You’re staring at the remote, scrolling through the guide, and wondering why the purple and gold haven't popped up yet. Honestly, it’s a bit of a gut punch for the Skol faithful. If you’re searching for what channel Vikings game is on today, January 18, 2026, I’ve got some news that might sting: the Minnesota Vikings aren't playing.
They finished their regular season with a respectable 9-8 record, capped off by a satisfying 16-3 win over the Green Bay Packers on January 4th. But despite that late-season surge and a five-game win streak to close out the year, they didn't quite make the cut for the 2026 NFL Divisional Round.
Instead of watching Justin Jefferson haul in touchdowns, we’re left watching other NFC rivals battle it out for a spot in the Championship games.
Where the NFL Playoffs Stand Today
Since you're likely a football junkie if you're looking for the game, there’s still plenty of high-stakes action happening this Sunday. Even without the Vikings, the Divisional Round is usually the best weekend of football all year.
Here is the actual TV schedule for today, January 18, 2026:
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
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- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN and ABC
- The Vibe: This is a classic "new guard vs. old guard" matchup. You've got the high-flying Texans offense taking on a Patriots team that somehow always finds a way to be relevant in January.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC and Peacock
- The Story: This is the big one for Vikings fans to keep an eye on. Since it's an NFC North rival (the Bears) playing at home in Soldier Field, it’s basically a "scouting trip" for next season.
If you’re trying to stream these, the ESPN app, Fubo, and Peacock are your best bets. But yeah, the Vikings are currently in "offseason mode," likely tucked away in Eagan, Minnesota, figuring out how to turn that 9-8 record into a deeper run next year.
What Happened to the Vikings' Postseason?
It’s kinda wild when you look at how the 2025-26 season unfolded. The Vikings started off 4-8. Things looked grim. Fans were talking about draft picks and "rebuilding years" by early December.
Then, Kevin O'Connell somehow rallied the troops. They went on a tear, winning their last five games. They beat the Commanders, the Cowboys (at Jerry World, no less!), the Giants, and the Lions. Beating the Packers in the finale felt like a playoff win, but the math just didn't work out.
The Green Bay Packers actually finished at 9-7-1, which, thanks to that tie, technically kept them ahead in the tiebreaking scenarios for the final NFC Wild Card spot. It's the kind of technicality that makes you want to throw your remote through a window.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Minnesota Vikings Schedule
Since we can't answer what channel Vikings game is on for today, let’s talk about when you can see them next. The NFL has already released the home and away opponents for the 2026 regular season.
Minnesota's 2026 schedule looks tough. Really tough. They’ll be facing the AFC East and the NFC South.
2026 Home Opponents at U.S. Bank Stadium:
- Chicago Bears (Divisional)
- Detroit Lions (Divisional)
- Green Bay Packers (Divisional)
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Washington Commanders
- Indianapolis Colts
2026 Road Opponents:
- Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay
- New Orleans Saints (Always a loud one)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- San Francisco 49ers
Basically, the Vikings will be traveling to some of the most difficult venues in the league next year. Levi's Stadium in San Francisco is never an easy out, and a road trip to New Orleans usually means dealing with a deafening Superdome crowd.
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How to Watch Next Season
When the 2026 season kicks off in September, you'll find the Vikings on the usual suspects: FOX (for most NFC games), CBS (for AFC crossovers), NBC (for Sunday Night Football), and ESPN/ABC (for Monday Night Football).
Also, keep in mind that Netflix has started getting into the NFL game—the Vikings played the Lions on Netflix this past Christmas. It’s becoming a bit of a mess to keep track of, but that's the modern NFL.
Actionable Next Steps for Vikings Fans
Since there's no game today, here is how you can stay productive and ready for the next "Skol" chant:
- Check the Draft Order: Since the Vikings finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs, they’ll likely be picking in the middle of the first round. Start looking at mock drafts for 2026—interior defensive line and maybe another playmaker on the edge are likely high on the list.
- Audit Your Streaming Subs: If you only have Peacock or Paramount+ for football, you might want to pause those subscriptions after the Super Bowl (February 8, 2026) to save some cash during the offseason.
- Watch the Bears vs. Rams: Honestly, watching the Bears lose is the next best thing to a Vikings win. That game starts at 6:30 PM ET on NBC today.
While searching for what channel Vikings game today might have led to a dead end, the silver lining is that the team finished the year with momentum. In the NFL, a five-game win streak to end the season usually means big things for the following year.
Grab some wings, flip to ABC at 3:00 PM, and just enjoy being a spectator for once. The stress of being a Vikings fan is on a temporary hiatus.