If you're scrolling through your TV guide or refreshing your sports apps wondering who plays tonight on the nfl football game, I have some news that might be a little frustrating if you were planning on a Friday night kickoff.
There is actually no NFL game tonight, Friday, January 16, 2026.
I know, it feels like there should be. We just finished a wild Wild Card weekend, and the Divisional Round is staring us right in the face. But the NFL sticks to a pretty rigid postseason schedule once we hit the mid-January stretch. While we saw some Friday games during the regular season and even over the holidays, the league moves back to the traditional Saturday and Sunday slots for the Divisional playoffs.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a breather for the players, but a total bummer for fans who just want to see some playoff action on a Friday night. Instead of a game tonight, we’re in that "calm before the storm" window where teams are finalizing their travel and fans are arguing about point spreads.
When the Real Action Starts: The Saturday Doubleheader
Since nobody is taking the field tonight, your next chance to catch a game is tomorrow, Saturday, January 17. The NFL is giving us a massive doubleheader to start the Divisional Round, and the matchups are actually pretty incredible.
💡 You might also like: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
First up, the No. 6 Buffalo Bills travel to Mile High to face the No. 1 seed Denver Broncos. That one kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. The Broncos have been resting up after their first-round bye, while the Bills are coming off a tight 27-24 win over Jacksonville.
Then, the nightcap is a divisional rivalry that usually ends in some kind of chaos. The San Francisco 49ers head to Seattle to take on the top-seeded Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. These two teams just saw each other in Week 18, where Seattle won 13-3 to clinch home-field advantage. Seeing them play for a third time this season—with a trip to the NFC Championship on the line—is going to be electric.
Why Isn't There a Game Tonight?
Basically, it comes down to the "Broadcast Sports Act" and how the NFL manages player recovery. The league rarely schedules Friday night games because they try to avoid competing with high school football during the fall. Even though high school seasons are over by January, the NFL likes to keep its playoff structure consistent: two games on Saturday, two on Sunday.
Also, the teams playing tomorrow need every second of prep.
📖 Related: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
The 49ers, for example, are playing on just five days of rest after beating the Eagles last Sunday. Throwing a game on Friday would have been a logistical nightmare for a team traveling to Seattle. You've gotta think about the recovery time for guys like Christian McCaffrey, who is the engine of that Niners offense.
The Saturday Schedule (January 17, 2026)
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos | 4:30 p.m. ET | CBS/Paramount+
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks | 8:00 p.m. ET | FOX/Fubo
What Most People Get Wrong About the Divisional Round
People often assume the No. 1 seeds are a lock because they had a week off. But the "rest vs. rust" debate is real.
The Seahawks and Broncos haven't played a meaningful snap in nearly two weeks. Meanwhile, the Bills and 49ers are coming in with all the momentum of a Wild Card win. If you're looking for an upset, watch that Bills-Broncos game. Sam Darnold has been surprisingly efficient for Seattle, but Brock Purdy has a 5-2 playoff record. He knows how to handle the noise at Lumen Field, even if he's missing George Kittle, who has been dealing with injuries lately.
The Seahawks’ defense has been the best in the NFC against the run this year. That puts a lot of pressure on Purdy to win with his arm against a secondary led by Riq Woolen, who has been playing out of his mind lately.
👉 See also: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
Preparing for a Massive Football Weekend
Since you won't find the who plays tonight on the nfl football game answer to be an actual live matchup, you might as well get your setup ready for tomorrow.
The weather in Denver is looking chilly, and Chicago (where the Bears play Sunday) is expecting frigid conditions. That usually means we’re going to see a lot of "ground and pound" football. If you’re a betting person, the under might be your friend this weekend.
Next Steps for Your Football Weekend:
- Check your subscriptions: Make sure your Paramount+ (for CBS games) and Peacock (for Sunday’s Rams-Bears game) logins are actually working. There is nothing worse than missing a kickoff because of a password reset.
- Monitor the injury reports: Keep a close eye on the Seahawks' status for Sam Darnold. Coach Mike Macdonald said he’s "optimistic," but if that changes, the whole vibe of the NFC bracket shifts.
- Set your alerts: Saturday’s games start earlier than the usual Sunday window, so don't get caught napping at 4:30 p.m. ET.
The Friday night wait is tough, but tomorrow’s slate is well worth the 24-hour delay.