So, you’re sitting there, remote in hand, wondering what time do the football game come on tonight. I get it. We’ve been spoiled for months with a non-stop barrage of pigskin from Thursday through Monday. But I have some news that might sting a little: Tonight, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, there is no professional or major college football game on the schedule.
It feels weird, right? We’re in that strange, quiet pocket of January where the regular season is a memory and the postseason hasn't quite reached its peak intensity for the week. Honestly, Wednesday has always been the "dead zone" for football, even in the heart of the playoffs.
The Current State of the 2026 Football Calendar
If you were looking for the NFL, you just missed the wild ride of the Wild Card round. We saw some absolute bangers over the last few days—like the Texans putting a 30-6 clinic on the Steelers and the Bears squeaking past the Packers in a 31-27 thriller. But because the NFL spaces out its playoff rounds to maximize TV ratings and player recovery, we are currently in a mid-week holding pattern.
The league is gearing up for the Divisional Playoffs. Those games don't kick off until this coming Saturday, January 17. So, while you're asking what time do the football game come on tonight, the reality is that the stadium lights are dark for now. The players are currently in film rooms or at practice, not under the primetime lights.
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Why Nothing is On Tonight
Television networks like CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN have a death grip on football scheduling. They know that a Wednesday night game would likely get decent ratings, but it would mess up the "short week" logistics for teams playing on the following Saturday or Sunday.
Instead, tonight’s TV slots are filled with:
- NBA Regular Season Action: Usually the go-to for sports fans on a Wednesday.
- NHL Hockey: Plenty of ice time to fill the void.
- College Basketball: We are deep into conference play, so if you need a fix of high-stakes competition, the hardwood is your best bet.
When the Action Returns: Mark Your Calendar
Since tonight is a wash, you’re probably looking ahead. You want to know when the next meaningful snap happens. We are actually entering one of the best stretches in sports history with the newly expanded College Football Playoff and the NFL Divisional Round.
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NFL Divisional Round Schedule
- Saturday, Jan 17 at 4:30 PM ET: The Buffalo Bills travel to face the Denver Broncos. This is going to be a cold one on CBS.
- Saturday, Jan 17 at 8:00 PM ET: The San Francisco 49ers take on the Seattle Seahawks on FOX.
- Sunday, Jan 18 at 3:00 PM ET: The Houston Texans head to New England to face the Patriots (ESPN/ABC).
- Sunday, Jan 18 at 6:30 PM ET: The Los Angeles Rams meet the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on NBC/Peacock.
The College Football National Championship
If you're a college fan, the wait is almost over too. The big game is set for Monday, January 19, 2026. It’s a matchup nobody predicted at the start of the season: the Indiana Hoosiers vs. the Miami Hurricanes.
Kickoff for the title game is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Basically, if you can hold out for another five days, you’ll see the biggest game in college football history.
What to Do While You Wait
Look, I know staring at a blank "Sports" tab on your streaming app is depressing. Since there isn't a game tonight, most die-hard fans are catching up on the injury reports. For instance, keep an eye on the 49ers' backfield health before that Saturday night showdown in Seattle. The Seahawks' home-field advantage is no joke, especially in a playoff atmosphere.
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You could also dive into the "Special Eligibility" news. Today, January 14, is actually the deadline for college underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft. While it’s not a game you can watch, the news ticker tonight will be flooded with names of stars deciding whether to stay in school or go pro. It’s the "off-field" football game that determines the future of your favorite NFL franchise.
Summary of Upcoming Kickoffs
| Game Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Jan 17 | Bills @ Broncos | 4:30 PM | CBS |
| Saturday, Jan 17 | 49ers @ Seahawks | 8:00 PM | FOX |
| Sunday, Jan 18 | Texans @ Patriots | 3:00 PM | ABC/ESPN |
| Sunday, Jan 18 | Rams @ Bears | 6:30 PM | NBC/Peacock |
| Monday, Jan 19 | Indiana vs. Miami | 7:30 PM | ESPN |
Actionable Next Steps
Since the answer to what time do the football game come on tonight is "not at all," use this time to prep for the weekend. Check your streaming subscriptions—make sure your Peacock or Paramount+ logins still work so you aren't scrambling five minutes before kickoff on Saturday.
If you're a betting person, tonight is the time to look at the opening lines for the Divisional Round before they shift too much. The Broncos are currently narrow favorites at home against Buffalo, but that could change if the weather report in Denver gets nastier. Set your DVRs now for Saturday afternoon so you don't miss a single play of the march toward Super Bowl LX.