If you’re refreshing your apps looking for an NFL football lineup for today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, I have some news that might sting a bit. There isn't one.
Seriously. No game. The lights at your favorite stadium are off, and the TV schedule is a desert of talk shows and reruns. It’s that weird, quiet pocket of the postseason where the Wild Card chaos has settled, but the Divisional Round hasn’t quite kicked off yet.
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Most fans are so used to the Thursday Night Football routine from the regular season that they forget the schedule shifts once the playoffs hit. Basically, the NFL clears the deck on Thursdays during the postseason to let the hype build for the weekend doubleheaders.
Why the NFL Football Lineup for Today is Empty
It’s actually a strategic move. The league wants maximum eyeballs on the Divisional Round, and that means loading up Saturday and Sunday. If you were hoping to see the Denver Broncos or the New England Patriots tonight, you’ve gotta wait another 48 hours.
The Wild Card round just wrapped up on Monday with the Houston Texans handling business against the Steelers. Giving teams a Thursday game on such a short turnaround would be a player safety nightmare. Plus, the top seeds—Denver and Seattle—have been sitting at home resting. They don't want to burn a primetime slot on a Thursday when they can dominate the entire weekend.
Honestly, use tonight to set your fantasy lineups or check your prop bets. The real action starts Saturday, January 17.
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Looking Ahead: The Divisional Round Slate
Since there’s no NFL football lineup for today, let’s look at what is actually coming down the pipe. We have eight teams left. That’s it. The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting incredibly narrow.
Saturday’s Doubleheader (January 17)
The first game on the docket is the Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. This one is fascinating because Buffalo is the No. 6 seed coming off a massive upset against the Jaguars. Denver has been the class of the AFC all year, but Josh Allen in the playoffs is always a wildcard.
Later that night, we get a classic NFC West grudge match: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks. That’s an 8 p.m. ET start on FOX. Seattle is currently the favorite to win the whole thing, sitting at +280 odds. But the Niners just scraped past Philly and they look like they’ve found their rhythm again.
Sunday’s Frozen Battles (January 18)
Sunday is where things get "football weather" real.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN).
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC).
The Rams and Bears game is the one everyone is talking about. It’s expected to be 19°F at Soldier Field. Nineteen degrees! For a Rams team that plays in a climate-controlled dome in SoFi, that is a brutal adjustment. Ball security is going to be a nightmare in those temperatures.
Injury Reports and Key Absences
Even though there's no game tonight, the injury reports are very much active. You should be watching the "Did Not Participate" (DNP) lists closely today.
In Buffalo, wideout Tyrell Shavers is struggling with a knee issue and missed practice Tuesday. Over in Houston, the big concern is Nico Collins. He’s in concussion protocol, and if the Texans want to beat the Patriots in Foxborough, they desperately need his size on the outside.
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New England is relatively healthy, though backup QB Joshua Dobbs is always ready if anything happens. The Bears are leaning heavily on All-Pro tackle Darnell Wright to keep the Rams' pass rush at bay, which will be no easy task given how Byron Young has been playing lately.
What to Watch For Instead of a Game Tonight
Since your Thursday night is now free, it’s the perfect time to dig into the nuances of the upcoming matchups. Most people just look at the point spreads (Seattle is -7, Denver is -1.5), but the real stories are in the trenches.
Keep an eye on the weather forecasts for Chicago and Foxborough. There’s a legitimate chance of snow for both Sunday games. A "snow fest" in New England could completely change how C.J. Stroud and the Texans attack that Patriots defense. Stroud is a dome/warm weather guy mostly; seeing him navigate a Massachusetts blizzard would be legendary.
Also, look at the coaching carousel news. The New York Giants just hired John Harbaugh, which is a massive ripple in the NFL landscape even if they aren't in the playoffs. It’s one of those "what if" scenarios that fans will be debating all night.
Actionable Steps for Your NFL Weekend
Since you can't watch a game today, here is how you should prep for the Divisional Round:
- Check the Final Injury Reports Friday: Today's reports are preliminary. Friday is when we find out who is "Out" versus "Questionable."
- Monitor the Chicago Wind Gusts: If those gusts hit 40 mph on Sunday night, throw the deep passing game out the window. Focus on the run game props for the Bears and Rams.
- Set Your Saturday Schedule: Remember that the Bills/Broncos game starts earlier than usual (4:30 p.m. ET). Don't get caught running errands when Josh Allen is taking his first snap.
- Watch the Odds: The lines for the Seahawks game have been moving. If it climbs past -7, you might want to look at the Niners to cover.
The wait is annoying, sure. But the four-game stretch we have coming this weekend is basically the best 48 hours in American sports. Get your snacks ready now.
Next Steps: You can track the live weather updates for Soldier Field or check the finalized Buffalo Bills active roster tomorrow afternoon to see if Shavers clears the medical check.