If you just sat down on your couch, cracked a drink, and started scrolling through Amazon Prime only to find a glaring lack of pads and helmets, you aren’t alone. It’s a habit. We’ve been conditioned for months to expect that midweek gridiron fix. But if you’re looking for who's playing on thursday night football in the nfl tonight, January 16, 2026, the answer is actually: nobody.
The lights are off. The stadiums are empty.
Honestly, it’s kind of a bummer, but there is a very specific, logical reason for the blackout. We have officially transitioned out of the regular season rhythm and into the high-stakes chaos of the NFL Divisional Round. The league has a long-standing tradition of killing off the Thursday night slot once the playoffs really heat up to ensure teams aren’t playing the biggest games of their lives on short rest.
Why There Is No Thursday Night Football Tonight
The NFL regular season is a marathon, but the playoffs are a series of sprints. During the 18-week regular season, the league leans heavily into "Thursday Night Football" to dominate the midweek TV ratings. But once the Wild Card round concludes—which just happened this past weekend—the schedule tightens up.
For the Divisional Round, the league prioritizes "competitive equity." Basically, they don't want a team like the Buffalo Bills or the Denver Broncos having to play on a Thursday when their potential opponent might have played the previous Monday. It creates too much of a rest discrepancy. Because of that, the NFL pushes all the action to the weekend.
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Instead of a game tonight, we’re in that weird "limbo" Thursday where fans have to actually talk to their families or, more likely, obsessively check the injury reports for the games coming up on Saturday and Sunday.
The Upcoming Divisional Round Schedule
Just because there isn't a game tonight doesn't mean the season is over. Far from it. We have eight teams left, and the matchups for this weekend are massive. If you were looking for your football fix, you only have to wait about 48 hours.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This is the early bird special at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. The Broncos have been a juggernaut at home this year, and Empower Field at Mile High is going to be loud.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: An NFC West rivalry in the postseason? Yes, please. Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. These two teams know each other's playbooks better than their own, so expect a chess match.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: C.J. Stroud vs. the New England defense is the story here. This kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. There’s a lot of talk about Nico Collins’ status for this one, which could change the entire complexion of the Texans' offense.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: We finish the weekend at Soldier Field. It’s going to be cold, it’s going to be gritty, and it starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Common Misconceptions About the TNF Schedule
People get confused every single year around mid-January. You see "Thursday Night Football" on your calendar for four months, and then suddenly it vanishes.
One thing people often get wrong is thinking Amazon Prime still has a game "hidden" somewhere. Nope. Amazon’s package for the 2025-2026 season actually concluded with the regular season (aside from their exclusive Wild Card game, which we already saw).
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Another point of confusion is the College Football Playoff. In years past, college ball has occasionally filled the Thursday void. But tonight, the sports world is relatively quiet on the football front as everyone travels to the Divisional sites.
What to Watch Tonight Instead
Since you’ve already got the TV on and the snacks ready, you don't have to just stare at a blank screen. There’s actually a decent slate of other sports if you're willing to pivot.
The NBA is taking over the Prime Video slots tonight. You’ve got the Memphis Grizzlies taking on the Orlando Magic at 2:00 p.m. ET, followed by a pretty spicy matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets at 7:30 p.m. ET. If you’re a hoop head, the late game features the Golden State Warriors at 10:00 p.m. ET.
On the college side, No. 9 Gonzaga is playing Washington State at 10:00 p.m. ET on CBSSN. It’s not a goal-line stand in the rain, but it’ll keep the competitive itch scratched until Saturday.
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Preparing for the Weekend
If you were counting on who's playing on thursday night football in the nfl to help you set your fantasy lineups or place some bets, you've actually got more time than you thought. This extra 48 hours is crucial for checking those final practice reports.
- Monitor the Nico Collins injury: The Texans' star receiver is currently in concussion protocol. Reports from Thursday suggest he's a long shot to play Sunday. If he’s out, Christian Kirk and the rest of the Houston corps have to carry a much heavier load.
- Watch the Weather in Denver and Chicago: We are looking at true "football weather." Wind and freezing temperatures are expected, which usually means a heavier dose of the run game and a lower total score.
- Check the Betting Lines: Currently, the Patriots are sitting as 3-point favorites over the Texans, and the Seahawks are favored by 7 over the Niners. Those lines could move as we get closer to Saturday morning.
The "Thursday Night Football" brand is officially on ice until the 2026 preseason starts up again in August. It feels like a long wait, but the intensity of the games we’re about to get this weekend usually makes up for the quiet Thursday nights.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Sync your calendar: Set alerts for the Bills vs. Broncos game at 4:30 p.m. ET this Saturday so you don't miss the start of the Divisional Round.
- Update your streaming apps: Ensure your Paramount+ (for CBS), FOX Sports, and Peacock (for NBC) logins are active, as the games are spread across multiple networks this weekend.
- Review final injury reports: Check the official NFL inactive lists on Friday afternoon to see if key players like Nico Collins or any 49ers starters have been cleared to play.