If you woke up this morning, grabbed your lucky orange jersey, and started looking for the channel to watch the Cleveland Browns, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Honestly, it’s a rough beat for the Dawg Pound. Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026, and while the NFL Divisional Round is in full swing with some absolute bangers on the schedule, the Browns aren't in them.
The short answer? They aren't playing. They're basically on the couch like the rest of us.
After a 2025 season that felt like a relentless roller coaster—mostly the kind that makes you want to throw up your stadium mustard—Cleveland finished with a 5-12 record. They actually ended on a bit of a high note, beating the Bengals 20-18 in Week 18 to close out the year, but it wasn't nearly enough to snag a playoff spot. Because they finished at the bottom of the AFC North, their season officially wrapped up on January 4th.
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Where Are Browns Playing Today and Who Is Actually on the Field?
When you search for where are browns playing today, you’re likely seeing a lot of "Divisional Round" hype. That’s because the NFL playoffs are currently happening at the highest level. If you're looking for football to watch right now, here is what the actual Saturday slate looks like:
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This kicks off at 4:30 PM ET on CBS. The Broncos are the top seed in the AFC this year, which is wild to think about, and they’re hosting a Bills team that just narrowly escaped the Wild Card round.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: An NFC West divisional rivalry in the playoffs? Yes, please. That one starts at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
It’s definitely frustrating to see the Steelers or the Texans (who are playing tomorrow) still in the hunt while Cleveland is already looking toward the draft. But that is the reality of a 5-12 finish.
Why the 2025 Season Went Sideways
It wasn't all bad news, though. If you want a silver lining, look at Myles Garrett. The man is a literal cyborg. He broke the NFL single-season sack record in that final game against Cincinnati, taking down Joe Burrow to hit the new mark. But despite his historic year, the offense just couldn't stay consistent.
Between the quarterback carousel—remember the brief Kenny Pickett era before he was traded to the Raiders?—and the struggles to find a rhythm under Kevin Stefanski, the Browns just didn't have the juice to compete in a loaded AFC North.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Browns Schedule
Even though we know where are browns playing today (hint: nowhere), we actually already know who they will be playing next season. Because the 2025 regular season is over, the NFL has finalized the opponents for 2026.
Since the Browns finished last in the division, they get a "last-place schedule." This sounds insulting, but in the NFL, it’s actually a gift. It means they'll play other teams that finished at the bottom of their respective divisions, which theoretically makes for an easier path back to the playoffs.
2026 Home Games at Huntington Bank Field
The atmosphere in Cleveland is always top-tier, even when the record isn't. Next year, fans will see:
- The usual AFC North suspects: Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers.
- The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts from the AFC South.
- The Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers from the NFC South.
- The Las Vegas Raiders.
2026 Road Trips
If you like traveling with the team, the 2026 away slate has some interesting stops. You’ve got the divisional games, obviously, but the Browns will also head to:
- Tampa Bay to face Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers.
- New Orleans to take on the Saints.
- A massive game in Jacksonville.
- A trip to the Meadowlands to play both the Jets and the Giants.
What Fans Should Do Now
Since there is no game to watch today, the focus for the Dawg Pound shifts entirely to the offseason. The Browns hold a high draft pick, and the rumors are already swirling about what they’ll do with it. Will they stick with the young talent they have, or is there another big move coming at quarterback?
The front office has a lot of work to do. They picked up a first-round pick from Jacksonville in that Travis Hunter trade, which gives them some serious capital to fix the roster.
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For now, the best way to spend your Saturday is to enjoy the Divisional Round games as a neutral observer. Watch the Bills and Broncos battle it out this afternoon, and keep an eye on the Seahawks tonight. It’s better than sitting around dwelling on a 5-12 season.
Actionable Next Steps for Browns Fans:
- Check the Draft Order: With the season over, Cleveland’s spot in the 2026 NFL Draft is locked in. Start looking at mock drafts to see which offensive linemen or receivers might be available.
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: Keep an eye on the "Black Monday" fallout. Even though Stefanski seems safe for now, there could be changes to the coordinator positions.
- Watch the AFC North Rivals: The Steelers may have lost in the Wild Card, but watching how the rest of the AFC plays this weekend will give you a good idea of the gap Cleveland needs to close.
The Browns aren't on the field today, but the road to 2026 has already started.