The NFL Week 18 schedule has been completed prompting plenty of confusion on the status of Monday Night Football for today, January 5, 2026. There is no Monday Night Football game on TV tonight, but there will be on January 12.
The January 12, matchup will mark the final game of the wild-card round as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Houston Texans at 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN and ABC. For now, fans will have to wait until Saturday, January 10, when the NFL playoff schedule kicks off.
For fans looking to watch football tonight, there is the FCS Championship between Illinois State and Montana State at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
The NFL does not have Thursday Night Football or Monday Night Football games on Week 18 as the league looks to play games closer together ahead of the postseason. This also allows the teams to have a similar rest period before the postseason begins, but the league did flex two matchups to Saturday in Week 18.
As for the wild card schedule, the NFL kicks off the postseason with a double-header on Saturday, January 10. There is a triple-header of NFL playoff action on Sunday, January 11.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming NFL playoff schedule.
NFL Playoff Schedule: Wild Card Round Begins on Saturday, January 10
Here’s a look at the upcoming NFL playoff schedule. All times listed are in Eastern.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
| January 10 | Rams vs. Panthers | 4:30 p.m. | FOX |
| January 10 | Packers vs. Bears | 8 p.m. | Prime |
| January 11 | Bills vs. Jaguars | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| January 11 | 49ers vs. Eagles | 4:30 p.m. | FOX |
| January 11 | Chargers vs. Patriots | 8 p.m. | NBC |
| January 12 | Texans at Steelers | 8 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| January 17 | Divisional Round | 4:30 p.m. | TBD |
| January 17 | Divisional Round | 8:15 p.m. | TBD |
| January 18 | Divisional Round | 3 p.m. | TBD |
| January 18 | Divisional Round | 6:30 p.m. | TBD |
| January 25 | AFC Championship | 3 p.m. | CBS |
| January 25 | NFC Championship | 6:30 p.m. | FOX |
| February 8 | Super Bowl 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | NBC |
Super Bowl Odds 2026: The Seahawks Are the Favorites to Win the Title
Heading into the NFL playoffs, two NFC teams are the favorites to win the Super Bowl. The Seattle Seahawks are the favorites to win the title at +420, per FanDuel.
Despite being the No. 5 seed, the Los Angeles Rams are second in the Super Bowl odds at +450. The Denver Broncos are the No. 1 seed in the AFC but find themselves third in the Super Bowl odds at +650.
NFC Playoff Bracket 2026: Wild Card Games
Here’s a look at the NFL playoff bracket for the NFC. Seattle secured the No. 1 seed and gets a first-round bye.
The Seahawks will face the highest remaining seed in the divisional round as the NFL re-seeds the bracket. Seattle has home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
| Wild Card | Divisional Round | NFC Championship | Super Bowl |
| 7. Packers | |||
| 2. Bears | |||
| 6.49ers | |||
| NFC Championship | |||
| January 25 | |||
| 3. Eagles | |||
| Super Bowl | |||
| 5.Rams | Feb. 8, San Francisco | ||
| 1. Seahawks | (Will play highest seed) | ||
| 4. Panthers |
AFC Playoff Bracket 2026: Wild Card Games
Here’s a look at the finalized NFL playoff bracket for the AFC. The Broncos landed the No. 1 seed and have a first-round bye.
Denver will face the highest remaining seed in the divisional round and has home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
| Wild Card | Divisional Round | AFC Championship | Super Bowl |
| 7.Chargers | |||
| 2. Patriots | |||
| 6.Bills | |||
| AFC Championship | |||
| January 25 | |||
| 3. Jaguars | |||
| Super Bowl | |||
| 5. Texans | Feb. 8, San Francisco | ||
| 1. Broncos | (Will play highest seed) | ||
| 4. Steelers |
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