If you woke up this morning wondering who won last night NFL football, you might be surprised to find the scoreboard empty. Actually, there wasn't a game. Last night, Friday, January 16, 2026, was a rare breather in an otherwise chaotic postseason schedule.
We are currently sitting in the eye of the storm. The Wild Card round just wrapped up a few days ago with a Monday night defensive masterclass by the Houston Texans, and the Divisional Round kicks off this afternoon. It feels weird, right? Usually, the NFL owns every night of the week when January rolls around, but Friday was the calm before the divisional literal storm.
Why No One Played Last Night
The NFL tends to stick to its Saturday-Sunday-Monday rhythm for the playoffs. While we’ve seen some "Black Friday" games during the regular season recently, the league keeps the playoff intensity focused on the weekends. This gives the teams that played on Monday—specifically the Texans—a fighting chance to recover before they have to travel again.
Honestly, the players probably needed the rest. If you saw the Wild Card games, you know they were brutal. Four of those matchups were decided by four points or fewer. That is a league record for a single playoff round.
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Looking Back: The Last Team to Win
Since there wasn't a game last night, the "most recent" winner is still the Houston Texans. They walked into Pittsburgh on Monday night and absolutely dismantled the Steelers 30-6. It was a statement game.
C.J. Stroud was efficient, but that defense? Man, they were terrifying. They sacked Aaron Rodgers four times. Yes, Rodgers is still slinging it in 2026, but the Texans made him look every bit of his age. They forced a fumble that Sheldon Rankins took to the house and capped it off with a Calen Bullock pick-six.
Wild Card Recap: The Teams Still Alive
If you’re trying to keep track of who survived the opening weekend, here is how the bracket shook out:
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- Los Angeles Rams outlasted the Panthers 34-31. Matthew Stafford hit Colby Parkinson for a touchdown with 38 seconds left. Heartbreaker for Bryce Young.
- Chicago Bears pulled off a miracle against the Packers, winning 31-27. Caleb Williams was down 21-3 at half and somehow threw two touchdowns in the final seven minutes to steal it.
- Buffalo Bills squeaked by the Jaguars 27-24. Josh Allen did Josh Allen things, including a 1-yard plunge to take the lead late.
- San Francisco 49ers upset the Eagles 23-19. Brock Purdy found Christian McCaffrey for the game-winner with under three minutes to go.
- New England Patriots smothered the Chargers 16-3. Drake Maye got his first playoff win in a game that was basically a defensive slugfest.
What Happens Today?
Since you're looking for who won last night NFL football, you're likely gearing up for the Divisional Round which starts today, Saturday, January 17. The stakes are significantly higher now because the heavy hitters are coming off their bye weeks.
Today’s Matchups (Saturday, Jan 17):
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET on CBS): The Broncos are the #1 seed in the AFC. They've been resting while the Bills had to fight for their lives in Jacksonville.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:15 PM ET on FOX): This is a massive divisional rivalry. The Seahawks are the NFC's top seed, but the 49ers have all the momentum after knocking off Philly.
The Strategy for the Divisional Round
Usually, the home team has a massive advantage here. The Broncos at Mile High in January is a nightmare for any visiting team. However, keep an eye on the injury reports. The 49ers are playing on short rest, and the Seahawks have been sitting at home waiting for them.
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The oddsmakers are leaning toward the home favorites, but if this year's Wild Card round taught us anything, it's that the "underdog" tag doesn't mean much. The Rams and 49ers both won on the road last week.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're following the action today, here is what you need to do to stay ahead:
- Check the Weather in Denver: It's January. Wind and snow at Empower Field can turn a high-flying offense like Buffalo's into a ground-and-pound struggle.
- Monitor Christian McCaffrey’s Status: He’s been the engine for the 49ers, but he took some big hits in the Eagles game. His health is the difference between a Niners win and a Seahawks blowout.
- Set Your Reminders: The first game starts at 4:30 PM ET. Don't be the person asking who won after the first quarter is already over.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is narrowing. By tomorrow night, we’ll know exactly who is playing for the AFC and NFC championships.