Honestly, if you're looking for live NFL game scores from today, Friday, January 16, 2026, you’re going to be staring at a big, empty scoreboard. It’s that weird, quiet pocket of the postseason where the hype is deafening but the actual field is silent. We just finished one of the most chaotic Wild Card weekends in history—seriously, four games decided by four points or less?—and now we’re basically stuck in the "calm before the storm" phase.
Today is a travel and practice day. Coaches are probably living on black coffee and three hours of sleep, while we’re left refreshing Twitter for injury updates on Christian McCaffrey’s calf or whatever's going on in the Denver backfield.
If you’re wondering what actually happened to get us here, or when the real hitting starts again, let’s break down the madness of the last few days and the absolute gauntlet that starts tomorrow.
What Happened to the Wild Card Winners?
The first round of the 2026 playoffs was a total fever dream. The Houston Texans basically walked into Pittsburgh and ended an era, crushing the Steelers 30–6 on Monday night. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Houston’s defense looked like a brick wall, sacking Aaron Rodgers four times. If that was truly Rodgers’ last game, it was a rough way to go out.
Then you have the Chicago Bears. Man, what a rollercoaster. They were down 21–3 to the Packers at the half. Most fans at Soldier Field were probably ready to head for the exits, but Caleb Williams somehow engineered a miracle. That 25-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Moore with less than two minutes left? Pure magic. Chicago won 31–27, and it felt like the city might actually shake off its foundations.
Here is a quick look at how the scoreboard finished for the Wild Card round:
- Rams 34, Panthers 31: Stafford still has the clutch gene.
- Bills 27, Jaguars 24: Josh Allen's late-game scramble saved Buffalo's season.
- 49ers 23, Eagles 19: Brock Purdy to McCaffrey. Predictable, yet unstoppable.
- Patriots 16, Chargers 3: A defensive masterclass in Foxborough.
The Divisional Round Matchups You Need to Know
Since there are no NFL game scores from today, all eyes move to Saturday. The Divisional Round is where the "pretenders" usually get sorted out from the "contenders," and the schedule for January 17 and 18 is stacked.
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Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (Saturday, 4:30 PM ET)
This is the big one. The Broncos have been resting since their 14–3 regular season ended, earning that coveted No. 1 seed and the bye week. Buffalo is coming in hot after that nail-biter in Jacksonville. Can Josh Allen handle the thin air and the rested Denver pass rush? Denver is currently a 1.5-point favorite, which basically means Vegas has no idea what’s going to happen.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (Saturday, 8:00 PM ET)
Divisional rivals meeting in the playoffs is always a recipe for a 15-yard penalty festival. They split their regular-season series, and Seattle has the home-field advantage at Lumen Field. The Seahawks are favored by 7, which feels a bit disrespectful to Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers, but that Seattle crowd is no joke in January.
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (Sunday, 3:00 PM ET)
The Texans earned their first road playoff win in franchise history on Monday. Now they have to go to Foxborough. The Patriots finished the season 15–3 and their defense is currently playing like it’s 2003 again. New England is a 3-point favorite, but honestly, don’t count out C.J. Stroud and that Houston momentum.
Why Today Matters for Your Betting Slip
Even though there isn't a game tonight, today is arguably the most important day for anyone looking at the odds. This is when the final injury reports drop.
For example, the Los Angeles Rams are heading to Chicago on Sunday. Matthew Stafford has been dealing with some lingering soreness, and if he’s not 100%, that 3.5-point spread in favor of the Rams looks a lot shakier. The Bears are playing at home for a divisional game for the first time in 15 years. The energy in that stadium is going to be suffocating.
If you’re looking for a sleeper pick, keep an eye on the Texans. They’ve won 10 straight games. Ten! They’re playing with house money right now, and teams like that are dangerous because they have absolutely zero fear of the moment.
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Actionable Steps for the Weekend
Since you won't find any NFL game scores from today, here is how you should prepare for the Saturday kickoff:
- Check the Weather for Denver and Seattle: Early forecasts for Saturday suggest some light snow in Denver and the usual mist in Seattle. This favors ground games and stout defenses.
- Monitor the Colts News: It's a bit of a bummer they aren't in the playoffs, but rookie tight end Tyler Warren was just named to the Pro Bowl today, replacing Brock Bowers. It’s a nice bit of news for Indy fans during a quiet Friday.
- Set Your DVR for CBS and FOX: Saturday’s games start at 4:30 PM ET (Bills @ Broncos) and 8:00 PM ET (49ers @ Seahawks).
- Watch the Spread: The lines are moving. If you liked the Bears as home underdogs, get those picks in before the public jumps on the "Caleb Williams hype train" again tomorrow morning.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow. By Sunday night, we’ll know the four teams left standing. For now, enjoy the quiet of Friday—it’s the last bit of peace you’re going to get until February.