If you’re sitting on your couch right now, remote in hand, wondering what time the nfl game start today, I’ve got some news that might be a little bit of a letdown. Honestly, there isn't a game on. Not today, Thursday, January 15, 2026.
It’s that weird, quiet pocket of the postseason. We just survived the chaos of Super Wild Card Weekend, and the league is basically taking a collective breath before the Divisional Round kicks off this coming Saturday.
I get it. You’ve got the snacks ready, or maybe you just need that background noise of a stadium crowd. But today is for the film rooms and the injury reports, not the kickoff.
The NFL Game Start Today: Understanding the Playoff Gap
Since today is Thursday, the league is in a "dark" period for broadcasting. During the regular season, we're used to Thursday Night Football on Prime Video, but once the playoffs hit, the schedule shifts entirely to maximize weekend viewership and give teams enough recovery time.
If you were looking for the nfl game start today, you’ll have to wait about 48 hours. The Divisional Round is a different beast than the Wild Card. We’ve cut the field down, and the heavy hitters—the #1 seeds who spent last week resting on their bye—are finally entering the fray.
The Houston Texans just finished dismantling the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 this past Monday night. That game was a statement, but it also means the Texans are on a short week. They won't be playing today; they need every second of that recovery time before they head to Foxborough.
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When does the action actually return?
Since there is no nfl game start today, let’s look at the immediate horizon. The Divisional Round officially begins on Saturday, January 17.
Saturday's slate is looking pretty incredible. First, you've got the Buffalo Bills traveling to Empower Field at Mile High to take on the top-seeded Denver Broncos. That one kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. If you’re a streamer, Paramount+ is your spot.
Then, the nightcap is a total grudge match. The San Francisco 49ers are heading up to Seattle to face the Seahawks at 8:15 p.m. ET on FOX. Lumen Field is going to be deafening.
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Why Thursday Playoff Games Don't Exist
You might be wondering why the NFL doesn't just throw a game on tonight. High ratings, right? Well, it’s mostly about competitive integrity.
- Rest Cycles: Teams playing in the Divisional Round often played on a Sunday or Monday the week prior. Forcing a playoff-intensity game on a Thursday would be an injury nightmare.
- TV Windows: The league wants the massive Saturday and Sunday audiences. Thursday night is great for the regular season, but for the playoffs, the "Big Four" networks want those weekend slots.
- The Bye Week Advantage: The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks earned their #1 seeds. Part of that reward is making their opponents come to them on a standard week of rest, rather than a frantic short-week turnaround.
What to Watch While You Wait
Since you can't find an nfl game start today, you might want to dive into the storylines that are bubbling over.
There's a lot of chatter about Aaron Rodgers. After the Steelers' loss on Monday, people are wondering if that was the last time we'll see him in uniform. Mike Tomlin’s future in Pittsburgh is also a massive talking point in the sports world right now.
You could also check out some of the coaching carousel news. With several teams already eliminated, the interview requests are flying. It’s "Silly Season" for front offices.
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Looking Ahead to Sunday
If Saturday doesn't satisfy your football craving, Sunday, January 18, has the remaining two matchups.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:00 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN).
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock).
The Bears-Rams game at Soldier Field is particularly interesting. Chicago’s defense has been playing lights-out lately, but the Rams' offense looked nearly unstoppable in their Wild Card win over the Panthers.
Actionable Next Steps for Football Fans
Since there isn't an nfl game start today, the best thing you can do is prep for the weekend.
- Check your subscriptions: Make sure your Paramount+ and Peacock logins actually work. There is nothing worse than trying to reset a password five minutes before kickoff.
- Update your fantasy/betting apps: If you're playing daily fantasy or placing props, the lines for Saturday are already live.
- Sync your calendar: Set alerts for 4:30 p.m. ET this Saturday.
The wait is annoying, but the Divisional Round is arguably the best weekend of football in the entire year. The quality of play is higher than the Wild Card, and the desperation is higher than the Conference Championships. Take the night off, watch a movie, and get ready for a heavy dose of football starting Saturday afternoon.