So, you’re checking the TV guide or your favorite sports app and wondering who does Tennessee Titans play today? It’s a fair question. Usually, Saturday afternoons in mid-January are reserved for the high-stakes drama of the NFL playoffs. You might be looking for that familiar Columbia blue on your screen, expecting a Divisional Round showdown.
The short answer? Nobody.
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Honestly, it’s a tough pill to swallow for the fans in Nashville. While the Buffalo Bills are duking it out with the Denver Broncos right now, and the Seahawks and 49ers are prepping for their primetime slot, the Titans are already deep into their offseason. There is no game. No kickoff at Nissan Stadium. No away-day flight.
The Titans' 2025-26 season wrapped up nearly two weeks ago on January 4th with a lopsided 41-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That game was a bit of a microcosm for the whole year—a year that ended with a dismal 3-14 record. If you were hoping to see them in the Divisional Round today, January 17, 2026, you're looking at a team that's currently more focused on draft boards than playbooks.
Who Does Tennessee Titans Play Today? Understanding the 2026 Postseason
To understand why the Titans aren't on your TV today, you have to look at the wreckage of the last few months. They finished dead last in the AFC South. While the Jaguars (13-4) and the Texans (12-5) are still alive in the hunt for a Super Bowl ring, Tennessee is watching from the couch.
It’s been a chaotic cycle. Brian Callahan was let go back in October after a brutal start, and Mike McCoy stepped in as the interim to try and steady a ship that was already taking on water. It didn't quite work. They finished the season 0-6 in the division. That's the kind of stat that keeps general managers awake at night.
If you’re a football junkie, you can still get your fix today. Here is what the actual NFL schedule looks like for Saturday, January 17:
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- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This kicked off at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: The nightcap starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
Neither of those involves the Titans, but if you’re looking for a silver lining, several names on the coaching carousel might interest you. The Titans' front office is currently busy interviewing candidates. We’re talking about Matt Nagy, John Harbaugh, and even Vance Joseph. Ironically, Vance Joseph is the defensive coordinator for the Broncos—so if you watch the Denver game today, you’re actually scouting a potential future leader for Tennessee.
Why the Titans Missed the Cut
You can’t talk about who does Tennessee Titans play today without addressing the "why." Why are they sitting at home?
The stats tell a pretty grim story. The offense ranked 31st overall in the league. That’s essentially the basement. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward showed flashes of brilliance, throwing for over 3,100 yards, but 15 touchdowns against a flurry of turnovers just wasn't enough to move the needle in a hyper-competitive AFC.
Defensively, Jeffery Simmons remained a beast with 11 sacks, but the secondary was a sieve. They ranked 26th against the pass. When you can’t score and you can’t stop the big play, you don't play in January. It’s that simple.
The Road Ahead: 2026 Opponents
Since they aren't playing today, your next chance to see them in action won't be until the 2026 preseason in August. However, we already know who they will face in the 2026 regular season. The NFL's scheduling formula is predictable even if the wins aren't.
Next season, the Titans have a "last-place schedule," which sounds insulting but is actually a gift. It means they'll play other teams that finished at the bottom of their respective divisions. At home in Nashville, they’ll host the usual divisional rivals—the Texans, Colts, and Jaguars—along with the Browns, Steelers, Jets, Eagles, and Commanders.
Their travel schedule looks a bit more daunting. They have to fly to Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, and Detroit. That trip to Ford Field to face the Lions will be a massive litmus test for whoever the new head coach ends up being.
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Actionable Steps for Titans Fans Today
Since there’s no game to watch, what should a Titans fan do? If you’re itching for team news, here’s how to stay productive during the "dark weeks" of the postseason:
- Monitor the Broncos-Bills Game: Keep a close eye on Vance Joseph's defense. If the Titans land him as head coach, his schemes today will be the foundation of Tennessee's defense next year.
- Scout the Senior Bowl: With the number two or three pick likely in their pocket (depending on the final tiebreakers), the Titans are in prime position for a generational talent. Start looking at the offensive line prospects and edge rushers.
- Track the Coaching Interviews: The team has already requested interviews with some heavy hitters. Watch the news cycles today; often, these deals get leaked during the halftime shows of the playoff games.
- Audit the Roster: Take a look at the free agent list. Guys like Tony Pollard had a decent year (1,082 rushing yards), but with a new regime coming in, nobody’s spot is truly safe.
While the answer to who does Tennessee Titans play today is "no one," the work being done behind the scenes today is what determines if they’ll be playing on this date in 2027. For now, grab a drink, watch the Bills and Broncos, and start dreaming about the draft.