Wait. Stop.
If you're frantically refreshing your betting apps or checking the TV guide to see who's going to win tonight's football game, I have some news that might be a bit of a buzzkill, but it's the reality of the 2026 NFL postseason schedule.
There is no game tonight.
Yeah, I know. It's Thursday, January 15, 2026. Usually, "Thursday Night Football" is our mid-week sanctuary. But we've hit that specific pocket of the playoffs where the league hits the pause button to let the survivors of Wild Card weekend actually, well, survive. We are currently in the eye of the storm, sandwiched between a chaotic opening round and a Divisional slate that looks like a total bloodbath.
Honestly, the "Thursday night" void is kinda necessary this year. Have you seen the injury reports? The Buffalo Bills are basically a walking hospital ward after that slugfest against the Jaguars. If they had to play tonight, they’d be starting guys you’ve never heard of. Instead, we have to wait until Saturday for the real fireworks.
The Divisional Round: Breaking down the Saturday matchups
Since there isn't a game tonight, let's look at the teams that actually have a shot at winning when the lights go on this weekend. The "everyone’s favorite underdog" narrative is getting a massive test in Denver.
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Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (Saturday, 4:30 PM ET)
The Broncos are the #1 seed for a reason. They’ve been absolute monsters at Empower Field at Mile High, going 8-1 at home this season. Most people are looking at the Bills’ 27-24 win over Jacksonville and thinking, "Hey, Josh Allen can carry them." But the altitude is a real thing. It’s not just a cliché.
I was looking at the recent stats; teams coming off a high-stress Wild Card road win typically struggle when they have to go to Denver. The Bills are currently sucking on oxygen tanks just thinking about it. Plus, Buffalo’s injury list is terrifying. Terrel Bernard is dealing with a nasty calf issue, and losing Damar Hamlin (pectoral) and Josh Palmer (ankle) means the depth is paper-thin.
If you’re asking who's going to win tonight's football game—or rather, the first game of the weekend—it’s hard to bet against Denver. They’re rested. They’re healthy. They’re at home.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (Saturday, 8:00 PM ET)
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This is the one I’m actually hyped for. The Seahawks took the #1 seed in the NFC after beating the Niners in the regular-season finale, and now we get the rematch.
Seattle is favored by about 7.5 points. That feels high. Like, really high. San Francisco just went into Philadelphia and knocked out the defending champ Eagles. You can't ignore that.
The big "if" here is the health of the Niners' defense. If Fred Warner is back in the middle, Sam Darnold (who has been playing out of his mind, somehow) might finally turn back into a pumpkin. But the Seahawks have a "voodoo" vibe at Lumen Field. It’s loud. It’s rainy. It’s annoying.
Sunday’s Gauntlet: Texans and Bears on the warpath
If you make it through Saturday without losing your shirt, Sunday has two games that feel like total toss-ups.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET): The Texans just embarrassed the Steelers. 30-6. It wasn't even close. But New England is a 3-point favorite. Why? Because the Patriots' defense is a nightmare to prepare for. They’ve got Christian Gonzalez stalking the secondary, and even though Hunter Henry is limited with a knee injury, the Pats always find a way to win these ugly, low-scoring grinds.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET): It’s going to be freezing. Single digits at Soldier Field. The Bears have this weird "comeback voodoo" going on. They were down 21-3 against Green Bay and somehow scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to win. That’s not sustainable football, but it’s entertaining as hell. The Rams are the better team on paper, but can Matthew Stafford’s arm handle 5-degree weather?
Why the experts are split on the Super Bowl favorites
Right now, the Vegas odds have the Seahawks as the favorites (+270) to win it all. It makes sense. They have the bye, they have the home field, and they have a balanced roster.
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But look at the Texans (+850). If they beat the Pats on Sunday, that price is going to crater. They are the "scary" team nobody wants to play right now. C.J. Stroud (or whoever is under center, given the weird QB rotations we've seen this year) is playing with house money.
On the flip side, the 49ers at +2000 is incredible value if you think they can pull the upset in Seattle. They have the talent; they just haven't been consistent.
Actionable Next Steps for Football Fans
Since there isn't a game to watch tonight, here is how you should actually prepare for the Divisional Round so you aren't guessing when Saturday rolls around:
- Monitor the Friday Injury Reports: This is the most important thing. Keep a close eye on Fred Warner (SF) and Christian Gonzalez (NE). If they are downgraded to "Out," the lines for those games will shift immediately.
- Check the Denver Weather: If there’s a blizzard or high wind, the Bills/Broncos game becomes a rushing contest. That favors Denver’s defense.
- Don't Chase the "Comeback" Narrative: The Chicago Bears are fun, but relying on a 25-point fourth quarter isn't a strategy. If the Rams get up early, don't assume the "Bears Magic" will happen twice.
- Look at Player Props: Instead of picking a winner, look at Christian McCaffrey’s receiving yards. He’s been a security blanket for the Niners, and Seattle’s linebackers have struggled in space all year.
The road to Super Bowl LX in February is narrowing. While you won't find a game on your TV tonight, the "rest days" are often where the games are actually won or lost. Use the extra time to look past the hype and check the actual roster health. Saturday will be here soon enough.