If you’re staring at your TV guide right now wondering where is Monday night football playing tonight, I have some news that might be a little frustrating. Honestly, it’s the kind of thing that catches even the most hardcore NFL fans off guard every single January.
There is no game.
Yeah, you read that right. Tonight, Thursday, January 15, 2026, the lights at every NFL stadium are actually dark. We’re in that weird, quiet "limbo" period of the postseason where the league takes a collective breath before the Divisional Round starts. If you were looking for Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, you've basically missed the boat by a few days. The last Monday Night Football game of the season actually happened this past Monday, January 12.
The Wild Card Wrap-Up: What You Just Missed
The Texans absolutely dismantled the Steelers 30–6 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh to close out the Wild Card round. It was a statement win. It also officially killed off the Monday night schedule for the 2025-2026 season.
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Why does the NFL do this? It’s simple. They want the primetime slots for the weekends when viewership is at its peak. While "Monday Night Football" is a massive brand during the regular season, the playoffs are a different beast entirely. Once the Wild Card round ends on a Monday night, the league pivots to a Saturday-Sunday format for the Divisional Round and the Conference Championships.
Where the Action Goes Next
So, if the answer to where is Monday night football playing tonight is "nowhere," when do the pads actually start popping again? You only have to wait until Saturday.
The NFL is moving the party to Denver and Seattle for a Saturday doubleheader that looks incredible on paper. The Buffalo Bills travel to face the top-seeded Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET. Then, at 8:00 p.m. ET, we get a massive NFC West grudge match between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
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- Saturday, Jan 17: Bills at Broncos (Empower Field at Mile High)
- Saturday, Jan 17: 49ers at Seahawks (Lumen Field)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Texans at Patriots (Gillette Stadium)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Rams at Bears (Soldier Field)
Wait, Is There Any Football Tonight?
If you’re absolutely desperate for a fix and "Tonight" means Monday, January 19, 2026, you’re actually in luck, just not in the NFL. The College Football Playoff National Championship is set for that night.
Indiana University and the University of Miami are squaring off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. It’s a historic matchup. Miami is trying to reclaim their old glory, and IU is basically living a Cinderella story that nobody saw coming. Ticket prices for that game are already north of $3,200 on the secondary market. If you can't find the NFL on your dial, that’s where the eyeballs will be.
Why the Schedule Feels So Messy
The NFL schedule has become a bit of a moving target lately. With the expansion of the playoffs and the introduction of the "Super Wild Card Weekend," we now get games on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays during the first round. But once we hit the Divisional Round, the league reverts to its traditional "weekend only" roots to ensure the teams playing for a spot in the Super Bowl get enough recovery time.
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Imagine if the Texans had to play tonight after just playing on Monday. They’d be exhausted. By moving their next game against the Patriots to Sunday, January 18, the league gives them a fair shake at being rested.
Your Game Plan for the Weekend
Since you won't find where is Monday night football playing tonight, you should probably use this time to prep for the Divisional Round. The Broncos and Seahawks are coming off their bye weeks, and historically, that extra rest is a massive advantage.
Check your local listings for CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN/ABC, as the broadcast rights are split across all the major players this weekend. If you’re a cord-cutter, make sure your Paramount+, Peacock, or ESPN+ subscriptions are active, because you're going to need them for the Saturday and Sunday slates.
Keep an eye on the weather in Chicago and Foxborough. Early forecasts for Sunday are calling for some serious "football weather," which could completely change how the Rams and Texans approach their road games. Enjoy the rare night off—the intensity is about to ramp up significantly in 48 hours.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Verify your streaming logins for Paramount+ (CBS games) and Peacock (NBC games) before the Saturday kickoff.
- Track the injury reports for Bo Nix and Caleb Williams, as both young QBs are facing massive pressure in their respective Divisional debuts.
- Adjust your Monday, January 19 plans if you intend to watch the IU vs. Miami college championship, as that will be the only "Monday Night" game left on the calendar.