until May, but you can already look at the "Home/Away" opponent list to start planning road trips.
It’s a bummer not seeing the silver and blue on the field today, but that’s the reality of the 9-8 finish. Grab a drink, enjoy the Bills-Broncos game, and start counting down the days until training camp.