Checking for the kickoff can feel like a part-time job some weeks. Honestly, if you’re asking what time is the giant game today, you might be looking for something that isn't actually on the calendar. Today is Friday, January 16, 2026, and if you are a fan of the Big Blue, I have some news that might be a little bit of a bummer.
The New York Giants are not playing today. In fact, their season officially wrapped up a couple of weeks ago.
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It was a rough one. They finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a 4-13 record. While they managed to end on a high note by beating the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 on January 4, they didn’t make the cut for the postseason. Because today is a Friday in mid-January, the NFL is currently in the "lull" between the Wild Card round and the Divisional playoffs.
What Time Is The Giant Game Today? The Reality of the 2026 Playoff Schedule
The NFL playoffs are definitely happening right now, but the Giants are watching from home like the rest of us. If you were hoping to catch a game today, you'll notice the Friday night lights are dark. The NFL almost never schedules playoff games on Fridays.
Instead, the Divisional Round is set to kick off tomorrow.
If you are looking for football to scratch that itch, here is how the actual schedule looks for the next 48 hours:
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- Saturday, January 17: The action starts with the Denver Broncos hosting the Buffalo Bills at 4:30 PM ET. Later that night, the Seattle Seahawks take on the San Francisco 49ers at 8:00 PM ET.
- Sunday, January 18: The New England Patriots face the Houston Texans at 3:00 PM ET. The weekend closes out with the Chicago Bears playing the Los Angeles Rams at 6:30 PM ET.
Kinda wild to see the Bears and Lions (who played earlier) making deep runs while the Giants are already scouting for the draft. It’s been a weird year for the NFC East in general.
Why You Might Be Confused About the Schedule
Sometimes search engines get a little tangled up. If you saw a notification about a "Giant game" today, it might be due to a few things. First, the San Francisco Giants (the baseball team) have released their 2026 schedule, but they don't start spring training until late February. Their first game isn't until February 22 against the Cubs.
There's also the chance you're seeing "Giants" mentioned in playoff previews. Since the San Francisco 49ers are playing tomorrow, local Bay Area news often uses "Giants" and "Niners" in the same breath when discussing sports traffic or local bars.
But for the New York football squad? They are currently in "rebuild mode."
Looking Ahead: The 2026 New York Giants Schedule
Since there is no game today, most fans are already pivoting to the future. The NFL recently confirmed the opponents for the 2026 season. While we won't know the exact "what time is the giant game today" answers for the fall until the official schedule drop in May, we do know who they’re playing.
The Giants are slated to face the NFC West and the AFC South next year. That means home games at MetLife against the 49ers, Cardinals, Jaguars, and Titans. They also have to travel to play the Seahawks and Rams.
Key Storylines for the Offseason
- The Coaching Search: With the 2025 season in the rearview mirror, the front office is looking at a massive overhaul. Names like Kevin Stefanski have been floated if he becomes available, though that’s mostly speculation at this point.
- The Quarterback Carousel: The Daniel Jones era feels like it’s officially in a "complicated" status. There are rumors he might even head to Indy, which would make that 2026 away game against the Colts very spicy.
- Draft Position: Picking high in the draft is the only silver lining of a 4-13 season. Fans are already arguing over whether to go for a franchise QB or bolster the offensive line (again).
Actionable Steps for Giants Fans Today
Since you can't watch a game today, here is what you can actually do to stay in the loop:
- Mark May 15 on your calendar: That is the projected window for the 2026 NFL Schedule Release. That is when we will finally know the actual kickoff times for the next season.
- Check the Senior Bowl rosters: Since the Giants are picking early, the Senior Bowl (coming up in early February) is where the real "game" starts for the scouting department.
- Watch the Divisional Round tomorrow: If you want to see what a championship-caliber defense looks like, watch the 49ers at 8:00 PM ET tomorrow. It’s a blueprint the Giants are likely trying to emulate.
Basically, keep the jersey in the closet for now. The road to the 2026-2027 season is long, but it starts with these playoff games that the Giants should have been in.