If you’re sitting on your couch right now asking what time is the Raider game tonight, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. Honestly, it’s the kind of news that makes you want to throw your remote.
There is no Raiders game tonight.
Yeah, I know. You probably saw some "Divisional Round" headlines or saw "Raiders" trending on social media and thought the Silver and Black were taking the field for a Saturday night primetime slot. But if we’re being real, the 2025-2026 season didn’t exactly go according to plan for Las Vegas. While teams like the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos are duking it out today, January 17, 2026, the Raiders are currently at home. Or, more accurately, the front office is locked in a conference room trying to figure out who is going to lead this team next year.
Why the Raiders Aren't Playing Tonight
It’s tough to hear, but the Raiders finished the 2025 season with a 3-14 record. That’s a far cry from the playoff atmosphere we all wanted at Allegiant Stadium. They wrapped up their season back on January 4th with a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Since they didn't make the postseason, there is no "tonight" for the NFL Raiders.
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However, I get why people are confused. There are a few reasons your search for what time is the Raider game tonight might have led you here:
- The NFL Playoffs are happening right now. Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026—the Divisional Round. The Bills are playing the Broncos at 4:30 PM ET, and the 49ers are playing the Seahawks at 8:00 PM ET. If you're a football junkie, those are the games on your screen.
- College Basketball is in full swing. There is actually a "Raiders" game tonight, just not the one in Las Vegas. The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are playing against the Missouri State Bears. That game tips off at 5:00 PM Central (6:00 PM ET).
- High School Hoops. In Canfield, Ohio, the South Range Raiders have been making noise lately. Local fans are often searching for their start times, which can sometimes clutter up the search results for the NFL team.
The State of the Silver and Black
Instead of watching a kickoff tonight, Raiders fans are watching the "Coach Search 2026." Following the firing of Pete Carroll on January 5th—basically "Black Monday"—the team has been in a frenzy.
Just yesterday, reports came out that the Raiders are interviewing Joe Brady (Bills OC) and Klay Kubiak (49ers OC). It's a weird feeling. You're searching for a game time, but the only "clock" running for the Raiders right now is the one ticking down toward their next big hire.
They finished dead last in the AFC West. That’s why you’re not seeing them in the Divisional Round tonight. The Broncos, who usually share the bottom of the barrel with us lately, actually managed to secure the #1 seed in the AFC. Watching them host a playoff game today while the Raiders are idle is... well, it’s a lot to take in.
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What To Watch Instead
Since you were hyped for a game, don't let your Saturday go to waste. If you just want to see high-stakes football, here is the actual schedule for the games happening today, January 17:
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
- Time: 4:30 PM ET / 1:30 PM PT
- Channel: CBS / Paramount+
- Why watch: To see if Josh Allen can actually go into Mile High and upset the top seed.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
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- Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
- Channel: FOX
- Why watch: It’s a classic NFC West bloodbath. Plus, Brock Purdy is trying to prove the doubters wrong again.
Looking Ahead to 2026
If you’re already over this season (and honestly, who isn't?), the 2026 opponents are already set. We don't have the exact times yet—the NFL usually drops that schedule in May—but we know who is coming to Vegas.
The Raiders will host the Bills, Dolphins, Rams, and Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium next season. Maybe by the time those games roll around, we won't be searching for game times in the middle of January because we'll actually be in the playoffs.
For now, the answer to what time is the Raider game tonight is officially "not tonight." Take the night off, grab some wings anyway, and watch the Broncos-Bills game. It's better than staring at a blank scoreboard.
If you really need your Raiders fix, the best move right now is to keep an eye on the head coach interviews. That is the real "game" being played in Las Vegas this week. Check the local sports updates tomorrow morning; that's when the news about the Joe Brady interview is expected to leak.