You're sitting there, maybe checking your sportsbook app or just trying to plan your wings-and-beer situation for the week, and you’re wondering: who plays on Thursday night football tomorrow night? It's a fair question. During the regular season, Thursday is basically a national holiday for NFL fans. We’ve grown accustomed to that Prime Video notification popping up on our phones right as the workday ends. But here is the reality: if you're looking for an NFL game tomorrow, Friday, January 16, or even tonight, Thursday, January 15, 2026, you're going to be staring at a blank screen.
There is no game. Seriously.
The NFL regular season is officially in the rearview mirror. Once the calendar flips to the postseason and the wild-card round wraps up, "Thursday Night Football" effectively goes into hibernation until next September. It’s a bummer, I know. But the league pivots its entire broadcasting strategy for the playoffs to maximize those massive weekend audiences.
Why the Thursday Night Football Schedule Changes in January
Basically, the NFL wants every eyeball on the planet on their playoff matchups. During the regular season, Thursday games are a great way to own a "niche" night of the week. But in the Divisional Round—which is where we are right now—the stakes are way too high to bury a game on a Thursday when players are still recovering from the previous weekend’s physical toll.
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Think about it. The teams playing this weekend just finished grueling Wild Card games or, in the case of the Broncos and Seahawks, are coming off a much-needed bye week. Short weeks are notoriously hard on players' bodies. In the playoffs, where one mistake sends you home, the league prefers giving teams a full week of prep.
If you were hoping to see Sam Darnold or Bo Nix tomorrow night, you've gotta wait. The NFL's Divisional Round is strictly a Saturday and Sunday affair.
The Divisional Round Schedule: What to Watch Instead
Since you won't be finding football tomorrow night, you should probably clear your schedule for Saturday, January 17. That is when the real fireworks start. We have a massive doubleheader that makes up for the lack of a Thursday game.
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The Buffalo Bills are heading to Mile High to take on the Denver Broncos. That’s the early game on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET. If you haven't been paying attention, the Broncos secured that No. 1 seed and have been resting up. Meanwhile, the Bills are coming off a wild win against the Jaguars where Josh Allen looked like he was playing Madden on rookie mode.
Later that night, at 8:00 p.m. ET, we get a classic NFC West grudge match. The San Francisco 49ers are traveling to Seattle. The Seahawks managed to snag the top seed in the NFC, and Lumen Field is going to be deafening. Honestly, a Thursday night slot wouldn't do this rivalry justice. It needs the primetime Saturday night "big game" feel.
Saturday, January 17 Matchups
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS/Paramount+)
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: 8:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
Sunday, January 18 Matchups
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:00 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
What to Do With Your Thursday and Friday Night
Since the answer to who plays on Thursday night football tomorrow night is "nobody," you’ve got some free time. If you’re still itching for sports, the NBA and college hoops are filling the void. Tomorrow night (Friday), the schedule is usually packed with some decent hardwood action.
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Or, you could do what most of us die-hards do: spend the night looking at injury reports.
For example, the 49ers' defense is a bit of a walking hospital ward right now. They've been missing Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, and their depth is being tested in a way that’s honestly kind of impressive. Watching guys like Eric Kendricks step up and fill those gaps has been one of the quietest but most important stories of this playoff run.
You’ve also got the weather to consider. If you’re a betting person, keep an eye on the forecast for Denver and Chicago. Mid-January in those cities isn't exactly a beach vacation. We’re looking at potentially "frozen tundra" conditions that could turn these high-flying offenses into ground-and-pound slugfests.
Actionable Steps for the Football-Less Weekend
Don't let the lack of a Thursday or Friday game ruin your momentum. Use this gap to get your setup ready for the gauntlet that starts Saturday.
- Check Your Subscriptions: Since the games are spread across CBS, FOX, ABC/ESPN, and NBC, make sure your logins are working. If you're a cord-cutter, platforms like Fubo or YouTube TV are your best friends here.
- Study the Matchups: If you're looking at the Bills/Broncos game, look at the turnover margins. Bo Nix has been careful with the ball, but the Bills' defense thrives on chaos.
- Stock the Fridge Now: Don't be the person at the grocery store on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. The lines will be long, and they'll be out of the good wings.
While the "Thursday Night Football" era is over for the 2025-2026 season, the most intense part of the year is just beginning. We are only six games away from finding out who hoists the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara. Enjoy the night off—you’re going to need your energy for the weekend.