So, you’re looking for the score. You’ve got the wings ready, the couch is calling your name, and you want to know who's playing nfl games today.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you're looking for a kickoff right this second on Friday, January 16, 2026, you’re going to find a whole lot of nothing on the major networks. No pro football today. Honestly, it’s the calm before the absolute storm that is the Divisional Round.
The NFL schedule-makers usually keep Fridays clear during the postseason. It gives the teams an extra day of travel and recovery, and frankly, it gives us a chance to actually get some work done before losing forty-eight hours to the TV. But don't go anywhere just yet. While there aren't games today, the matchups set for tomorrow and Sunday are basically heavyweight fights.
The Saturday Slate: No. 1 Seeds Enter the Fray
The "real" football starts tomorrow, Saturday, January 17. This is when the big dogs—the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks—finally have to defend their home turf after sitting out the Wild Card round with those hard-earned byes.
Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS / Paramount+
This one is weirdly personal. Remember last year? The Bills absolutely embarrassed Denver 31-7 in the Wild Card round. Now, the Broncos are the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 14-3 record, but the Vegas oddsmakers are actually leaning toward Buffalo by about 1.5 points. It’s rare to see a top seed as a home underdog.
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The Broncos' defense has been a brick wall at Mile High, but Buffalo’s momentum after beating Jacksonville last week is scary. If Josh Allen stays mistake-free in that thin Colorado air, Denver could be in for a long afternoon.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
This is an NFC West bloodbath. These two teams have already played twice this season. They split the series. Seattle took the season finale 13-3, which essentially gave them the top seed and the bye.
The 49ers are coming off a gritty win over the Eagles where they looked battered but resilient. Brock Purdy is dealing with a litany of injuries around him—specifically, George Kittle is out—but they just keep finding ways to win. Seattle’s "Legion of Boom 2.0" is only giving up about 17 points a game. It's going to be loud. It’s going to be rainy. It’s going to be classic playoff football.
Sunday’s Matchups: The Underdogs are Barking
If Saturday is about the heavyweights, Sunday is about the survivors.
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Houston Texans at New England Patriots
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN / ABC / ESPN+
Houston just dismantled Pittsburgh 30-6. C.J. Stroud is playing like a ten-year veteran, but there’s a massive "if" hanging over this game: Nico Collins. The Texans' star receiver is currently stuck in concussion protocol. Reports from insiders like Adam Schefter suggest he’s a long shot to play.
New England, led by a revitalized defense that just sacked Justin Herbert six times last week, is waiting at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots haven't lost a Divisional Round game at home in what feels like forever. If Collins is out, look for veteran Christian Kirk to try and carry the load again like he did against the Steelers.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC / Peacock
The weekend wraps up at Soldier Field. The Bears are the No. 2 seed, but they’re facing a Rams team that just survived a shootout with Carolina. This game is all about the matchups on the perimeter.
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Chicago’s DC, Dennis Allen, admitted this week that slowing down the Puka Nacua and Davante Adams duo will take an "exceptional effort." If the Chicago weather holds up and remains a frozen tundra, it might neutralize the Rams' speed. If not? It’s a track meet in the mud.
Why There Are No Games on Friday
It’s a common question. Why does the NFL skip Fridays?
Basically, it's about the "Short Week" problem. If the Texans played on Monday night (which they did, beating Pittsburgh), asking them to play again on a Friday would be a player safety nightmare. The league treats the Divisional Round as a premium television event, and they want the Saturday/Sunday windows to maximize those sweet, sweet advertising dollars.
Plus, it builds the hype. By the time 4:30 p.m. hits tomorrow, every sports bar in the country will be at capacity.
What You Should Do Instead Today
Since you can't watch who's playing nfl games today, you might as well prep for the weekend.
- Check the Injury Reports: Keep a close eye on Nico Collins (Texans) and Sam Darnold (Seahawks). Darnold is dealing with an oblique injury that could change the entire vibe of the 49ers/Seahawks game.
- Update Your Apps: If you’re streaming, make sure your Paramount+ and Peacock logins actually work. There is nothing worse than missing a first-quarter touchdown because you had to reset your password.
- Set Your Lineups: If you're still playing DFS or playoff fantasy, today is the day to lock in those value picks. Christian Kirk is a name popping up in every sharp's notebook right now.
The wait is almost over. Enjoy the quiet Friday, because tomorrow is going to be pure chaos.
Key Actionable Steps:
- Monitor the Weather: Denver is looking chilly; Chicago could be worse. This heavily impacts the "Under" on total points.
- Verify Local Listings: While most games are on national TV, the ESPN/ABC simulcast for the Texans game offers different viewing experiences (like the ManningCast if you prefer commentary over game sounds).
- Confirm Kickoff Times: Remember, Saturday starts at 4:30 p.m. ET, not the usual 1:00 p.m. Sunday window.