If you tuned into Amazon Prime or flipped through your local cable guide looking for a game on January 15, 2026, you likely found a whole lot of nothing. No kickoffs. No Al Michaels. No frantic two-minute drills.
The short answer to what was the score of thursday night nfl football this week is that there wasn't one. The scoreboard stayed at 0-0 because the game didn't exist.
It feels weird, right? We’ve spent the last four months conditioned to park ourselves on the couch every Thursday for a dose of "TNF." But once the calendar flips deep into January and the NFL playoffs take over, the league shifts its entire scheduling philosophy.
The Mystery of the Missing Thursday Score
The NFL regular season wrapped up with Week 18 on the weekend of January 3-4. During the regular season, Thursday Night Football is a staple, but the league historically kills off the Thursday slot once the postseason begins.
Why? It’s basically about fairness and recovery.
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Playoff games are high-stakes. Asking a team to play a Wild Card game on a Monday night—like the Houston Texans just did when they dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6—and then turn around to play a Divisional game on a Thursday would be a death sentence for their players' legs.
So, instead of a Thursday night game on January 15, we had a quiet midweek break. The "TNF" crew is essentially on vacation until next fall.
What Happened in the Last Thursday Night Game?
Since there was no game this past Thursday, you might be thinking back to the most recent one. That would be the Week 16 and Week 17 stretch.
If we look at the late-season drama, the last big Thursday night thriller that actually mattered for the standings was back on December 18, 2025. That night, the Seattle Seahawks eked out a massive 38-37 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
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Honestly, that game was a circus. It was high-scoring, chaotic, and it eventually helped Seattle clinch the #1 seed in the NFC. That’s the kind of score people usually have in mind when they’re searching for Thursday results—the kind of game that keeps you up way too late on a work night.
Where the NFL Playoffs Stand Right Now
Since you missed your Thursday football fix, you’re probably looking toward the weekend. We are currently in the thick of the Divisional Round.
The bracket has narrowed down to the elite eight. The Wild Card round already sent the Packers, Panthers, Eagles, Jaguars, Steelers, and Chargers packing. Here is what the actual scoreboard looked like for the start of the Divisional action:
- Denver Broncos 33, Buffalo Bills 30 (OT): A Saturday afternoon heartbreaker for Josh Allen. Bo Nix and the Broncos found a way to survive in the extra period, punching their ticket to the AFC Championship.
- Seattle Seahawks 41, San Francisco 49ers 6: This wasn't even close. Seattle proved why they earned that first-round bye by absolutely suffocating Brock Purdy and the Niners' offense.
Looking Ahead: The Rest of the Divisional Weekend
Even though Thursday was a bust, the NFL is making up for it with a massive Sunday doubleheader. If you're looking for live scores today, January 18, 2026, here is the schedule:
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Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
This is the "Student vs. Master" matchup. C.J. Stroud is playing some of the best football of his young career, but going into Foxborough in January is never easy. The Patriots' defense has been a brick wall all season, allowing a league-low in explosive plays.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
A classic NFC battle at Soldier Field. The forecast is calling for snow showers and temperatures around 18°F. The Rams are used to the cozy confines of SoFi Stadium, so watching Matthew Stafford navigate a frozen Chicago afternoon is going to be the highlight of the weekend.
Why Thursday Night Football Disappears in January
It’s all about the "short week" problem. During the regular season, teams and fans complain constantly about the lack of recovery time between a Sunday game and a Thursday game. In the playoffs, the NFL prioritizes "prime" windows—Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, Sunday afternoon, and Sunday night.
Basically, they want as many eyeballs as possible on these games. Thursday night is great for mid-season revenue, but the weekend is where the prestige lives.
Actionable Tips for Following the 2026 Playoffs
If you want to make sure you don't miss the actual scores moving forward, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Check the Network Rotation: Remember that the AFC Championship next Sunday (Jan 25) will be on CBS, while the NFC Championship will air on FOX.
- Watch the Injury Reports: Pay close attention to the Bears' defensive line injuries. They’ve lost a couple of key rotational players recently, which could give the Rams' run game a massive opening this afternoon.
- Super Bowl Countdown: Super Bowl LX is set for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Mark your calendar now, because that Sunday will have a score you’ll be talking about for years.
- Stream Smarter: If you’re away from a TV, remember that Paramount+ carries the CBS games and Peacock has the NBC broadcast for the Rams-Bears game.
The Thursday night lights might be off for now, but the road to the Super Bowl is just getting started. Keep your eyes on the Sunday results to see if we get a Texans-Broncos AFC showdown or if the Seahawks continue their march toward a home-field trophy presentation.