If you’re staring at your TV right now wondering where the Thursday Night Football theme music is, you aren't alone. It’s a bit of a ghost town on the gridiron today, January 15, 2026.
Honestly, the most important thing to know about who was favored in tonight's football game today nfl week is that there actually isn't a game tonight. We are currently in that weird, quiet pocket between the chaos of Wild Card Weekend and the high stakes of the Divisional Round.
The league basically takes a breather on the Thursday before the Divisional Round to let the eight remaining teams prep for the absolute gauntlet coming this Saturday and Sunday. If you were looking for a spread to bet or a matchup to sweat, you’ve gotta hold your horses until the weekend.
The AFC Odds: Denver and New England Hold the Edge
Even though no one is suiting up tonight, the Vegas books are already buzzing about the upcoming matchups.
The Denver Broncos are currently the team to beat in the AFC. They are sitting pretty as the No. 1 seed and are the favorites in their Saturday afternoon clash against the Buffalo Bills. Most books have the Broncos as a slim 1.5-point favorite.
It’s basically a toss-up. Josh Allen is coming off a monster performance against Jacksonville, and Denver’s defense is the only thing standing between him and another AFC Championship appearance.
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Then you’ve got the New England Patriots. They’re favored by 3 points over the Houston Texans for their Sunday afternoon game. Drake Maye has looked surprisingly poised for a rookie in the postseason, and after that 16-3 grind-out win over the Chargers, the vibe in Foxborough is surprisingly electric.
The NFC Odds: Seattle is the Massive Favorite
If you’re looking for the biggest favorite of the week, look no further than the Pacific Northwest.
The Seattle Seahawks are a massive 7-point favorite against the San Francisco 49ers.
Kinda wild, right? Usually, 49ers-Seahawks games are bloodbaths decided by a field goal, but the oddsmakers are clearly worried about San Francisco’s defensive secondary. Sam Darnold has the Seahawks offense humming, and playing at Lumen Field in January is a nightmare for anyone, let alone a No. 6 seed trying to pull off another miracle.
The other NFC matchup is a lot tighter. The Los Angeles Rams are traveling to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears. Despite being the road team, the Rams are actually favored by 3.5 points.
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Matthew Stafford has that "old man strength" going right now. Chicago’s defense is legit, but the betting public clearly trusts Stafford and Sean McVay more than they trust the Bears' young core in a primetime divisional game.
Why There’s No Game Tonight
The NFL used to be a Sunday-only religion. Then came Monday nights. Then Thursday nights.
But once the playoffs hit the Divisional Round, the league shifts its strategy. They want the maximum possible eyeballs on the games, and Thursday night just doesn't offer the same "event" feel as a Saturday-Sunday doubleheader.
Basically, the players need the rest. A team that played on Monday night (like the Texans did this week) would be at a massive, almost unfair disadvantage if they had to turn around and play a Divisional playoff game on a Thursday.
Current Playoff Betting Lines for the Weekend
- Saturday (4:30 PM ET): Bills (+1.5) @ Broncos (-1.5)
- Saturday (8:00 PM ET): 49ers (+7) @ Seahawks (-7)
- Sunday (3:00 PM ET): Texans (+3) @ Patriots (-3)
- Sunday (6:30 PM ET): Rams (-3.5) @ Bears (+3.5)
The moneyline for the Seattle game is the most lopsided, with the Seahawks sitting around -345. That means you’d have to bet $345 just to win $100. It’s a steep price, but it shows just how much faith the experts have in Mike Macdonald’s squad right now.
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What You Should Watch Instead
Since the NFL is dark tonight, you might be looking for a football fix.
There's plenty of talk around the league regarding the coaching carousel. The Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons are both on the hunt for new leadership after firing Jonathan Gannon and Raheem Morris.
Also, keep an eye on the injury reports coming out today. Will Campbell, the Patriots' rookie tackle, has been vocal about his struggles in the Wild Card round, and his ability to hold up against Houston’s pass rush will be the deciding factor in whether New England covers that 3-point spread on Sunday.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Instead of looking for a game that isn't on, use tonight to prep for the weekend's betting and viewing.
- Monitor the Weather in Denver: Saturday's kickoff at Mile High is looking chilly. If the wind picks up, that 46.5-point total might start looking a little high.
- Check the 49ers' Injury Report: Specifically, look at the status of their cornerbacks. If they can’t get healthy before Saturday night, Seattle’s wideouts are going to have a field day.
- Lock in Early Lines: If you like the Rams -3.5, grab it now. Public money usually flows toward the favorites closer to kickoff, and that line could easily jump to -4 or -4.5 by Sunday morning.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is narrowing. By Sunday night, we'll be down to just four teams. Enjoy the quiet tonight—it’s the last one we’ll have for a while.