Lions Football Today: Here Is the Breakdown
If you are looking for the Detroit Lions on your TV guide today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, I have some news that might be a bummer. There is no NFL game today. Basically, the league doesn't do playoff games on Thursdays. After a wild opening round, we are currently in that weird midweek lull where everyone is just talking about injury reports and bracket predictions while waiting for the Divisional Round to start this weekend.
Now, if you saw a headline about a "Lions" game happening right now, you aren't crazy. You likely caught a glimpse of the Lindenwood Lions schedule. They are actually playing a big nationally televised college basketball game against SEMO tonight at 8:00 PM CT. You can find that one on ESPNU. But for the NFL squad in Honolulu Blue? You've gotta wait a few more days to see if they move any closer to the Super Bowl.
What Channel Is the Lions Playing On Today (And When Is the Next Game)?
When people ask what channel is the lions playing on today, they are usually hunting for the NFL postseason schedule. The 2025-26 season has been a bit of a rollercoaster for Detroit. While they didn't snag the first-round bye (that went to the Seahawks), the playoff atmosphere in Michigan is still electric.
The NFL Divisional Round officially kicks off on Saturday, January 17. Since the Lions aren't on the field today, here is where you can catch the actual NFL action this weekend:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos at 4:30 PM ET on CBS.
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET on NBC.
Wait, notice something? The Lions aren't on that list. Honestly, it’s a tough pill to swallow for the fans at Ford Field, but after that January 4th loss to the Chicago Bears, Detroit's playoff run for this year officially came to an end. They finished the season with a 10-23 loss to the Vikings in Week 17 and then struggled to keep pace in the final stretch.
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Why the 2026 Lions Schedule Matters Right Now
Even though they aren't playing today, the "2026 season" talk is already starting. Since the regular season just wrapped up, we actually know exactly who the Lions are going to play next year. It’s kinda interesting how the NFL formula works—by finishing where they did in the NFC North, their 2026 schedule is locked in based on divisional rotations.
Next year, the Lions will face:
- The NFC South: Expect games against the Saints, Bucs, Falcons, and Panthers.
- The AFC East: This means matchups with the Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, and Jets.
- The Mirror Finishers: Because of their ranking, they'll also play the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans.
If you’re a season ticket holder or just someone who likes to plan road trips, keep an eye on those away games in Miami and Arizona. Those are much better than a cold December game in Chicago, trust me.
Common Misconceptions About Lions TV Coverage
There is always a ton of confusion about where to watch games these days because the NFL keeps moving the goalposts on streaming. People get frustrated. It’s understandable.
Last season, we saw games on Netflix (Christmas Day) and Amazon Prime. If you’re trying to find the Lions today or any other day, you basically need a checklist of five different apps. For the 2026 season, expect more of the same. Local Detroit fans will still get the games on FOX 2 or Local 4, but if you’re out of market, you’re looking at YouTube TV for Sunday Ticket or Paramount+ for the CBS games.
Actionable Steps for Lions Fans Today
Since there isn't a game to yell at the TV for tonight, here is what you should actually do to stay ready for the off-season:
- Check the Senior Bowl Rosters: The Lions' front office, led by Brad Holmes, loves finding gems in the draft. The Senior Bowl is coming up soon, and that's where the next Penei Sewell or Amon-Ra St. Brown might show up.
- Audit Your Streaming Subs: If you only got Peacock or Amazon Prime to watch NFL games, and your team is out, you might want to hit that cancel button to save some cash before the auto-renew hits.
- Watch the O-Line News: PFF just released their final 2025 rankings, and the Lions finished 12th. That's a drop from their top-5 status in previous years. Watch for news on Tate Ratledge and how they plan to beef up the interior this spring.
The hunt for a Super Bowl ring in Detroit continues, just not on a Thursday in mid-January. Keep your gear ready for the draft in April.