NFL fans will need to shift their focus to college football on New Year’s Day, as there are no NFL games scheduled for that day. The Thursday Night Football slate has concluded, paving the way for an exciting playoff atmosphere as the season winds down.
The NFL’s Week 18 kicks off with a double-header on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The action begins with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Carolina Panthers at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on both ESPN and ABC. This matchup holds crucial implications for the NFC South, where one final playoff spot is still in contention.
Later that evening, the Seattle Seahawks will face the San Francisco 49ers at 8 p.m. on the same channels. This game will determine the NFC West title and could secure the top seed in the playoffs.
For fans looking to enjoy college football, three bowl games will air on New Year’s Day:
– No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas Tech at 12 p.m. on ESPN
– No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana at 4 p.m. on ESPN
– No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Georgia at 8 p.m. on ESPN
Following the conclusion of the regular season in Week 18, the NFL playoffs will commence on January 10, 2026. All games will be broadcast across various networks, including Prime, CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN/ABC.
As it stands, 12 teams have already secured their playoff berths, leaving only two spots up for grabs for the AFC North and NFC South divisions. The teams that have clinched entry into the postseason include the 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, and Green Bay Packers.
With the playoffs approaching and so much at stake in the final week of the regular season, fans can look forward to thrilling matchups and moments that will shape the journey to Super Bowl 2026.