So, you’re looking for the kickoff time or the channel for the Washington Commanders game this weekend, right? Honestly, I have some news that might be a bit of a bummer if you were planning a watch party.
The Washington Commanders are actually not playing this weekend, January 17–18, 2026.
While the NFL world is currently buzzing with Divisional Round playoff energy, the Commanders are officially in "offseason mode." After a rollercoaster 2025 season that saw some flashes of brilliance mixed with some truly tough Sundays, the team finished with a 5-12 record. That wasn't enough to punch a ticket to the postseason, meaning players like Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin are likely resting up or beginning their personal training regimens rather than taking hits on a frozen field this Saturday.
Who is actually playing this weekend?
Even though D.C. is sidelined, the NFL schedule for the Divisional Round is absolutely stacked. If you're a football junkie and just want to see some high-stakes games, here is what the "real" schedule looks like for January 17th and 18th:
On Saturday, January 17, the action starts in the AFC. The (6) Buffalo Bills are headed to Colorado to take on the (1) Denver Broncos at 4:30 PM ET. Later that night, at 8:00 PM ET, we get an NFC West bloodbath: the (6) San Francisco 49ers are traveling to Seattle to face the (1) Seahawks.
Sunday, January 18 keeps the momentum going. The Houston Texans (who had a wild Wild Card win against Pittsburgh) are going up against the New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET. To wrap up the weekend, the (5) Los Angeles Rams face off against the (2) Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET.
It’s weird seeing teams like the Bears and Lions (who played earlier) in these spots while Washington watches from home, but that's just how the 2025 season shook out.
What happened to the Commanders?
You might be thinking, "Wait, didn't they just beat the Eagles?" You're right! In a bit of a "spoiler" moment that felt great for the fans, Washington actually pulled off a 24-17 upset against the Philadelphia Eagles in their regular-season finale on January 4, 2026.
Josh Johnson—the ultimate NFL survivor—led that game, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. punched in a touchdown that basically ruined Philly’s hopes of a higher seed. It was a gritty, fun win. It just came too late to save the season.
Because they finished third in the NFC East, they spent the last week or so finalizing their list of opponents for the 2026 season. Since they aren't practicing for a playoff game, the front office is already pivoting toward the NFL Draft and scouting.
Looking ahead: Who will the Commanders play in 2026?
If you're already missing the burgundy and gold, the good news is that we already know who they'll be facing next fall. The NFL’s rotating schedule is locked in. While we don't have the exact dates yet (the NFL usually drops the full calendar in May), we know the home and away matchups.
Home Games at Northwest Stadium:
- Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants (The usual suspects).
- Seattle Seahawks & Los Angeles Rams (A tough NFC West draw).
- Houston Texans & Indianapolis Colts (The AFC South comes to town).
- Cincinnati Bengals (A rematch of that 2024 Monday night thriller).
- Atlanta Falcons (Continuing the weird streak of playing them every year).
Road Trips:
- The NFC East rivals again.
- San Francisco 49ers & Arizona Cardinals.
- Jacksonville Jaguars & Tennessee Titans.
- Minnesota Vikings.
Why the "Third Place" finish matters
NFL scheduling is kind of a math puzzle. Since Washington finished third in the NFC East (ahead of the 4-13 Giants but behind the 11-6 Eagles and 7-9-1 Cowboys), they get matched up against other third-place teams.
That’s why they have the Falcons and Bengals on the slate for next year. It’s supposed to create more "parity," meaning the Commanders have a slightly "easier" path on paper than the division-winning Eagles do. Whether it actually works out that way is anyone's guess—this is the NFL, after all.
What you should do this weekend instead
Since you won't be watching the Commanders, here is the best way to spend your football weekend if you still want to keep an eye on the league:
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- Watch the 49ers vs. Seahawks: Since Washington plays both of these teams in 2026, this is a great "scouting" opportunity. See how that Seattle defense holds up.
- Monitor the Draft Order: With a 5-12 record, Washington is sitting on a high draft pick. Every time a team wins in the playoffs, the draft order behind them starts to solidify.
- Check out the Washington Spirit: If you need a D.C. sports fix, the Spirit just released their 2026 NWSL schedule. They've got a championship rematch against Gotham FC coming up later this year.
The Commanders' season is over, but the work for 2026 has already started. Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl and the Scouting Combine in the coming weeks; that's where the next generation of Washington stars will start to emerge.
Actionable Next Steps
- Update your calendar: Don't look for a Commanders game on TV this Sunday—you'll just find a lot of pre-game shows for the Rams and Bears.
- Review the 2026 Opponents: Start looking at those home matchups against the Texans and Bengals; those will likely be the "hot" tickets next season.
- Follow Draft Experts: With the season done, the focus shifts to the NFL Draft in April. Look for mock drafts focusing on Washington’s needs at offensive line and secondary.