If you’re waking up on this Sunday, January 18, 2026, and frantically Googling what time is the lions playing today, I’ve got some news that’s gonna sting a little. You might want to sit down. Grab a coffee. Maybe a donut from Dutch Girl.
The Detroit Lions are not playing today.
Actually, the Lions aren’t playing at all this week. Their season ended a few weeks ago after a gritty but ultimately heartbreaking 19-16 win over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. While it was nice to end the year with a victory, that 8-9 final record just wasn't enough to punch a ticket to the postseason. It’s a weird feeling, right? After two years of winning 12 and 15 games, being on the outside looking in during the Divisional Round feels like a glitch in the matrix.
The NFL Divisional Round Schedule for January 18, 2026
Even though Dan Campbell’s squad isn't taking the field, there is plenty of football happening today. If you're a fan of the game (or just looking for something to have on while you brood about the NFC North standings), here is the lineup for today's NFL Divisional Round.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
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- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN / ABC
- The Vibe: A massive AFC clash. New England is a 3.5-point favorite, and the over/under is sitting at 40.5. It's expected to be a defensive slog in the Foxborough cold.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC / Peacock
- The Vibe: This one hits close to home for Lions fans. The Bears—the same team Detroit just beat in Week 18—are hosting a playoff game at Soldier Field. It’s a primetime matchup under the lights in Chicago, and the Rams are looking to play spoiler as the 5-seed.
Honestly, seeing the Bears in the Divisional Round while the Lions are at home is a tough pill to swallow. But that’s the reality of the 2025-2026 NFL season. Injuries and a mid-season slump really took the wind out of Detroit’s sails.
Why the Lions Aren't Playing Today
It’s easy to point fingers at specific plays, but the 2025 season was a "perfect storm" of bad luck.
Remember the second half of the year? It felt like every time we checked the injury report, another starter was headed to IR. The secondary took some massive hits, and the offensive line—usually our greatest strength—struggled with consistency. GM Brad Holmes has already started the "post-mortem" on the season. During his recent press conferences, he made it clear that while 8-9 isn't the standard, the foundation is still there.
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One of the brightest spots, though, was Jameson Williams. He just wrapped up his fourth season with career bests: 65 catches and 1,117 yards. He’s been vocal this week, telling reporters like John Maakaron that his main goal for the 2026 offseason is simply getting stronger. He’s tired of being pushed around in traffic on those deep routes. If Jamo adds another 10-15 pounds of muscle without losing that elite speed? 2026 is going to be scary for opposing corners.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since you're not spending your afternoon screaming at the TV for Detroit, you might be wondering who we actually play next year. The 2026 opponents have already been locked in based on the final standings.
Because the Lions finished fourth in the NFC North (thanks to a season sweep by the Vikings), the 2026 schedule actually looks somewhat favorable. We'll be playing a "fourth-place schedule," which means we draw the bottom-tier teams from other divisions.
Home Games at Ford Field in 2026:
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- Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings (The usual suspects)
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
Away Games in 2026:
- Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Miami Dolphins
- Arizona Cardinals
That road trip to Miami and Arizona sounds a lot better than a January game in Buffalo, but we'll see how the dates shake out when the full schedule drops in May.
What about the Trois-Rivières Lions?
Just a quick side note for the truly dedicated "Lions" fans out there—if you're actually looking for hockey, the Trois-Rivières Lions (the ECHL affiliate) are actually playing today! They’re taking on the Adirondack Thunder at 3:00 PM ET. So, technically, some Lions are playing today, just not the ones wearing Honolulu Blue and Silver.
Actionable Steps for Lions Fans Today
Don't let the lack of a Lions game ruin your Sunday. Here is how you can stay productive and keep the "One Pride" spirit alive while the rest of the NFC battles it out.
- Watch the Rams vs. Bears game at 6:30 PM. It’s important to scout the competition. Watching how the Rams' defense handles the Bears' offense might give us some clues on what Detroit needs to prioritize in the draft.
- Check out the latest Mock Drafts. Since the Lions' draft position is officially set, experts like Dane Brugler are already pairing Detroit with potential successors to Taylor Decker or much-needed help in the secondary.
- Follow the Jameson Williams "Bulking" Journey. Keep an eye on social media updates regarding Jamo’s offseason training. His physical development is arguably the biggest storyline heading into the spring.
- Process the "Rebirth" Narrative. Local Detroit media, including the folks at Woodward Sports, are already doing deep dives into how the Lions can "take back the throne" in the North. It’s a long offseason, but the hype starts now.
The quest for a Super Bowl isn't dead; it's just on a temporary hiatus. We’ll be back. For now, enjoy the playoffs as a neutral observer and start counting down the days until the 2026 kickoff.
Next Steps:
Go ahead and bookmark the 2026 NFL Offseason calendar. Key dates like the Scouting Combine and the start of Free Agency are just around the corner, and that's where the 2026 Lions roster will truly begin to take shape.