So, you’re looking for the score. You probably hopped on the couch, grabbed a snack, and realized the screen was devoid of oversized men crashing into each other. If you're asking who won Thursday night game on January 15, 2026, the answer is actually "nobody."
The NFL is weird like that once January hits.
Basically, the "Thursday Night Football" brand that Amazon Prime Video carries like a prized possession actually dies out once the regular season ends. We just finished a wild Wild Card weekend, and the league is currently holding its breath for the Divisional Round. Since the NFL likes to maximize ratings and give teams a fair shake at recovery, they don’t play playoff games on Thursday nights.
Honesty time: it’s kinda frustrating when you've spent months conditioned to expect a game the moment the weekend feels close. But instead of a final score, we have a bunch of teams like the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks sitting at home, resting their legs while the rest of the world waits for Saturday.
The Thursday Night Football Playoff Disappearance
Why do they do this? It’s all about the "short week" problem. During the regular season, teams hate playing on Thursdays because they just got beaten up on Sunday. In the playoffs, where every single hit matters ten times more, the NFL avoids the Thursday slot to ensure the highest quality of play.
You’ve probably noticed the schedule shifted. We’re currently in the gap between the Wild Card round (which ended with that Monday night thriller where the Houston Texans took down the Pittsburgh Steelers) and the Divisional Round.
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If you were looking for a game on January 15, you likely saw some NBA action—like the Knicks playing the Warriors—or maybe some college hoops. But on the gridiron? Total silence.
What Actually Happened on the Last Thursday Night Game?
If you're confusing this week with the actual last time we saw a big Thursday night result, you’re probably thinking back to the regular season finale or the mid-season shockers.
Remember the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles? That was a Thursday night game that actually mattered. Jaxson Dart, the rookie who has everyone in New York actually feeling hopeful for once, led the Giants to a 34-17 win over the Eagles back in October. It was a massive upset. People were calling Jalen Hurts' MVP chances into question after that one because he threw a backbreaking interception to Cordale Flott.
But that was ages ago in football time.
Who Plays Next?
Since there was no winner this Thursday, the focus shifts entirely to the Saturday and Sunday slate. The Divisional Round is where the "real" season begins for the heavy hitters who earned a bye.
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Here is what the schedule looks like for the games that are actually happening:
- Saturday, Jan 17: The Buffalo Bills travel to Mile High to face the Denver Broncos. This is a heavyweight AFC bout. Josh Allen is coming off a gritty win against Jacksonville, but Denver has been a fortress this year.
- Saturday, Jan 17: A massive NFC West rivalry. The San Francisco 49ers are taking on the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks. Seattle has been resting, but the 49ers just scraped by the Eagles in the Wild Card round.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The Houston Texans go to Foxborough. The New England Patriots are favored, but C.J. Stroud has a habit of making people look stupid for doubting him.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The Los Angeles Rams vs. the Chicago Bears. This one is fascinating because Caleb Williams is basically playing with house money at this point after that 18-point comeback against Green Bay.
Why You Thought There Was a Game
It’s easy to get confused. Usually, by the time Thursday rolls around, the hype machine is in full gear. Because the NFL expanded the playoffs to include a Monday night game (like the Texans/Steelers game we just saw), it pushes the whole schedule back.
In the old days, we’d be used to a more rigid Saturday/Sunday format. Now, with the "Super Wild Card Weekend" bleeding into Monday, the "Who won Thursday night game" question becomes a common search for fans who are just trying to keep up with the chaotic 2026 bracket.
Even though there wasn't a kickoff on the 15th, the news cycle didn't stop. We saw the Atlanta Falcons officially hire Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach this week. Coaching carousels usually spin the fastest on the days when no games are being played.
Preparing for the Weekend
If you were looking for a score to settle a bet or update your bracket, you'll have to wait until the Bills and Broncos kick off on Saturday afternoon.
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The Broncos are coming in as the No. 1 seed in the AFC for a reason. Their defense has been historically good at home. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are trying to prove that their 14-3 regular season wasn't a fluke.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the 49ers. Playing a physical game against Philly on Sunday and then having to travel to Seattle for a Saturday night kickoff is as close to a "short week" as it gets in the postseason.
Since you now know there was no game this Thursday, the best move is to check your local listings for the CBS and FOX doubleheaders starting Saturday. The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow, and by Sunday night, we'll only have four teams left standing.
Check the weather for Denver before Saturday's kickoff; early reports suggest it’s going to be a "frozen tundra" situation which usually favors the run game and punishes high-flying passing offenses.