If you tuned in this past Thursday, January 15, 2026, looking for a high-stakes NFL showdown on your TV, you probably found yourself staring at a movie rerun or a different sport entirely. It’s a common mix-up. People everywhere were searching for who won the game thursday night football, only to realize that the NFL schedule shifts gears once the postseason hits.
There actually wasn't a game this past Thursday.
The regular season wrapped up, and with it, the weekly Prime Video tradition of Thursday night games came to a halt. While the "Thursday Night Football" brand is a staple of our fall and winter routines, the league almost never schedules playoff games on Thursdays to ensure teams have enough recovery time after their Week 18 finishes.
The Last Team to Win on a Thursday
To find the actual answer to who won the most recent Thursday game, we have to look back to the final stretch of the regular season. The last time the league played on a Thursday was back in late December 2025.
If we’re looking at the very last "Thursday Night Football" branded game of the 2025-2026 season, it was a matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks on December 18, 2025. In that contest, the Rams managed to pull off a 37-point performance to beat the Seahawks.
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However, many fans are also remembering the college football action that just took place on a Thursday. On January 8, 2026, the Miami Hurricanes faced off against the Ole Miss Rebels in a massive Fiesta Bowl showdown as part of the College Football Playoff semifinals. Miami walked away with a 31-27 victory in that one, punchin their ticket to the national title conversation.
Why the Thursday Night Schedule Disappears
It’s kinda frustrating when you're used to that Thursday night rhythm. You’ve got your snacks ready, you sit down, and... nothing. The NFL does this for a few reasons:
- Player Safety: Short weeks are brutal on bodies. In the playoffs, where every hit is harder and every play matters more, the league avoids forcing teams into a 4-day turnaround.
- Television Ratings: The NFL maximizes viewership by stacking the Divisional Round and Wild Card games on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Travel Logistics: With teams flying across the country for postseason matchups, a Thursday slot would be a nightmare for coaching staffs trying to prep a game plan.
Honestly, the "Thursday Night Football" package is an Amazon Prime exclusive for the regular season. Once the playoffs start, the broadcasting rights shift to the heavy hitters like CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN/ABC.
What Happened in the Games That Actually Mattered
Since there was no game this past Thursday, the real action shifted to the Divisional Round over the weekend of January 17-18, 2026. If you were looking for winners, this is where the real story unfolded.
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The Denver Broncos hosted the Buffalo Bills on Saturday afternoon. It was a heart-stopper. Bo Nix, the Broncos' rising star, led a drive late in overtime to set up a Wil Lutz field goal. Denver won 33-30, but the victory felt heavy—Nix suffered a broken ankle late in the game, leaving Denver's AFC Championship hopes in a bit of a tailspin.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantled the San Francisco 49ers in their Saturday night matchup. The final score was a lopsided 41-6. Seattle’s defense looked like the "Legion of Boom" of old, and Kenneth Walker III found the endzone multiple times. It wasn't even close.
Recent NFL Results (January 2026)
- Saturday, Jan 17: Denver Broncos 33, Buffalo Bills 30 (OT)
- Saturday, Jan 17: Seattle Seahawks 41, San Francisco 49ers 6
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (Check local listings for final)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (Check local listings for final)
Clearing Up the Confusion
Wait, what about the Christmas games? People often get "Thursday Night Football" confused with special holiday broadcasts. On Thursday, December 25, 2025, there were actually several games because it was Christmas Day. The Cowboys beat the Commanders 30-23, and the Vikings took down the Lions 23-10.
Because those were holiday specials, they don't always fall under the standard "TNF" umbrella, even though they happened on a Thursday. It's basically a branding maze that the NFL loves to put us through.
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Looking Ahead to the Next Big Game
If you're still searching for who won the game thursday night football because you want to know who is left in the hunt for Super Bowl LX, the field is narrowing fast. We are now down to the final four.
The AFC and NFC Championship games are set for Sunday, January 25, 2026. The Denver Broncos will be fighting for a spot in the Super Bowl without their starting quarterback, which is a massive storyline heading into next week. They'll face either the Patriots or the Texans depending on today's outcome in Foxborough.
On the NFC side, the Seahawks are waiting to see if they’ll be hosting the Rams or the Bears. Seattle looks like the team to beat right now after that 41-6 statement win over San Francisco.
Actionable Steps for Football Fans
To stay ahead of the curve and avoid the "where is the game?" Thursday night blues, here is what you should do:
- Sync your calendar: Download the official NFL app and sync the postseason schedule to your phone. It automatically updates based on your time zone.
- Check the "Divisional Round" labels: Remember that after Week 18, the Thursday night slot is dead until next September.
- Watch for injury reports: Especially with Bo Nix out for Denver, the betting lines and "expert" picks for the AFC Championship are going to fluctuate wildly this week.
- Monitor the weather: Late January football in Denver, Foxborough, or Chicago is always a factor. If you're looking at scores, the weather usually explains why a high-powered offense suddenly only puts up 13 points.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is almost over. While Thursday nights are quiet for now, the intensity of the Sunday matchups more than makes up for it.