As the 2025 NFL season rushes toward its conclusion, Week 18 is poised to be a critical turning point for teams and fans alike. With the final two playoff spots and four division titles still up for grabs, anticipation is high for the concluding games of the season.
This year, however, fans looking for the traditional kickoff of “Thursday Night Football” will find disappointment, as there will be no game to start off Week 18. Instead, the action will commence on Saturday, January 3, at 4:30 p.m. ET, featuring a significant clash between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This matchup holds the potential to be decisive in determining the NFC South champion.
The “Thursday Night Football” segment concluded on Christmas with an exciting game where the Denver Broncos triumphed over the Kansas City Chiefs, finishing Amazon’s 2025 slate of Thursday broadcasts. The platform will resume its football programming in the 2026 season after completing its commitment for the wild-card playoff games, where renowned commentators Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, and Kaylee Hartung will lend their expertise.
Throughout the season, Amazon broadcasted a total of 21 Thursday games, with 15 airing on their platform while the remaining six were distributed across CBS, Fox, NBC, and Netflix during crucial kickoff and holiday periods, including a historic Black Friday game. In total, Amazon has offered 17 games this season, which includes their playoff coverage.
Looking ahead, the playoffs are set to begin from January 10 to 12, 2026, with a thrilling wild-card round featuring a series of matchups over the three days. Fans can expect two games on the opening Saturday, followed by three more on Sunday, and a decisive game on Monday to wrap up the wild-card weekend.
As the excitement builds for these pivotal matchups in Week 18 and the upcoming playoffs, fans are reminded that every game counts in the pursuit of the Super Bowl, underscoring the competitive spirit that defines the NFL.