It is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you woke up this morning, threw on your favorite Honolulu Blue hoodie, and started frantically scrolling through your guide to find out what channel is the Detroit Lions playing on today, I have some news that might sting a little bit.
Honestly, it’s not the news any Lions fan wants to hear on a Divisional Round Sunday. The Detroit Lions are not playing today.
While the NFL playoffs are in full swing with two massive Divisional Round matchups scheduled for this afternoon and evening, the Lions' season officially came to an end a couple of weeks ago. They finished their 2025-2026 campaign with a 9-8 record. Despite a gritty 19-16 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 18, Dan Campbell’s squad missed the cut for the postseason.
Who is playing on the NFL schedule today?
Since you've already got the chips and dip ready, you might as well see who actually made it to the dance. Today’s slate features the second half of the Divisional Round. Yesterday saw the Denver Broncos take down the Buffalo Bills and the Seattle Seahawks crush the San Francisco 49ers.
Today, the action shifts to the AFC and NFC North representative:
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- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: This one kicks off at 3:05 p.m. ET. You can catch this game on ESPN and ABC. If you're a cord-cutter, it’s streaming on ESPN+.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: This is the primetime slot at 6:40 p.m. ET. It’s airing on NBC. For those streaming, Peacock is your go-to.
It’s kinda wild to see the Bears in this position after the Lions beat them to close out the season. But that's the NFL for you. The Bears finished 11-6, secured a higher seed, and after winning their Wild Card game, they're hosting a playoff game at Soldier Field today while Detroit watches from the couch.
Why the Lions missed the 2026 playoffs
So, what happened? Basically, the NFC North was a meat grinder this year. The Vikings and Bears both surged, and while Detroit stayed competitive, a rough patch in December really did them in.
They lost three straight games against the Steelers, Vikings (on Christmas Day), and Rams. Those three weeks were the difference between a playoff berth and a "what if" season. Even though they played spoiler against Chicago in the finale, the math just didn't add up in their favor.
The silver lining? This team isn't bottoming out. Finishing 9-8 after a rollercoaster year shows the culture is still there, but the roster clearly needs a few more pieces—specifically on the defensive side of the ball—to keep up with the high-octane offenses in the NFC.
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Looking ahead: The Detroit Lions 2026 opponents
Since you can't watch them today, you might be wondering when you can see them back on your screen. The NFL has already locked in the opponents for the 2026 season based on the final 2025 standings.
Because the Lions finished fourth in the NFC North, they actually get a "fourth-place" schedule next year, which might be the break they need to get back to the top of the division.
2026 Home Games at Ford Field:
- Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
- New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New York Jets, New England Patriots
- Tennessee Titans, New York Giants
2026 Road Games:
- Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
- Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
- Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
- Arizona Cardinals
Where to watch the rest of the NFL playoffs
If you still want to scratch that football itch today even without the Lions, you've got plenty of options. Most people forget that "national" games are actually easier to find than the weird regional blackouts we deal with in the regular season.
If you have a digital antenna, you’re golden for the Rams-Bears game on NBC. For the Texans-Patriots game, you’ll need a cable sub or a streaming service that carries ABC/ESPN.
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Pro Tip: If you're trying to save a few bucks, most of these services like YouTube TV or Fubo offer free trials that would easily cover the rest of the playoffs through the Super Bowl on February 8.
The 2026 NFL season was a wild ride for Detroit. From the high of a 52-21 blowout against the Bears in Week 2 to the frustration of the Christmas Day loss in Minnesota, it never lacked drama. While it's disappointing not to see them on the schedule today, the foundation is clearly there.
Next Steps for Lions Fans:
Check out the 2026 NFL Draft order. Since the Lions are out, focus shifts to April. They’ll be picking in the middle of the first round, and with some savvy scouting, they could land the defensive playmaker needed to ensure that next year, we're actually looking for a kickoff time on Divisional Sunday.