If you just sat down on your couch, cracked a cold one, and started frantically scrolling through your guide asking what is the score of the Thursday Night game, I have some news that might sting a little. There is no score. There isn't even a game. Honestly, it’s that weird mid-January limbo where the regular season rhythm we’ve lived by since September finally breaks, and the NFL takes a collective breath before the Divisional Round chaos begins.
You're not alone in the confusion. For eighteen weeks, Thursday meant football. It was a ritual. But as of January 15, 2026, the "Thursday Night Football" schedule on Prime Video has officially wrapped up for the season. We are deep in the playoffs now.
The short answer: What is the score of the Thursday Night game?
The score is 0-0 because the game doesn't exist. The NFL intentionally avoids scheduling playoff games on Thursday nights. Why? Well, it’s basically about rest and competitive balance. Asking a team to play a high-stakes playoff game on four days of rest would be a recipe for bad football and even worse injuries.
Instead, the league pushes everything to the weekend. While you might be staring at a blank screen tonight, the "real" games—the ones that determine who actually goes to the Super Bowl—are lurking just 48 hours away.
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Where the 2026 NFL Playoffs stand right now
We just came off a Wild Card weekend that was, frankly, exhausting to watch. We saw the Buffalo Bills squeeze past the Jaguars 27-24. We watched the Chicago Bears pull off a miracle 25-point fourth quarter to stun the world. If you were looking for the Houston Texans score, they absolutely dismantled the Steelers 30-6 earlier this week on Monday night.
Since that Monday night finale, the league has been quiet. That's why there’s no Thursday game. The teams are traveling. Coaches are buried in film.
The Divisional Round Schedule (Saturday & Sunday)
Since you can't watch a game tonight, here is exactly when you need to be back on the couch. This is where the season actually gets decided.
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- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: Saturday, Jan 17 at 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS). The Broncos are coming off a bye as the #1 seed. They’re rested. The Bills are scrappy. This is going to be a cold one in Denver.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: Saturday, Jan 17 at 8:00 p.m. ET (FOX). An old-school NFC West bloodbath. The 49ers just beat the Eagles, and now they have to go into the loudest stadium in the league.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: Sunday, Jan 18 at 3:00 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN). Drake Maye vs. the Texans' pass rush. CJ Stroud is playing like a man possessed lately.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: Sunday, Jan 18 at 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC). Caleb Williams at home in the playoffs. It’s the game every neutral fan is circling.
Why we keep searching for Thursday scores in January
It’s muscle memory. We’ve been conditioned. From the moment the season kicks off in September, Thursday night is the appetizer for the weekend. Amazon Prime has spent millions of dollars making sure you know that Thursday equals football.
But once the calendar hits the playoffs, the "Thursday Night Football" branding disappears. It’s a broadcast rights thing, mostly. Amazon’s deal is for regular-season games. Once we hit the postseason, the big legacy networks—CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN—take back the reins.
What happened to the "Thursday Night" regulars?
If you're missing the usual TNF crew, you'll have to wait until next September. The 2025-2026 regular season saw some wild Thursday moments. Remember the Rams and Seahawks overtime thriller back in Week 16? Or the Lions putting up 44 on the Cowboys? Those games felt like they happened a lifetime ago, but they were the reason we’re all so used to checking the score on a Thursday night.
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A quick look at non-NFL scores tonight
If you absolutely need a sports fix and "what is the score of the Thursday night game" led you here, there is plenty of other action happening.
In the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder just blew the doors off the Houston Rockets, winning 111-91. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up 20 points, and the Thunder's defense in the fourth quarter was just suffocating. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs handled the Milwaukee Bucks 119-101.
On the college side, it's a huge night for basketball. Sacramento State just snapped a losing streak by beating Northern Arizona 83-69. If you follow women's hoops, Vanderbilt just made history with an 89-84 win over Mississippi State, marking their best start to a season ever.
Actionable steps for your weekend football prep
Since there’s no NFL game tonight, use this time to get your setup ready for the Divisional Round.
- Check your local listings: Saturday's games start early. If you're on the West Coast, that 1:30 p.m. kickoff for Bills-Broncos comes fast.
- Update your streaming apps: Make sure your Peacock, Paramount+, and NFL+ subscriptions are active. You don't want to be troubleshooting a login during a two-minute drill.
- Watch the weather: Denver and Seattle are both looking at messy conditions this weekend. This usually favors the run game and the under. If you’re into the betting side of things, the Broncos are currently 1.5-point favorites over the Bills.
- Prepare for the National Championship: While you're waiting for the NFL, remember that college football is hitting its peak. Indiana and Miami are set to play for the title on Monday night. It's the first time IU has ever been in this position, and the hype is unreal.
The search for what is the score of the Thursday Night game usually ends in disappointment this time of year, but the trade-off is worth it. We’re trading a mid-level Thursday matchup for four of the best football games you’ll see all year. Clear your schedule for Saturday. The real season starts now.