If you’re refreshing your apps or frantically scrolling through your cable guide to find out who's playing nfl football today, I have some news that might make you want to put the chips back in the pantry for a second.
Today is Friday, January 16, 2026.
There are no NFL games today.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a tease. We just came off a Wild Card weekend that saw the Houston Texans absolutely dismantle the Steelers 30-6 and the San Francisco 49ers pull off a gritty 23-19 upset over the Eagles in Philly. The momentum is huge. The stakes are higher than they’ve been all season. But the league always leaves this Friday gap right before the Divisional Round starts, and it feels like an eternity when you're waiting to see if Drake Maye can actually outplay the Texans' defense.
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Why There’s a Gap in the Schedule
The NFL is a billion-dollar machine that runs on rhythm. Usually, we get that Monday Night Wild Card game—which we did this year with the Texans and Steelers—and that puts the winning team on a short week. By keeping Friday empty, the league ensures that the teams playing on Saturday (the Bills, Broncos, 49ers, and Seahawks) get their full recovery time and the "travel days" don't turn into a logistical nightmare.
Basically, today is the day the equipment managers are loading the buses and the coaches are probably on their 18th cup of coffee looking at film of the Denver Broncos' secondary.
Looking Ahead: The Divisional Round Matchups
Since you came here looking for who's playing nfl football today, let’s get you ready for what is actually happening in less than 24 hours. Tomorrow is when the real chaos begins. We are down to the final eight teams, and the matchups are honestly better than anything we saw in the opening round.
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Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Buffalo Bills (6) at Denver Broncos (1) * Time: 4:30 PM ET | Channel: CBS/Paramount+
- The Vibe: Denver has been the class of the AFC all year, finishing 14-3. They’re coming off a bye week, well-rested, and playing in that thin Mile High air. But Buffalo just knocked off Jacksonville in a 27-24 thriller. Josh Allen is playing like a man who doesn't care about seedings.
- San Francisco 49ers (6) at Seattle Seahawks (1)
- Time: 8:00 PM ET | Channel: FOX
- The Vibe: This is a pure blood-feud. They’ve already played twice this year and split the series. Seattle earned the top seed and the bye, but the Niners are riding high after shocking the Eagles. Watching the 49ers' defense try to contain Seattle’s explosive playmakers at Lumen Field is going to be loud. Really loud.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Houston Texans (5) at New England Patriots (2)
- Time: 3:00 PM ET | Channel: ESPN/ABC
- The Vibe: Drake Maye vs. C.J. Stroud. This is the future of the AFC right here. The Patriots took care of business against the Chargers last week (16-3), while the Texans looked like world-beaters against Pittsburgh. New England's defense is the top-ranked unit in the league, so expect a chess match.
- Los Angeles Rams (5) at Chicago Bears (2)
- Time: 6:30 PM ET | Channel: NBC/Peacock
- The Vibe: Chicago is hosting its first home divisional game in 15 years. Soldier Field will be shaking. Matthew Stafford just led a 71-yard game-winning drive to beat the Panthers 34-31, proving he’s still got that playoff magic.
What to Do While You Wait
Since there isn't a game on the schedule for who's playing nfl football today, you might as well use the time to get your setup ready.
Check your streaming logins. If you’re planning on watching the Bills-Broncos game, make sure your Paramount+ hasn't logged you out. If you’re a Peacock person for the Sunday night Rams-Bears game, do the same. There is nothing worse than missing a kickoff because you’re trying to remember a password you made three years ago.
You should also keep an eye on the injury reports coming out of Foxborough. Drake Maye has been talking about how much he's grown since his first start against Houston 15 months ago, but his success depends heavily on the health of his offensive line against that Texans pass rush.
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The "no-game Friday" is actually a gift. It's the last day of peace before the final sprint to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara. Enjoy the quiet while it lasts.
Your Game Day Checklist:
- Verify your local listings: Saturday games start at 4:30 PM ET, not the usual Sunday 1:00 PM slot.
- Update your apps: Ensure FOX Sports, Paramount+, and Peacock are updated on your smart TV.
- Track the weather: Denver is looking cold for tomorrow, which historically favors the Broncos' ground game over the Bills' deep passing attack.
The road to the Super Bowl is narrow now. We'll see you on the couch tomorrow.