You've got the wings ready. The couch is calling your name. You’re looking for who's playing Monday night football in the NFL because, let’s face it, Monday night without a game feels like a pizza without cheese.
But if you flip on ESPN right now expecting to see professional helmets clashing, you're going to be a little confused.
Honestly, the NFL schedule-makers threw a bit of a curveball this week. Today is Monday, January 19, 2026. While "Monday Night Football" is a brand we associate with the pros, the NFL actually wrapped up its Divisional Round yesterday. There is no NFL game tonight. Instead, the biggest stage in football has been handed over to the college kids for the National Championship.
The Mystery of the Missing Monday Night NFL Game
It’s kinda weird, right? We just came off a Wild Card weekend where the Houston Texans absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers on a Monday night (January 12). That game had everyone thinking the Monday night slot was a permanent fixture for the playoffs.
But the NFL is protective of its schedule.
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They don't like to compete with the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship. Tonight, the #1 Indiana Hoosiers are taking on the #10 Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Because that game is such a massive TV draw, the NFL intentionally cleared the deck. They finished their Divisional Round games yesterday, Sunday, January 18.
If you missed those games, you missed some absolute bangers. The Denver Broncos managed to outlast the Buffalo Bills in a 33-30 overtime thriller on Saturday. Then, on Sunday, the New England Patriots smothered the Texans, and the Chicago Bears took down the Rams.
Basically, the NFL is taking a breather before the Conference Championships next Sunday.
Who's Playing Monday Night Football in the NFL Next?
Since there’s no game tonight, you’re probably wondering when the Monday night tradition returns. Here’s the deal: for the 2025-2026 postseason, the "Monday" experiment is mostly over.
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The NFL usually only does one Monday night playoff game, and that was the Wild Card matchup last week. From here on out, it’s all about Championship Sunday and, eventually, the Super Bowl.
If you're looking for the next time the pros suit up, you’ll have to wait until Sunday, January 25, 2026. That’s when the real hardware starts getting handed out. We’ve got the AFC Championship at 3:00 PM ET and the NFC Championship at 6:30 PM ET.
Why the NFL skips this specific Monday
It’s all about the "gentleman’s agreement" between the NFL and the NCAA.
Money talks. Advertisers don't want to split their budgets between a pro game and the college title game. By stepping aside, the NFL lets the CFP have its moment in the sun—or rather, under the stadium lights in Miami. Plus, it gives the four remaining NFL teams a full week to recover before the biggest games of their lives.
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What to watch instead of the NFL tonight
If you still need your football fix, you aren't totally out of luck.
- The CFP National Championship: Indiana vs. Miami. It starts at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
- ManningCast? Nope, Peyton and Eli are off tonight too, though they’ll likely be back for the Super Bowl coverage.
- Replays: If you're desperate, NFL Network is usually running "NFL Replay" of the weekend's best games. The Broncos-Bills overtime game is definitely worth a second look if you can find it.
Wrapping up the Monday Night confusion
It’s a bummer when you're hyped for a game that isn't there. We’ve been conditioned for months to expect who's playing Monday night football in the NFL to be the top search on our phones every Monday.
Just remember that once the calendar hits mid-January, the schedule gets a little wonky. The NFL moves to weekends to maximize those massive Sunday afternoon audiences.
The pros will be back on Sunday to decide who goes to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara. For tonight, maybe give the college game a chance. Indiana is trying to complete a historic 16-0 season, and that’s a story even the most die-hard NFL fan can get behind.
Next Steps for Football Fans:
- Check the Sunday Schedule: Mark your calendar for January 25 for the AFC and NFC Championship games.
- Update Your Apps: Ensure your sports apps are set to "Playoff Mode" so you get alerts for the specific kickoff times next Sunday, as they can shift slightly for TV.
- Watch the CFP: Turn on ESPN at 7:30 PM ET tonight if you want to see the future NFL stars playing for the college title.