You’re probably sitting there, remote in hand, wondering what preseason NFL games are on today, only to realize something feels... off. The air is crisp. People are wearing parkas in the stands. There’s a distinct lack of third-string quarterbacks fighting for a roster spot in 90-degree heat.
If you’re looking for preseason action on January 16, 2026, I’ve got some news that might hurt: you’re about six months early—or five months late, depending on how you view the calendar.
We aren't in the preseason. Honestly, we’re at the absolute peak of the "win or go home" part of the year. Today is Friday. The NFL Divisional Round kicks off tomorrow. While the term "preseason" usually trends in August, this time of year is actually about the heavyweights.
The Reality Check: No Preseason Football Today
Let’s get the facts straight. There are zero preseason NFL games on today. The NFL preseason is a summer ritual, strictly occurring in August.
By January 16, 2026, the league is deep into the postseason. If you’re seeing "preseason" headlines right now, they’re likely talking about the Philadelphia Union or other MLS teams that actually start their exhibition matches in January. Or, perhaps, you're just a very organized fan already planning for the Hall of Fame game in August 2026.
Why You Might Be Confused
It happens. The NFL schedule is a behemoth. Between the international games, the expanded 17-game season, and the Monday night playoff slots, it’s easy to lose track of the phase we're in.
- Preseason: Happens in August.
- Regular Season: September through early January.
- Postseason: Right now.
Basically, if you turn on the TV today expecting to see rookies from the Carolina Panthers or Denver Broncos "shaking off the rust," you’re going to find talking heads analyzing "Brock Purdy’s deep ball" or "the Patriots' pass rush" instead.
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What’s Actually Happening Today in the NFL?
While there aren't games today (Friday), the league is in a total frenzy. It’s the calm before the Divisional Round storm. This is the weekend where the No. 1 seeds—the Denver Broncos in the AFC and the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC—finally get back on the field after their bye week.
Instead of what preseason NFL games are on today, fans are obsessively checking the injury reports for tomorrow’s double-header.
The Saturday Slate (January 17, 2026)
If you can hold out for 24 hours, the real football starts.
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This kicks off at 4:30 PM ET on CBS. The Bills just narrowly escaped the Jaguars in the Wild Card round (27-24), and now they have to face a rested Broncos squad at Mile High.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: An 8:00 PM ET start on FOX. This is a brutal NFC West rivalry. The 49ers just bruised their way past the Eagles, but the Seahawks have been resting, waiting to unleash the "Legion of Boom 2.0" at home.
The Sunday Slate (January 18, 2026)
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:00 PM ET on ABC. The Texans absolutely dismantled the Steelers (30-6) last week. But C.J. Stroud is heading into Foxborough, which is a different beast entirely in January.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:30 PM ET on NBC. The Bears won a thriller against the Packers to get here. Now they host a Rams team that just bounced the Panthers.
The "January Preseason" Misconception
Why do people search for preseason games in the middle of winter? It sounds silly, but there’s a logic to it.
Some fans use "preseason" as a catch-all term for any game that doesn't "count" toward the championship. But in the NFL, every game in January counts for everything. Others might be looking for the East-West Shrine Bowl or the Senior Bowl. These are "all-star" type games for college players entering the draft.
The East-West Shrine Bowl is scheduled for January 27, 2026, in Frisco, Texas. The Senior Bowl follows on January 31 in Mobile, Alabama. These are the closest things you’ll find to "exhibition" football this month, as they feature the next generation of stars trying to impress scouts.
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Misconceptions About the 2026 NFL Calendar
A lot of folks get tripped up by the "League Year."
The 2025 season actually ends in February 2026 with Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. The new league year (the 2026 season) doesn't technically start until March 11, 2026.
So, when you ask about preseason NFL games on today, you’re technically asking about the 2026 preseason, which won't even have a schedule released until May.
The Real 2026 Preseason Timeline
If you really want to mark your calendar for the actual preseason:
- May 2026: The official schedule is released.
- Late July 2026: Training camps open across the country.
- August 6, 2026 (Estimated): The Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
- Mid-August 2026: Preseason Week 1 begins.
How to Get Your Football Fix Today
Since there’s no live NFL action on this Friday, you’ve got a few options to satisfy that craving before the Divisional Round starts tomorrow.
Watch "NFL Total Access" or "The Insiders"
NFL Network is basically on high alert today. They’ll be breaking down the obliques of Sam Darnold and the concussion protocol for Nico Collins. It’s the best way to see the "preseason-style" depth chart analysis but with much higher stakes.
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Check Out Other Sports
If you just want live sports now, the NBA is in full swing. The Cleveland Cavaliers are actually playing the Philadelphia 76ers tonight (January 16). It's a massive Eastern Conference matchup. Tyrese Maxey and Donovan Mitchell are healthy, which is more than most NFL teams can say right now.
Rewind on NFL+
If you’re genuinely looking for preseason vibes, you can use NFL+ to watch archives of the 2025 preseason games. You can see how players like VJ Edgecombe (who’s somehow a name in every sports conversation lately) or other rookies looked before they became household names.
Actionable Steps for Today
Since you can't watch a preseason game today, here is how you should actually prepare for the football that is coming:
- Update Your Streaming Apps: Make sure your Paramount+, Peacock, and FOX Sports apps are logged in. Tomorrow's games are spread across multiple platforms.
- Check the Weather in Denver and Seattle: If you're betting or just curious about the game flow, the weather for tomorrow's Bills-Broncos game is looking brutal. High-altitude cold changes everything.
- Set Your Alerts for the Senior Bowl: If you like the "scouting" aspect of the preseason, the Senior Bowl rosters are being finalized this week. That’s where the real "preseason" style evaluation is happening for the 2026 draft class.
Stop looking for what preseason NFL games are on today and start clearing your schedule for tomorrow. The Divisional Round is arguably the best weekend of the entire year. Don't waste it looking for exhibition games that won't happen for another 200 days.
Get your snacks ready for the Bills and Broncos tomorrow afternoon. That's where the real action is.