You’ve got the chips, the Honolulu Blue jersey is out of the closet, and the living room is prepped. But as you scroll through the guide, things look a little different. If you’re asking what channel is the Lions game on today, the answer depends entirely on whether you’re looking for the NFL squad or their collegiate counterparts.
Here is the hard truth for the Pride: The Detroit Lions are not playing today, January 15, 2026.
Their 2025-2026 season officially wrapped up on January 4. It was a rollercoaster. They finished with a 19-16 victory over the Chicago Bears, which was a sweet way to go out, but a 9-8 record just wasn't enough to squeeze into the NFC playoffs this year. While the Bears, Rams, and 49ers are still battling it out in the Divisional Round this weekend, Detroit is already looking toward the draft.
Wait, Is There a Different Lions Game?
Actually, yes. If your TV schedule is showing a "Lions" game for tonight, Thursday, January 15, you’re likely seeing the Lindenwood Lions.
They are hitting a massive milestone tonight. For the first time in their Division I era, the Lindenwood men's basketball team is playing on a national stage. They are facing off against SEMO (Southeast Missouri State).
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- Channel: ESPNU
- Time: 8:00 PM CT (9:00 PM ET)
- Location: Show Me Center, Cape Girardeau, Mo.
It's a huge deal for that program. Anias Futrell has been playing out of his mind lately, coming off a 30-point game, so if you need a sports fix and want to root for a team called the Lions, that's your destination tonight.
Why the Detroit Lions Aren't in the Postseason
It feels weird, right? After the success of the last couple of years, seeing the playoffs move forward without Dan Campbell on the sidelines is a gut punch. Honestly, the NFC North was just a gauntlet this year.
Detroit lost some massive pieces of their identity when Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn moved on to head coaching gigs elsewhere. That kind of brain drain is hard to overcome in a single offseason. They finished fourth in the division, which sounds worse than it actually was. In many other years, 9-8 gets you a Wild Card spot. In 2026? You're sitting on the couch watching the Vikings and Bears move on.
The silver lining is the "fourth-place schedule" they just earned for next year. Because they finished at the bottom of the North, their 2026 opponents list looks significantly more manageable. They’ll be facing the cellar-dwellers of the NFC East, NFC West, and AFC South.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Detroit Lions Schedule
Since there isn't a game on the dial today, fans are already pivoting to the 2026 calendar. We don't have the exact dates yet—the NFL usually drops those in May—but we know exactly who is coming to Ford Field.
Home Opponents at Ford Field
- Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings (The usual suspects)
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
The Giants game is already circling the rumor mill because of the coaching changes in New York. Rumors are swirling that John Harbaugh might be taking over the G-Men, which would set up a fascinating chess match against Detroit’s revamped staff.
Away Games
- The Divisional rivals (Chicago, GB, Minnesota)
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Carolina Panthers
- Arizona Cardinals
Where to Watch the Rest of the NFL Playoffs
If you’re just a fan of the sport and want to see who eventually makes it to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, you’ll have to wait until Saturday. There is no NFL game today, January 15. The league stopped doing Thursday games once the playoffs started to ensure teams have enough recovery time for the high-stakes rounds.
Saturday, January 17:
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- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: 4:30 PM ET on CBS
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: 8:00 PM ET on FOX
Sunday, January 18:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:30 PM ET on NBC
Actionable Steps for Lions Fans
Since the "what channel is the Lions game on today" query led you to an empty Ford Field, here is how you can actually prep for the upcoming months:
- Mark the Draft: The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Detroit is sitting with the No. 17 overall pick.
- Scout the Seniors: With the college bowl season ending, keep an eye on defensive tackle prospects. The Lions' run defense struggled down the stretch, and that #17 pick is prime territory for a trench monster.
- Check the UFL: If you really need spring football, the UFL season usually kicks off shortly after the Super Bowl. It’s a great way to see which fringe players might end up on the Lions' training camp roster.
- Update Your Apps: Make sure your NFL and Detroit Lions official apps are set to "2026 Season" mode so you don't miss the schedule release in the spring.
The hunt for a Super Bowl ring is on ice for now, but the offseason in Detroit is never quiet. Keep an eye on the waiver wire as the new league year approaches in March.