If you’re staring at your calendar and asking who is playing tomorrow night nfl football, I have some news that might sting a little. Tomorrow is Monday, January 19, 2026. Usually, that means a brutal Monday Night Football showdown or a Wild Card clash.
But not this time.
The NFL just wrapped up its Divisional Round today. We saw the New England Patriots dismantle the Houston Texans 28-16 in the early slot, followed by that slugfest at Soldier Field where the Chicago Bears eked out a 10-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Because the league finished the second round on Sunday, there is actually no NFL football scheduled for tomorrow night.
It feels weird, right? You've got the wings ready, the couch is dented in just the right spot, and the TV schedule is a void. But before you throw the remote, there’s a massive caveat. While the pros are taking a breather before the Conference Championships, the biggest game in amateur sports is taking over the time slot.
The Monday Night Void: No NFL, but plenty of pads
Tomorrow night, January 19, is reserved for the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship. This is why the NFL clears the tracks. The league knows better than to compete with a winner-take-all title game, especially when the Indiana Hoosiers are set to take on the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
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Basically, the NFL is letting the kids have the spotlight for one night.
Honestly, it’s a smart move by the schedule makers. After the chaos of the Divisional Round—with C.J. Stroud throwing four picks today and Bo Nix unfortunately breaking his ankle in Denver’s overtime win yesterday—the football world needs a second to breathe.
If you were specifically looking for who is playing tomorrow night nfl football because you wanted to see the next step in the playoff bracket, you’ll have to wait until next Sunday, January 25. That’s when the "real" Monday Night-style energy returns for the AFC and NFC Championship games.
What happened to the Monday night playoff game?
Last week, we had the Texans and Steelers playing on a Monday night for the Wild Card round. It was a blowout. It seems like a lot of fans expected that Monday tradition to carry over into the Divisional Round.
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It didn't.
The NFL schedule is a fickle beast. For the Divisional Round in 2026, the league opted for two double-headers:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Bills vs. Broncos and 49ers vs. Seahawks.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Texans vs. Patriots and Rams vs. Bears.
By packing everything into the weekend, the NFL avoids the short-week disadvantage for teams headed into the Conference Finals. If a team played tomorrow (Monday), they’d only have five days to recover before the biggest game of their lives on Sunday. Coaches hate that. Players hate it more.
Who is playing next? Looking toward January 25
Since tomorrow is a wash for NFL fans, your eyes should be on next Sunday. The bracket is finally set, and the matchups are legitimately insane.
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In the AFC, we’ve got the New England Patriots traveling to Denver to face the Broncos. This would have been a legendary Bo Nix vs. Drake Maye showdown, but with Nix out for the season, it’s now the Jarrett Stidham show in Mile High. There is some serious irony there, considering Stidham was drafted by the Pats back in the day.
Over in the NFC, the Chicago Bears are heading to Seattle. The Seahawks looked absolutely terrifying yesterday, putting 41 points on the 49ers. Chicago’s defense is stout—they only gave up 7 points today—but Lumen Field is a different kind of monster in January.
Where to watch football tomorrow instead
If you still need your fix and the "no NFL" reality is too much to bear, here is how tomorrow night (Monday) looks on the dial:
- 7:30 p.m. ET: The CFP National Championship (Indiana vs. Miami) kicks off on ESPN.
- The ManningCast: Peyton and Eli often do alternative broadcasts for big Monday events, so check ESPN2 to see if they’re breaking down the college kids.
- Local News: You’ll likely see the post-game autopsies of the Texans and Rams losses throughout the night.
Actionable Next Steps for the Playoff Push
Since there isn't a game tomorrow, use the time to get your logistics sorted for the Conference Championships.
- Check the Injury Reports: Keep a close eye on the Denver quarterback situation and the Bears' offensive line. Both took hits this weekend.
- Update Your Bracket: If you’re in a playoff pool, the "Texans at Patriots" result today likely busted a few entries.
- Set Your Sunday Schedule: The AFC Championship kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET on CBS next Sunday, followed by the NFC at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
There's no NFL tomorrow, but the road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is narrower than ever. Take the night off, watch the college kids hit each other, and get ready for the final four.