Wait, didn't the regular season just end? It feels like five minutes ago we were arguing about Week 1 power rankings, and yet here we are, deep in the 2026 postseason. If you’re checking your calendar and asking who’s playing NFL Monday night football, the answer is actually a bit of a trick question this week.
Honestly, the NFL schedule-makers love to mess with our heads once January hits. For the last few months, Monday night meant one thing: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on your TV. But now that we’ve crossed into the Divisional Round, the traditional "Monday Night Football" branding has officially wrapped up for the year.
Technically, the last time we saw a game on a Monday was just a few days ago, specifically on January 12, 2026. That was the Wild Card finale where the Houston Texans absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30–6. If you were looking for a game tonight, January 19, you’re going to find something very different on the schedule instead.
The Monday Night Football Finale: What Happened?
The Houston Texans are for real. C.J. Stroud didn’t just win that Monday night game; he basically retired a specific era of Steelers dominance. Heading into that January 12 matchup at Acrisure Stadium, the Steelers had a ridiculous 23-game winning streak at home on Monday Night Football.
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It was a streak that spanned decades. Mike Tomlin had never even lost a home Monday night game. Then the Texans showed up.
Houston’s defense, led by Will Anderson Jr., was relentless. They forced Aaron Rodgers—yeah, he’s still out there—into a fumble that Sheldon Rankins returned for a 33-yard touchdown. That was the dagger. The Texans scored 23 points in the fourth quarter alone. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement.
Why There Isn’t a Monday Night Game Tonight
So, if you’re staring at your screen on Monday, January 19, 2026, looking for an NFL game, you’re out of luck. The league typically reserves the Monday slot for the final game of the Wild Card round to maximize ratings. Once the field narrows to the final eight teams for the Divisional Round, they consolidate everything into a Saturday-Sunday doubleheader.
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Instead of an NFL game, tonight is the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship. The NFL generally clears the deck for this. They don't want to compete with the biggest game in college sports, and honestly, the networks (ESPN/ABC) are too busy hauling all their gear to the championship site anyway.
Recapping the Divisional Round Madness
Since we don't have a game tonight, let’s look at the chaos that just unfolded over the weekend. The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow.
The AFC Side
The Denver Broncos pulled off an absolute heartbreaker against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, winning 33–30 in overtime. It’s kinda wild to see Denver as the No. 1 seed, but they’ve played like it. On the other side of the bracket, the Houston Texans had to travel to Foxborough yesterday, Sunday, Jan 18, to face Drake Maye and the New England Patriots.
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The NFC Side
The Seattle Seahawks look like the team to beat right now. They hosted the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday and it wasn't even close—a 41–6 blowout. Then yesterday, we had a classic "old guard vs. new guard" battle at Soldier Field. Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears hosted Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.
What’s Next for the Winners?
With the Monday night schedule officially dead for the season, all eyes shift to the Conference Championships. These are set for Sunday, January 25, 2026.
- AFC Championship: The Denver Broncos will host the winner of the Texans/Patriots game at 3:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
- NFC Championship: The Seattle Seahawks are staying home to host the winner of the Rams/Bears game at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
It’s basically a sprint to the finish line now.
Actionable Tips for the Post-MNF Void
Since your Monday nights are now officially football-free until next September, here is how you should handle the next few weeks:
- Check the Broadcasts: The Conference Championships are split between CBS and FOX. If you’ve been relying on ESPN+ or ABC for your Monday fix, make sure your antenna or local cable package is ready for the Sunday triple-headers.
- Super Bowl Prep: Super Bowl LX is scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium. It’ll be on NBC this year. If you’re planning a party, that’s the date to circle.
- Watch the CFP: If you absolutely need a football fix tonight, Jan 19, tune into the College Football Playoff National Championship on ESPN. It’s usually the closest thing to NFL speed you’ll find.
- Track the Injuries: Keep a close eye on Nico Collins. He left the Monday night game against the Steelers for a concussion evaluation. If the Texans want any chance of moving past the Divisional Round or into the AFC Championship, they need their WR1 healthy.
The Monday night lights are off, but the brightest ones are just about to turn on.