If you just grabbed your remote and started scrolling through Amazon Prime looking for Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. You’re looking for a game that isn't there.
Honestly, it’s a classic mid-January mistake. We get so used to that Thursday night routine—the bright lights, the specific Amazon chime, the experimental broadcast tech—that we forget the NFL schedule shifts gears once the calendar hits the New Year.
The short answer to who is playing in Thursday Night Football right now is: nobody.
The regular season is officially in the rearview mirror. We are currently sitting in the sweet spot between the Wild Card round and the Divisional Round. While the "Thursday Night Football" brand is a staple of our fall and early winter, it wrapped up its 2025-2026 run back in December. The NFL doesn't schedule playoff games on Thursday nights. Why? Mostly because it would be a logistical nightmare for teams coming off a Sunday game, but also because the league wants those massive weekend windows to maximize every single eyeball in the country.
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Why There’s No Game Tonight
It's kinda weird, right? You’ve spent months planning your Thursday around wings and the couch. But the 2025 regular season finale for the Thursday franchise actually happened on Christmas Day, when the Denver Broncos took down the Kansas City Chiefs 20-13.
The NFL is very protective of its postseason athletes. Playing a playoff game on a short week—going from Sunday to Thursday—is considered too high-risk for the "product." Coaches like Kyle Shanahan or Dan Campbell would probably lose their minds if they had to prep for a Divisional matchup in only three days. Instead, the league spreads the joy across Saturday and Sunday.
If you’re craving high-stakes football, you only have to wait about 48 hours. The Divisional Round kicks off this Saturday, January 17, and it’s arguably the best weekend of the entire sports year.
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The Upcoming Weekend Slate: What to Watch Instead
Since you were looking for who is playing in Thursday Night Football, let’s pivot to the actual games that matter this week. We are down to the elite eight. The pretenders were sent home during Wild Card weekend, and now the heavy hitters are coming off their byes.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
The action starts in the thin air of Colorado. The Buffalo Bills travel to face the top-seeded Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET. This is a massive test for Bo Nix and that Denver defense that surprised everyone this year. Then, at 8:00 p.m. ET, we get a brutal NFC West trilogy match: the San Francisco 49ers at the Seattle Seahawks. There is zero love lost there.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
The Sunday morning (or afternoon, depending on your time zone) kicks off with the Houston Texans visiting the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET. C.J. Stroud vs. that New England secondary is worth the price of admission alone. Finally, the weekend wraps up at 6:30 p.m. ET with the Los Angeles Rams visiting the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. If it’s snowing in Chicago, that game becomes instant classic material.
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Where Did Thursday Night Football Go?
A lot of fans get confused because "Thursday Night Football" has become such a massive cultural footprint. This season was particularly wild. We saw some absolute bangers, like the Seahawks beating the Rams in an overtime thriller (38-37) just a few weeks ago in Week 16.
The deal with Amazon Prime Video has changed how we consume these games. It’s no longer just a broadcast; it’s an "event" with Next Gen Stats and multiple audio feeds. But the contract specifically covers the regular season. Once the playoffs hit, the rights shift back to the "Big Four" networks: CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN/ABC.
How to Handle the "No Football" Thursday Blues
It feels empty. I get it. But there are actually a few things you can do to prep for the massive Saturday/Sunday slate since you’ve already cleared your schedule for tonight.
- Check the Injury Reports: Since the Divisional teams are practicing today, the first "Real" injury reports are dropping. Keep a close eye on the 49ers' backfield and the Bills' offensive line.
- Update Your Streaming Apps: Since the games move from Prime to CBS/Paramount+, FOX, and NBC/Peacock this weekend, make sure your logins actually work. Nothing is worse than missing a kickoff because of a "forgotten password" loop.
- Scout the Lines: The oddsmakers have the Broncos as a narrow 1-point favorite over Buffalo. That’s basically a pick'em. Watching the line movement tonight can tell you where the "smart money" is heading before the weekend.
Actionable Steps for the Divisional Round
Don't just sit there staring at a blank screen. If you were searching for who is playing in Thursday Night Football, you’re clearly a fan who wants the action. Use this "off night" to set yourself up for a perfect playoff weekend.
- Sync your calendar: Set alerts for 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. That’s the official start of the road to the Super Bowl for the top seeds.
- Verify your access: Ensure you have access to the local channels or the specific streaming arms (Paramount+, Peacock, and ESPN+).
- Rest up: The Divisional Round usually features at least one game that goes deep into the night or ends in a heart-stopping final drive. You'll need the energy.
The Thursday night lights are off for the season, but the biggest games of the year are just around the corner.