Wait. If you're looking for the score from last night, you're likely staring at a bracket or a fantasy league payout that's currently on the line. Last night, January 17, 2026, was the kickoff of the NFL Super Wild Card Weekend. Since it’s a Saturday-Sunday-Monday playoff bonanza, people always get confused about the scheduling. But let's get right to it. Who played Sunday Night Football was the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
It was a rematch that everyone in the NFC had been circling since November. The Lions, coming off a massive divisional title run, hosted an Eagles team that had been playing "bend-but-don't-break" defense for the better part of two months. It wasn't just a game; it was a loud, indoor chaotic mess of a playoff atmosphere. Ford Field was so loud that the broadcast literally had to dampen the crowd noise just so Mike Tirico could hear himself think.
People often forget that the Sunday Night slot during the playoffs isn't just another game. It’s the "crown jewel" of the Wild Card round. NBC gets the pick of the litter. They chose Detroit versus Philly for a reason.
The Reality of the Lions vs. Eagles Matchup
Philly came into this game with a lot of questions. Jalen Hurts had been dealing with a nagging finger issue—nothing crazy, but enough to make those deep shots to A.J. Brown look a little wobbly in practice. Meanwhile, the Lions are basically the darlings of the league right now. Dan Campbell’s "kneecap biting" philosophy has turned into a high-octane offense led by Jared Goff, who, honestly, is playing the best football of his entire career.
The game started fast. Detroit scored on their opening drive with a heavy dose of Jahmyr Gibbs. That kid is lightning. If you blinked, he was already eight yards downfield. The Eagles responded with a steady diet of Saquon Barkley, who the Eagles signed specifically for games like this—cold (well, it's a dome, but you get it) playoff nights where you need a home run hitter in the backfield.
Why the Sunday Night Slot Matters
There is a specific rhythm to who played Sunday Night Football. During the regular season, the NFL "flexes" games to ensure we don't get stuck watching two teams with four wins each. But in the playoffs? It’s all about the ratings. The NFL and NBC knew that the Philly fan base travels like a swarm of locusts and the Detroit fan base is currently in a state of euphoria not seen in forty years.
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It's about the narrative.
You had the veteran presence of the Eagles, a team that was in the Super Bowl just a few years ago, against the "new blood" of the Lions. This is why the Sunday Night game usually feels different than the 1:00 PM kickoff. The lights are brighter. The intro music hits harder. Even the grass looks greener under those LED stadium lights.
Breaking Down the Key Performances
Let's talk about Jared Goff for a second. Everyone wrote him off. Everyone. When he was traded from the Rams, people treated him like a bridge quarterback. Last night, he proved he’s a franchise pillar. He was 22 of 28 for 275 yards. No interceptions. He stayed in the pocket even when the Eagles' pass rush was breathing down his neck.
On the other side, Jalen Hurts struggled early. The Eagles' offensive line, usually a brick wall, had a few uncharacteristic penalties. False starts in a playoff game are killers. You can't give a team like Detroit free yardage. It’s basically football suicide.
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 112 rushing yards, 2 TDs.
- A.J. Brown: 9 catches, 124 yards, but a crucial fumble in the 3rd quarter.
- Aidan Hutchinson: 2.5 sacks. He was everywhere.
Hutchinson is a monster. There’s no other way to put it. He’s got this spin move that makes elite left tackles look like they’re wearing roller skates. If you watched the game, you saw him single-handedly stall two Eagles drives in the fourth quarter.
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The Confusion Around Sunday Night Football Scheduling
If you tuned in expecting to see the Cowboys or the Chiefs, you probably missed the Saturday night exclusive on Peacock or the afternoon window on CBS. The NFL’s TV contracts are a labyrinth. NBC owns the Sunday night rights, but they also sometimes get a Saturday game.
Generally, the Sunday Night Football game is the most-watched program in America for a reason. It’s the final big event before the work week starts. It’s the collective "last hurrah" of the weekend. For the 2026 Wild Card round, the league placed the Lions here because Detroit is a "ratings darling" now. That would have been unthinkable three years ago.
What This Means for the Divisional Round
Because of who played Sunday Night Football last night, the NFC bracket is now looking like a collision course. The Lions moving on means they likely head to San Francisco to face the 49ers. That is a nightmare matchup for anyone, but the Lions have the grit to make it interesting.
The Eagles, meanwhile, head into an offseason with a lot of soul-searching. When you have that much talent and exit in the first round, heads usually roll. Coaching staff changes are almost a certainty in Philadelphia after a performance like that. The "tush push" can only take you so far if you can't stop the opposing quarterback on third-and-long.
Looking Back at the Season Trends
Throughout the 2025-2026 season, the Sunday Night Football schedule was dominated by the NFC East and the AFC North. We saw a lot of the Ravens, a lot of the Cowboys, and a surprising amount of the Jets (mostly because of the Aaron Rodgers comeback narrative that eventually fizzled out).
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The league tries to balance these things, but money talks. Big markets get the primetime slots. That’s why seeing Detroit—a mid-market team with a massive heart—take the Sunday night stage is a refreshing change of pace for the NFL’s broadcast partners.
Actionable Takeaways for the Next Round
If you’re following the playoffs, don’t just look at the final score. The Sunday night game revealed a few things that will impact your bets or your bracket for the next weekend.
Check the Injury Reports Early
Philly lost a key linebacker in the second quarter. If you're looking at future matchups, keep an eye on how that thin defensive depth will affect their offseason moves or if they were just gassed.
Watch the "Home Field" Factor
The Lions' win proved that Ford Field is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL right now. If they somehow manage to get a home game in the later rounds (due to an upset elsewhere), hammer the moneyline on Detroit.
Monitor the Betting Lines
Typically, the team that plays on Sunday night has a slightly shorter "rest" period if they have to play the following Saturday. The NFL tries to avoid this, but keep an eye on the travel schedule for the Lions as they head into the Divisional round.
The playoffs are a grind. Who played Sunday Night Football last night wasn't just a footnote; it was a changing of the guard in the NFC. The Eagles' era of dominance is flickering, and the Lions' roar is getting impossible to ignore. Grab your jersey, check the updated Vegas odds, and get ready for the Divisional round because the intensity is only going to ramp up from here.
Next weekend's schedule is usually released by Monday morning, so keep your eyes on the official NFL communications to see if your team gets the Sunday night "Game of the Week" treatment or if they're stuck in the Saturday afternoon slot.