If you woke up this morning, grabbed your lucky silver and black jersey, and started scouring the TV guide for the Las Vegas Raiders game, I’ve got some bad news. You’re going to be looking for a long time.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. While the NFL world is buzzing with Divisional Round playoff energy, the Raiders are nowhere near a stadium. Unless, of course, they bought tickets to watch the Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots or the Los Angeles Rams square off against the Chicago Bears.
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The simple answer? The Raiders didn't play today because their season ended two weeks ago.
The Reality of the Raiders 2025-2026 Campaign
Look, it’s been a rough ride. Honestly, "rough" might be an understatement. The Raiders finished the 2025 regular season with a dismal 3-14 record. When you're sitting at the bottom of the AFC West, you don't get invited to the January dance.
Their final game—the one that officially put the season out of its misery—happened back on January 4, 2026. In a bit of a "too little, too late" moment, they actually beat the Kansas City Chiefs 14-12 at Allegiant Stadium. It was a nice win for the fans who stuck it out, but it didn't change the fact that they were already mathematically eliminated weeks prior.
Why Today Feels Like a Raiders Game Day
It’s weird, right? You see the "NFL on CBS" logo, you hear the theme music, and your brain automatically asks, "who did the Raiders play today?" Usually, mid-January is when the "Commitment to Excellence" is supposed to be tested in the postseason. But for the 2025-2026 Raiders, the only thing they're committing to right now is the NFL Draft and a massive coaching search.
The team moved on from head coach Pete Carroll almost immediately after the season ended. It was a short-lived era that just didn't click. Now, while teams like the Denver Broncos are hosting the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs, the Raiders' front office is busy interviewing candidates like Jeff Hafley to see who can steer this ship in 2026.
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Wait, I Saw a Headline About a Raiders Win Today?
If you're seeing news about a "Raiders" victory on January 18, 2026, you're likely looking at the Prince Albert Raiders.
They aren't playing football. They’re playing hockey.
The Prince Albert Raiders (a WHL team) pulled off a massive upset last night/today, beating the Medicine Hat Tigers 8-5. They ended the Tigers' incredible 19-game winning streak. So, if your news feed is congratulating a guy named Max Heise for a hat trick, don't get confused. He’s not the new Raiders wide receiver—he’s a center on skates.
What’s Next for the Las Vegas Raiders?
Since there is no game today, the focus shifts entirely to the "Second Season"—the off-season.
The Raiders are in a position where "next year" needs to start being "now." With a 3-14 record, they’ll have a premium pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Fans are already arguing over whether they should take a franchise quarterback or bolster a defense that, frankly, spent too much time on the field this year.
Critical Off-Season Milestones
- The Head Coach Search: This is the big one. They need someone who can handle the Vegas spotlight and the AFC West's brutality.
- Free Agency (March 11, 2026): The team has roughly 24 players hitting the market. Decisions on guys like Charles Snowden and Malcolm Koonce will signal how much of a "reset" this actually is.
- The 2026 Schedule: We already know who they'll face next year. They’ll be hosting the Bills, Dolphins, and Rams at Allegiant Stadium, while traveling to face the 49ers and Jets.
Basically, the Raiders are in "rebuild mode" for the fourth consecutive season. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a fan base that expects more, especially with a stadium as beautiful as Allegiant sitting empty on playoff Sundays.
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If you’re looking for a team to root for today since the Raiders are out, you’ve got two great matchups. The Patriots and Texans kick off at 3:00 PM EST, followed by the Bears and Rams at 6:30 PM EST. It’s high-stakes football, even if the Silver and Black aren't part of the conversation this time around.
Instead of looking for a kickoff time, head over to the official Raiders site or NFL.com to track the latest coach interviews. The 2026 season starts with the decisions made this week.