If you're frantically checking your remote to see what channel are the Vikings on today, I have some news that might sting a bit depending on how much of a die-hard fan you are.
It is Thursday, January 15, 2026.
There is no Vikings game on today. Honestly, there isn't any NFL football on at all this afternoon. Thursday Night Football ended with the regular season, and the league usually takes a breather during the week once the playoffs start to let the surviving teams actually, you know, recover.
Where are the Vikings right now?
The Minnesota Vikings finished their 2025-2026 regular season with a 9-8 record. They actually went on a bit of a tear at the end of the year, winning four straight games against the Commanders, Cowboys, Giants, and that satisfying 16-3 win over the Packers in Week 18.
But it wasn't enough.
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Despite the late-season heroics, the Vikings are not in the current playoff bracket. They didn't make the cut for the Wild Card round that just wrapped up a few days ago. While teams like the Chicago Bears (who are somehow the No. 2 seed) and the Seattle Seahawks are preparing for the Divisional Round this weekend, Kevin O'Connell's squad is likely already looking at draft boards and scouting reports for the 2026 season.
How to watch the NFL games that ARE on this weekend
Since the Vikings aren't on your screen today, you might be looking for a backup plan. The NFL playoffs continue this Saturday and Sunday. If you want to see who might be representing the NFC in the Super Bowl, here is who is playing and where to find them:
- Saturday, January 17: The Buffalo Bills take on the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Later that night, the San Francisco 49ers visit the Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
- Sunday, January 18: The Houston Texans face the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN. To wrap up the weekend, the Los Angeles Rams play the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Basically, if you're looking for Vikings action, you're going to have to wait for the 2026 preseason or settle for watching Justin Jefferson highlights on YouTube.
What the Vikings' 2026 schedule looks like
Even though there's no game today, the NFL has already essentially locked in who the Vikings will play next season based on their third-place finish in the NFC North.
You've got the standard home-and-away matchups against the Lions, Bears, and Packers. Beyond the division, Minnesota is slated to host the Falcons, Panthers, Bills, Dolphins, and the Colts. On the road, they’ll be heading to places like New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and even out west to face the San Francisco 49ers.
The actual dates and "what channel" those games will be on won't be announced until the NFL schedule release in May 2026. Usually, that’s a big primetime event on NFL Network where we all find out how many times the Vikings have to play at noon on Sundays versus getting those coveted night slots.
Actionable steps for Vikings fans
If you're still looking for a football fix today or this week, here is what you can actually do:
- Check the 2026 Draft Order: Since the Vikings are out, their draft position is mostly set. Start looking at mock drafts to see which defensive tackles or offensive guards might be heading to Minneapolis.
- Tune into KFAN 100.3: Paul Allen and the crew are almost certainly dissecting what went wrong this season and what needs to change in the front office.
- Set your DVR for Saturday: Even without the purple and gold, the Divisional Round is arguably the best weekend of football all year. Make sure your streaming apps like Paramount+ (for CBS games) and Peacock (for NBC games) are updated.
The season is over for the Skol chant, but the road to the 2026 season has basically already started.