So, you’re looking for the game. You've got the snacks ready, the couch is calling, and you're wondering who's playing nfl monday night right now.
Here is the thing: the answer depends entirely on whether you’re looking for a professional showdown or the biggest game in the college world. We are currently in that weird, overlapping window of January where the NFL schedule shifts gears and college football reaches its fever pitch.
If you were looking for the NFL Wild Card Monday night game, that ship has unfortunately sailed. On January 12, 2026, the Houston Texans absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 30-6 victory at Acrisure Stadium. It was a massive statement win for C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans, marking the franchise's first-ever road playoff win. It also felt like the end of an era, as legendary coach Mike Tomlin stepped down shortly after.
But if you are looking at the calendar for Monday, January 19, 2026, the lights aren't on for the NFL. They're on for the kids.
The Monday Night Spotlight: Indiana vs. Miami
While "Monday Night Football" is a brand we usually associate with the pros, the biggest game on Monday, January 19, is the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship.
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The No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers are taking on the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes.
It’s happening at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Basically, Miami has a home-field advantage for the biggest game of their lives. Indiana is coming in undefeated at 15-0, which is honestly wild considering where that program was just a few years ago. Curt Cignetti has turned them into a juggernaut that wins games by an average of nearly 29 points.
Why there isn't an NFL game tonight
The NFL usually wraps up its Monday night obligations during the Wild Card round. Once we hit the Divisional Round—which is happening right now, January 17-18—the league shifts to a Saturday/Sunday exclusive schedule.
The NFL doesn't want to compete with the CFP National Championship. It’s a respect thing, but mostly a business thing. Nobody wants to split the TV ratings.
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Here is how the NFL Divisional Round shook out this weekend while you were waiting for Monday:
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (Saturday)
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (Saturday)
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (Sunday)
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (Sunday)
If you’re a Texans fan riding the high of that Monday night win against Pittsburgh, you already know your team played yesterday (Sunday) against the Patriots. The "Monday night" slot is effectively vacant for the NFL until next season's regular-season kickoff.
What happened to the Monday Night Football slot?
For decades, Monday was the exclusive territory of the NFL. But the 2025-2026 season saw some experiments. We had "ManningCasts," we had doubleheaders on ESPN and ABC, and we had the final Wild Card game on a Monday.
When you ask who's playing nfl monday night in late January, you're usually catching the tail end of that playoff transition. The NFL uses Monday night in the first round of the playoffs to maximize TV revenue, but they vacate it immediately afterward.
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The Texans-Steelers game on Jan 12 was the "finale" for Monday night NFL action this season. Aaron Rodgers, playing for Pittsburgh, struggled against a Houston defense that looked like the best in the league. Sheldon Rankins even scored a defensive touchdown off a Rodgers fumble. It was a lopsided affair that drew over 29 million viewers, proving that people will watch football on Monday no matter who is on the field.
Where to find football on Monday nights now
Since the NFL is done with Mondays for the year, your viewing habits have to pivot.
- Check ESPN for the CFP Championship: This is the only "big" football game left on a Monday this month. Indiana and Miami kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Wait for the Conference Championships: These will be played on Sunday, January 25, 2026. No Monday games there.
- The Super Bowl: Super Bowl LX is set for Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium. Again, no Monday night action.
It’s a bit of a bummer if you’re a creature of habit. You get used to that 8:15 p.m. kickoff all through September, October, and November. Then, suddenly, the playoffs hit and the schedule gets all wonky.
Actionable Steps for Football Fans
If you’re staring at a blank TV screen tonight wondering where the NFL went, here is what you should actually do:
- Pivot to the CFP: Even if you aren't a college fan, watching No. 1 Indiana try to complete a perfect season against a resurgent Miami team is high-level football. It’s on ESPN and usually features a "MegaCast" with different viewing options.
- Review the Divisional Results: Since the NFL played on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, Monday is the day for the "talking heads" to break down who's heading to the AFC and NFC Championship games.
- Mark your calendar for Jan 25: That’s the next time you’ll see live NFL action. It’ll be the final four teams fighting for a trip to Santa Clara.
- Watch the ManningCast Archive: If you really miss the Monday night vibe, ESPN+ usually carries the replays of the Peyton and Eli broadcasts from earlier in the season.
The quest to find out who's playing nfl monday night usually leads to a realization that the season is almost over. We are down to the elite few. Whether you’re mourning the Steelers' loss or cheering for the Texans' Cinderella run, the Monday night era of the 2025-2026 season is officially in the books.
Next time the NFL occupies this time slot, it’ll be a whole new season with a whole new set of expectations. For now, enjoy the college kids playing for the trophy tonight.