You've probably woken up, grabbed your coffee, and started scrolling for a kickoff time. It's a habit. We just came off a massive three-day binge of Wild Card action, so it’s only natural to ask: what's the schedule for nfl today?
Honestly? There isn't one.
The NFL is taking a breather. After the Houston Texans dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 last night to close out the opening round, the league has officially entered its mid-week "dark period." If you’re looking for a live game right now, you’re going to find a lot of talk shows and replay highlights instead of live snaps.
The Wild Card Dust Has Settled
Last night was the finale. Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers ran into a buzzsaw in Pittsburgh, as the Texans' defense basically lived in the backfield. That Monday night blowout was the final piece of the puzzle. We now know exactly who is moving on and, perhaps more importantly, who is heading to the golf course.
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Wild Card weekend was a wild ride. We saw Caleb Williams pull off a late-game miracle for the Chicago Bears against the Packers. We watched Matthew Stafford prove he’s still got that "clutch" gene in a nail-biter against the Panthers. But today, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, is for the film rooms and the injury reports.
When Do the Games Start Again?
The league doesn't stay quiet for long. While the what's the schedule for nfl today answer is a big zero, the Divisional Round is already locked in for this coming weekend.
The NFL loves a staggered schedule to keep us glued to the TV. Here is how the next few days of "actual football" look:
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- Wednesday through Friday: Total silence on the field. This is when coaches like Dan Campbell or Sean McVay are barely sleeping, trying to figure out how to stop the next opponent.
- Saturday, January 17: This is your next real gameday. We've got a double-header. The Buffalo Bills travel to Denver to face the top-seeded Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET. Later that night, the San Francisco 49ers head to Seattle for a massive NFC West rivalry clash at 8:00 p.m. ET.
- Sunday, January 18: Another two-game slate. The Texans—fresh off that Monday night win—head to Foxborough to play the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET. Then, the Los Angeles Rams visit the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET to see if Caleb Williams can keep the magic alive.
Why Today Matters for the Divisional Round
Even though nobody is wearing pads today, the "game" is happening in the front offices. Tuesday is traditionally the day when teams announce major roster moves.
For instance, the Buffalo Bills just placed WR Gabe Davis on IR today. That’s a huge blow for Josh Allen heading into a matchup with a Denver defense that doesn't give an inch. On the flip side, they’ve designated Curtis Samuel to return to practice. It's a chess match.
You've also got the coaching carousel spinning. The Chargers just fired Greg Roman today. The Dolphins are interviewing Kevin Stefanski. If you're an NFL junkie, today isn't about the scoreboard; it's about the transactions.
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Navigating the TV Blackout
Since there are no games, you won't find anything on CBS, FOX, or NBC tonight. ESPN will likely be re-running the Texans-Steelers highlights until the tape wears out.
If you're really itching for football content, the "ManningCast" clips from last night are probably your best bet for entertainment. Seeing Peyton and Eli react to Rodgers getting sacked four times was arguably more entertaining than the game itself.
How to Prepare for the Weekend
Don't let the lack of a schedule today get you down. Use this time to check your fantasy playoff brackets or, better yet, lock in your plans for Saturday.
Next Steps for the Week:
- Check the Weather: Denver is looking cold for Saturday. If you're betting or just curious about the Bills/Broncos total, keep an eye on those wind speeds at Empower Field.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep a close watch on Matthew Stafford’s status. He took a few big hits in the Panthers game and the Rams need him at 100% to survive Soldier Field.
- Set Your DVR: Saturday's games start earlier than the usual Sunday slate. Don't be the person who tunes in at 8:00 p.m. and realizes they missed the Bills game.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting shorter. We are down to the final eight teams. While today is a day of rest, the intensity is about to ramp up to a level we haven't seen yet this season.