NFL fans, don’t reach for the remote just yet on New Year’s Day — the pros are taking a little holiday break. Instead, the spotlight this January 1 shines squarely on the College Football Playoff, giving fans a full day of high-stakes, heart-pounding matchups before the NFL returns to the field.
Yes, it’s Thursday, but there’s no NFL action today. Thursday Night Football has wrapped for the season, leaving the league to save all the drama for the weekend and, eventually, the playoffs. So, if you’re craving a gridiron fix on January 1, you’ll want to tune into ESPN and your favorite bowl game coverage.
Week 18 Kicks Off Saturday, January 3
All eyes in the NFL turn to Saturday, January 3, when the Week 18 finale delivers a double-header that could shape the NFC playoff picture. First up, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers at 4:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on both ESPN and ABC. The NFC South crown is still up for grabs, and one team will claim that final playoff berth, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the last whistle.
Then, as evening falls, the Seattle Seahawks square off against the San Francisco 49ers at 8 p.m. ET, also on ESPN and ABC. This isn’t just a game — it’s a battle for the NFC West title and the coveted No. 1 seed, setting up a postseason that promises high drama and intense rivalries.
For those who like a quick visual, here’s the Week 18 NFL lineup for Saturday, January 3:
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 3 | Panthers vs. Buccaneers | 4:30 p.m. | ABC/ESPN |
| Jan. 3 | Seahawks vs. 49ers | 8 p.m. | ABC/ESPN |
New Year’s Day Is College Football Day
So, what’s on January 1? Three thrilling College Football Playoff bowls, that’s what. This year’s lineup is designed to get fans pumped for the postseason while NFL players enjoy a rare day off.
- No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas Tech kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN.
- No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana follows at 4 p.m. ET, also on ESPN.
- No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Georgia closes the day at 8 p.m. ET, giving college fans a finale to remember.
With three powerhouse games, New Year’s Day is a treat for anyone who loves touchdowns, upsets, and edge-of-your-seat moments.
NFL Playoffs Start Next Weekend
Once the Week 18 dust settles, the NFL postseason officially kicks off on January 10, 2026. The league prefers to stack the final regular-season games close together so teams head into the playoffs with momentum, not burnout.
The projected Wild Card schedule looks like this (all times ET):
| Date | Round | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 10 | Wild Card | 4:30 p.m. | Prime, CBS or FOX |
| Jan. 10 | Wild Card | 8 p.m. | Prime, CBS or FOX |
| Jan. 11 | Wild Card | 1 p.m. | Prime, CBS or FOX |
| Jan. 11 | Wild Card | 4:30 p.m. | Prime, CBS or FOX |
| Jan. 11 | Wild Card | 8:15 p.m. | NBC |
| Jan. 12 | Wild Card | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| Jan. 17 | Divisional Round | 4:30 p.m. | TBD |
| Jan. 17 | Divisional Round | 8:15 p.m. | TBD |
| Jan. 18 | Divisional Round | 3 p.m. | TBD |
| Jan. 18 | Divisional Round | 6:30 p.m. | TBD |
| Jan. 25 | AFC Championship | 3 p.m. | CBS |
| Jan. 25 | NFC Championship | 6:30 p.m. | FOX |
| Feb. 8 | Super Bowl 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | NBC |
Playoff Picture: 12 Teams Already In
Heading into Week 18, the postseason picture is mostly set. Twelve teams have already clinched playoff spots, leaving just two open — one in the NFC South and one in the AFC North. Those final matchups will determine the last tickets punched for the postseason party.
Teams already dancing into the playoffs include:
- Denver Broncos
- Seattle Seahawks
- New England Patriots
- Chicago Bears
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Houston Texans
- San Francisco 49ers
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Buffalo Bills
- Green Bay Packers
That means fans are already buzzing about which squads will snag the remaining playoff spots and how Week 18 could shake up the seeding.
Why This Week Matters
Week 18 isn’t just about final records; it’s about momentum, bragging rights, and playoff positioning. Every snap, every touchdown, every defensive stop counts. A win can catapult a team to the top seed, while a loss could flip a playoff picture entirely.
For NFC South fans, the Buccaneers-Panthers matchup is basically a do-or-die showdown. Meanwhile, in the NFC West, the Seahawks-49ers battle is more than pride — the winner walks away with the division crown and the No. 1 seed, a coveted advantage heading into the playoffs.
A Weekend for Football Lovers
Even though NFL fans are on a short New Year’s hiatus, there’s plenty of football to keep the adrenaline pumping. College football enthusiasts can celebrate the CFP bowls while NFL devotees eagerly await Saturday’s NFC double-header. And once Week 18 wraps, the league shifts full speed into the playoffs, setting the stage for unforgettable January and February matchups.
It’s the perfect time to cozy up with snacks, gather your crew, and enjoy back-to-back football marathons — starting with the high-stakes college bowl games on New Year’s Day, then transitioning to NFL drama on Saturday.
So, mark your calendars: no football on the NFL side for Thursday, January 1. But keep those remote fingers ready for January 3 and beyond. Whether it’s college glory or NFL playoff fever, January is shaping up to be one sweet, touchdown-filled month.