If you’re frantically searching for what time is the Detroit Lions game on today, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, I have some news that might sting a little. Honestly, it’s not the news anyone in Metro Detroit wanted to hear after the highs of the last few seasons.
The Lions aren't playing today.
In fact, the Detroit Lions’ 2025-2026 season officially came to a close on Sunday, January 4, 2026. They finished things off with a 19-16 win over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. While a winning record of 9-8 usually smells like a playoff berth in the "old" NFL, the NFC North was a complete gauntlet this year. Because the Vikings swept Detroit and the Bears surged late, Dan Campbell’s squad found themselves on the outside looking in.
It’s a weird feeling. For the first time in a while, we're heading into the middle of January without a Lions game to plan our weekends around.
Why isn't there a game today?
NFL playoff games don't actually happen on Tuesdays. Even if the Lions had made the Wild Card round, those games wrapped up yesterday, Monday, January 12. The final game of that opening round saw the Houston Texans taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Lions finished fourth in the NFC North. That’s the brutal reality of the current divisional landscape. Even though they secured their fourth consecutive winning season, the tiebreakers just didn't fall their way. If you’re looking at the TV schedule and seeing "NFL" listed, you’re likely seeing post-game analysis or the start of the hype machine for the Divisional Round, which kicks off this coming Saturday, January 17.
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The 2026 Schedule: Who the Lions play next
Since the season is over, the question shifts from "what time is the Detroit Lions game on" to "when do we see them again?"
We already know the 2026 opponents because of how the NFL’s rotating schedule works. Since Detroit finished fourth in the division, they actually get a "fourth-place schedule" next year, which might be the silver lining we need to get back to the top.
Home Games at Ford Field:
- Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings (The usual suspects).
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
Road Games:
- Chicago, Green Bay, and Minnesota
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Carolina Panthers
- Arizona Cardinals
Basically, the Lions are trading the playoff pressure of January for an offseason focused on the draft and fixing the defensive secondary.
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Understanding the "What Time" confusion
Sometimes Google results get a bit messy with old data. Last year—January 2025—the Lions played a high-stakes Monday night game on January 13. If you're seeing "8:00 PM" or "Wild Card" info pop up, your phone might be feeding you "On This Day" style memories or outdated search snippets.
In 2026, the league has moved on to the Divisional Round. The remaining teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Denver Broncos are the ones sucking up the airtime right now.
It’s frustrating.
You’ve got the jersey ready. The wings are probably already in the freezer. But the lights at Ford Field are dimmed for the winter.
What to watch instead
If you’re still itching for football, the Divisional Round starts Saturday.
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- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos.
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (Yes, the Bears moved on).
Seeing Chicago in the playoffs while Detroit sits at home is a tough pill to swallow. It’s the first time since the Dan Campbell era really took off that the momentum felt like it hit a brick wall.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Draft
The next big "game" for Lions fans isn't on a field. It's the NFL Draft. Since the Lions aren't playing in the Super Bowl on February 8 in Santa Clara, the front office is already scouting.
Brad Holmes has been a wizard in the mid-rounds. With a fourth-place finish, the Lions will have a better draft position than they’ve had in years. We’re likely looking at a pick in the mid-teens. That’s prime territory for a shutdown corner or another disruptive edge rusher to pair with Hutchinson.
So, while you won't find a Detroit Lions game on today, the 2026 cycle has already begun. Check back in April for the schedule release to see exactly when the season opener at Ford Field will be.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Clear your Tuesday night: There is no NFL game tonight for any team.
- Monitor the Divisional Schedule: If you need a football fix, the next games start Saturday, January 17, at 4:30 PM ET.
- Check the 2026 Ticket Waitlist: With the opponents already announced, season ticket renewals and waitlist movements usually start by late February.