If you woke up today wondering about the scoreboard, you aren't alone. It is mid-January 2026. The air is cold, the stakes are massive, and the sports calendar is basically a fever dream of playoff brackets and high-stakes regular-season matchups.
While the "big" football game everyone is talking about—the College Football Playoff National Championship—is technically looming just around the corner on Monday, January 19th, the gridiron world didn't just stop spinning last night.
Actually, the answer to who won the game last night football depends entirely on whether you're looking for the pro playoffs or the chaotic Friday night collegiate slate.
The NFL Playoff Picture: Who Advanced?
We are currently in that sweet spot of the NFL postseason. Last night didn't feature a live NFL game—those are reserved for the upcoming Divisional Round weekend—but the ripples from the Wild Card results are still being felt.
If you missed the recent action, the Los Angeles Rams managed to escape a nightmare scenario against the Carolina Panthers, winning 34-31. Matthew Stafford looked every bit the veteran, even with a jammed finger, finding Colby Parkinson for the game-winner with only 38 seconds left. It was heart-wrenching for Bryce Young and the Panthers, who actually led late in the fourth.
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Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears pulled off a stunner, beating the Green Bay Packers 31-27. Caleb Williams is officially the hero Chicago has been waiting for. He’s the first Bears QB to beat the Packers twice in a single season since Jim Harbaugh. That is a stat that will get you a free drink in any Chicago bar for the next decade.
Looking Ahead: The Divisional Schedule
Since there wasn't a pro game last night, all eyes are on the schedule for tomorrow and Sunday.
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: Saturday at 1:30 PM.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: Saturday at 5:00 PM.
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: Sunday at 12:00 PM.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: Sunday at 3:30 PM.
College Football: The Road to the Title
The college world is currently bracing for the big one. On Monday, January 19th, No. 10 Miami (FL) will face off against No. 1 Indiana for the National Championship. Yes, you read that right. Indiana.
The Hoosiers absolutely demolished Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl to get here. Miami, on the other hand, has been the "cardiac canes," edging out Ole Miss 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl. Last night was mostly a quiet period for the top-tier programs as they travel and prep for the final showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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What Happened in Other Sports Last Night?
If you were looking for live action on Friday, January 16th, the hardwood and the ice took center stage.
NBA Results (Friday, Jan 16)
The Sacramento Kings are apparently refusing to tank. They beat the Washington Wizards 128-115 last night, marking four wins in a row. Domantas Sabonis made his return after missing 20 games and didn't miss a beat, putting up 13 points and 6 boards off the bench.
Over in Toronto, the LA Clippers edged out the Raptors 121-117. It was a close one, but the veteran IQ of the Clippers' roster proved too much for a Raptors team that was basically playing with a skeleton crew of seven healthy players.
The Brooklyn Nets also took care of business, beating the Chicago Bulls 112-109. Chicago struggled hard, scoring only 40 points in the first half—their second-lowest of the season.
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NHL Results (Friday, Jan 16)
The biggest story in hockey last night was in St. Louis. The St. Louis Blues snapped the Tampa Bay Lightning's 11-game winning streak. It took a shootout, but Jordan Kyrou buried the winner to end the Lightning's bid for a franchise record.
- Nashville Predators crushed the Colorado Avalanche 7-3.
- Anaheim Ducks beat the LA Kings 3-2.
Why the "Last Night" Search is Tricky Right Now
Honestly, it’s a weird time for football fans. We're in the "Friday Lull." The NFL doesn't play on Friday nights during the playoffs to avoid competing with... well, nothing really, but they save the drama for the weekend.
College football is also in a holding pattern. When people search for who won the game last night football on a Saturday morning, they're often catching up on high school scores or local collegiate conferences that play on "off" nights. For example, in NCAA Division I hoops, Providence beat Creighton 93-88 in a total shootout last night.
What You Should Do Next
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve for the games that actually matter for your parlay or your office pool, here's the move:
- Check the Injury Reports for Sunday: Keep a close eye on Matthew Stafford's finger. If he can't grip the ball properly in the cold, the Bears might actually have a path to the NFC Championship.
- Clear the Calendar for Monday Night: Indiana vs. Miami is a matchup nobody predicted in August. It's the first time Indiana has been in this position, and the spread is currently sitting at Indiana -8.5.
- Watch the Seattle Line: The Seahawks are 7-point favorites against the Niners today. That feels high for a rivalry game, even if Seattle has won seven straight.
The wait for the next kickoff is almost over. Saturday's Divisional Round starts in just a few hours, so grab your coffee and get the remote ready.