If you were sitting on your couch yesterday, Friday, January 16, 2026, flipping through channels or refreshing your sports apps looking for a final score, you probably noticed something a bit eerie. The screen was blank. No pads clashing, no controversial holding calls, and definitely no "RedZone" quad-box.
Honestly, it’s kinda the calm before the storm.
The reality is that nobody played in the NFL last night. The league decided to stick with its traditional postseason rhythm, keeping Friday as a "dark day" for rest and preparation. While we’ve seen the NFL experiment with Black Friday games during the regular season, the playoffs are a different beast entirely. Friday was strictly for final walkthroughs and injury report drama.
Why There Was No NFL Game Last Night
It’s easy to get confused with the schedule these days. We just came off a Wild Card weekend that stretched from Saturday all the way through a Monday night blowout where the Houston Texans dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6. You’d think the momentum would carry over into a Friday night special, but the NFL protects the Divisional Round schedule like a state secret until the last second.
Basically, the players need the recovery time.
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If a team like the Texans played on Monday night, asking them to turn around and play a Divisional game by Friday would be a medical nightmare. Instead, the league uses Friday as the final media day. We heard from coaches like Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots, who spent his Friday afternoon answering questions about the health of Harold Landry III and Christian Gonzalez.
The anticipation is better than the alternative of a sloppy, short-week game.
Who Is Playing Today? The Divisional Round Starts Now
While last night was quiet, today—Saturday, January 17—is when the real chaos begins. We are officially in the Divisional Round. This is arguably the best weekend of football in the entire calendar year because the "frauds" have usually been weeded out, and the rested #1 seeds finally take the field.
Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET)
The afternoon slate starts with a massive AFC showdown. The Denver Broncos, led by their 14-3 regular-season record and the top seed in the conference, are hosting the Buffalo Bills.
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The Bills aren't exactly "underdogs" in the traditional sense. They just came off a gritty 27-24 win over the Jaguars in the Wild Card round. Playing at altitude in Denver after a physical game last week is a tall order. Keep an eye on the Denver defense; they've been suffocating teams at Mile High all year.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET)
This is the one everyone is talking about. It’s a "rubber match" between two NFC West rivals who know each other's jersey numbers by heart.
- The Context: Seattle is the #1 seed, but the 49ers just embarrassed the Eagles 23-19 to get here.
- The QB Factor: Brock Purdy is looking for redemption. In his last outing against this Seattle defense in Week 18, he was held to a season-low 127 yards.
- The Injury Bug: Sam Darnold (Seahawks) has been dealing with an oblique injury. He was limited in practice on Friday, but Mike Macdonald seems "optimistic" he’ll go.
Looking Ahead to Sunday’s Matchups
If Saturday doesn't satisfy your itch, Sunday is loaded with two more heavy-hitter games. The bracket is set, and there are no more "maybe next week" scenarios.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET): The Texans looked like world-beaters on Monday night, but Foxborough in January is a different planet. Mike Vrabel has that New England defense playing at a level we haven't seen in years.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET): This is the game for the stat-heads. Analysts are predicting this could be the highest-scoring playoff game in history. The Bears are relatively healthy, with Rome Odunze returning to full speed, but they have to find a way to stop the Puka Nacua and Davante Adams duo. That’s easier said than done.
Actionable Insights for the Divisional Weekend
Since you didn't get a game last night, you've got some catching up to do before the 4:30 kickoff today.
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Check the final active/inactive lists. Usually released 90 minutes before kickoff, these will be crucial for the Seahawks-49ers game. If Sam Darnold’s oblique acts up during warmups, that spread is going to shift instantly.
Monitor the weather in Chicago. While Saturday's games look clear, Sunday in Chicago is looking like classic "inclement weather." If you're looking at the over/under for the Rams-Bears game, don't ignore the wind off Lake Michigan.
Watch the "Goldfish" Mentality. Seattle cornerback Riq Woolen mentioned this week that he’s playing with a 10-second memory. In the Divisional Round, the pressure is so high that one bad play can spiral. The team that forgets their mistakes the fastest usually moves on to the Championship Sunday.
There were no scores to report from last night, but by tonight, the Super Bowl picture is going to look a lot clearer. Get your snacks ready; the wait is over.
Next Steps for Your Football Weekend:
- Confirm your streaming login: The Bills/Broncos game is on CBS/Paramount+, while the 49ers/Seahawks game moves over to FOX.
- Set your fantasy lineups: If you're playing DFS (Daily Fantasy) for the Divisional Round, pay close attention to the Bears' injury report—specifically Rome Odunze's foot—as he could be a high-value play if he's truly 100%.
- Check the lines: The Broncos opened as slight favorites at home, but late money has been moving toward Buffalo. Ensure you see the final Vegas shifts before lock.