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You've probably woken up, grabbed your coffee, and started hunting for the kickoff. It’s Wednesday, January 14, 2026. If you are looking for what time the playoff games today are scheduled to start, I have some news that might be a little annoying, or maybe a relief depending on how much housework you have piled up.
There are actually no NFL playoff games today.
Wait. Don’t close the tab yet. I know you saw "Playoffs" trending. It’s the dead zone between the chaos of Wild Card Weekend and the upcoming Divisional Round. We just watched the Houston Texans absolutely dismantle the Steelers on Monday night—did you see that 30-6 score?—and now the league is taking a breath.
When Does the Action Actually Start Again?
Since you're hunting for what time the playoff games today are on, you’re likely really looking for the Divisional Round schedule. The NFL doesn't do mid-week playoff football (yet), so we have to wait until Saturday, January 17.
The schedule for the next round is already locked in. Here is how the weekend shakes out:
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Saturday, January 17, 2026
The Buffalo Bills travel to face the top-seeded Denver Broncos. Kickoff is at 4:30 PM ET. You can catch that one on CBS or stream it on Paramount+. Later that night, at 8:00 PM ET, we get a massive NFC West rivalry: the San Francisco 49ers at the Seattle Seahawks on FOX.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
The Houston Texans, fresh off their Monday night win, go to Foxborough to play the New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET. That’s an ABC/ESPN broadcast. Finally, the Divisional Round wraps up with the Los Angeles Rams at the Chicago Bears. That one starts at 6:30 PM ET on NBC.
Is There Any Postseason Action Today?
Technically, if you broaden your scope beyond the NFL, the "playoff" energy is everywhere, even if the scoreboard isn't moving. In the college world, today is actually a massive logistical deadline. January 14 is the final day for college underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft. This basically shifts the "postseason" from the field to the front offices.
Speaking of college, the College Football Playoff National Championship isn't today either. That massive showdown between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes is set for Monday, January 19, at 7:30 PM ET.
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Honestly, the "playoff" buzz today is mostly people arguing about the Indiana vs. Miami spread (Indiana is currently a 7.5-point favorite, which feels high but Curt Cignetti has those guys playing out of their minds).
What You Can Watch Today Instead
If you just need a sports fix and you're bummed about the lack of what time the playoff games today info, the NBA and NHL are filling the void with a heavy regular-season slate. These aren't "win or go home" games, but for teams like the Memphis Grizzlies or the Ottawa Senators, every night feels like a playoff push right now.
- NBA Highlights: The Toronto Raptors are at the Indiana Pacers (7:00 PM ET), and the New York Knicks are taking on the Sacramento Kings at 10:00 PM ET.
- NHL Highlights: The Seattle Kraken are visiting the New Jersey Devils at 7:00 PM ET. If you want a late-night sweat, the Vegas Golden Knights play the LA Kings at 10:00 PM ET.
It's a weird quirk of the 2026 calendar. We have this specific Wednesday gap where the NFL resets. Most people get wrong the idea that because Monday had a game, Wednesday must have one too. Nope. The NFL protects that weekend window like a hawk.
Why the NFL Avoids Mid-Week Playoffs
You might wonder why we aren't seeing a Wednesday night playoff game. It’s basically about player safety and money. Mostly money. A Wednesday game would mean one team is playing on two days of rest or a team is coming off a massive layoff that ruins the "rhythm" coaches always talk about.
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Plus, the TV ratings for a Saturday afternoon game dwarf anything a Wednesday night could pull, unless it was the Super Bowl itself. So, while you're searching for what time the playoff games today are, the players are actually in the middle of their heavy practice week, probably nursing bruises from the Wild Card round.
Your Playoff Survival Plan
Since the screen is dark for the NFL today, here is how you should actually spend your Wednesday to prep for the Divisional Round:
- Check your streaming logins: Saturday's Denver/Buffalo game is on Paramount+. Don't be the person trying to reset their password five minutes before kickoff.
- Monitor the injury reports: Keep an eye on the Rams' roster. Playing in Chicago in January is no joke, and their health coming out of that Panthers win is going to be the deciding factor.
- Place your props early: If you're into sports betting, the lines for Saturday's games usually shift significantly by Friday afternoon. Getting in today might save you a half-point.
The wait is annoying, I get it. But come Saturday at 4:30 PM ET, when the Bills and Broncos finally kick off, the mid-week drought will be a distant memory. Use today to rest your voice—you're going to need it for the Divisional Round.