If you are currently scouring your cable guide or refreshing your streaming apps to figure out what channel is the browns game on today, I have some tough news to deliver. Grab a coffee. Sit down.
The Cleveland Browns are not playing today, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer for the Dawg Pound. While today is a massive day for NFL football—it's Divisional Round Sunday—the Browns are already deep into their offseason. They aren't on CBS. They aren't on FOX. They aren't even on that one random streaming service you forgot you subscribed to last year.
The Reality of the 2025-2026 Browns Season
The Browns officially wrapped up their 2025 campaign back on January 4, 2026. They played the Cincinnati Bengals in the regular-season finale. It was a close one, actually. Cleveland managed to pull off a 20-18 win at Paycor Stadium, but it wasn't enough to save the season or the coaching staff.
They finished with a 5-12 record.
Because of that record, the Browns did not qualify for the 2026 NFL Playoffs. While teams like the Houston Texans and the New England Patriots are duking it out today for a spot in the AFC Championship, the Cleveland roster is mostly at home or on vacation.
What Happened to the Playoffs?
The AFC North was a gauntlet this year. The Pittsburgh Steelers made the cut as a division winner, though they were eliminated in the Wild Card round by the Texans. The Browns, unfortunately, never really found their rhythm after a 3-14 disaster the year prior.
The front office decided they had seen enough. On January 5, 2026, just one day after the season ended, the team fired head coach Kevin Stefanski.
General Manager Andrew Berry is staying put, but the search for a new leader is the biggest thing happening in Berea right now. That’s why you won't find a game on the schedule today; the team is fundamentally in a state of rebuilding and transition.
What Football is Actually on TV Today?
Just because the Browns aren't playing doesn't mean you have to stare at a blank screen. Today is one of the best betting and viewing days of the year. If you were searching for what channel is the browns game on today hoping for some AFC action, you can still catch the teams that knocked the Browns out of contention.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: ABC / ESPN
- The Stakes: This is the AFC Divisional matchup. The winner moves on to face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC / Peacock
- The Stakes: An NFC showdown at Soldier Field. The winner of this game travels to Seattle to play the Seahawks next week.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Cleveland Browns
Since there is no game today, the focus shifts to the future. The 2026 season will be the Browns' 74th in the NFL. There is a lot of noise surrounding the quarterback room, specifically with Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel on the roster.
The 2026 opponents are already set, though the exact dates won't be revealed by the NFL until the spring.
Home Games at Huntington Bank Field:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Los Angeles Chargers
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away Games:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Houston Texans
It's a tough road. Playing the Chiefs and the Broncos in the same year is never a walk in the park.
How to Stay Connected During the Offseason
If you’re feeling that post-season void, the best thing to do is track the coaching search. The Browns are looking for someone who can finally stabilize the offense and make use of the talent like Myles Garrett before his prime starts to wane.
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You can listen to local experts on 92.3 The Fan or 850 ESPN Cleveland. They are talking about the Browns 24/7, even when there isn't a game.
Check the official Browns mobile app for press conferences regarding the new head coach hire. Usually, these announcements happen late in January or early February. Once a new coach is in place, the next big date is the NFL Draft in April, where the Browns will look to add pieces to that 5-12 core.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Tune into ABC at 3:00 PM ET to watch the Texans and Patriots; it's the closest thing to "Browns-adjacent" football you'll get today since it features AFC rivals.
- Follow the NFL Draft order updates to see where the Browns' early picks land now that the regular season is over.
- Monitor Cleveland area sports news for the official announcement of the next head coach, which is expected within the next two weeks.