Why isn't there a Thursday Night Football game tonight? Here's a look

Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read
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This is the last week of the NFL regular season, which means there has been a shake-up in TV programming.

There isn't a Thursday Night Football game tonight, Jan. 5, because the NFL only scheduled Thursday games through Week 17. Amazon Prime Video, which hosted 15 games between Weeks 2 and 17, aired its final TNF broadcast of the season on Dec. 29.

However, there will be two nationally televised football games this Saturday, both broadcast on ABC and ESPN.

Here's what you need to know.

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New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in a game on Dec. 24.
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in a game on Dec. 24.

Why isn't there a Thursday Night Football game tonight?

The 2022 Thursday Night Football schedule ran from Weeks 1 to 17, and included games with all 32 clubs. The final broadcast was the Dallas Cowboys against the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 29.

The NFL doesn't schedule Thursday night games for the last week of the regular season because there are playoff implications. Playing a Thursday night game in Week 18 could give teams an unfair advantage or disadvantage.

Was Thursday Night Football canceled after Damar Hamlin's collapse?

No. Thursday Night Football ended on-schedule, and its conclusion is not related to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin's critical injury.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Bills' Week 17 matchup was postponed after Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during the game's first quarter. On Wednesday, the NFL said discussions are ongoing about whether to resume the game.

When is the next scheduled NFL game?

There are two nationally televised NFL games happening Saturday. Both will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN:

  • Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders at 4:30 p.m.

  • Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars at 8:15 p.m.

When is the Cincinnati Bengals' next game?

The Baltimore Ravens play the Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why isn't there a Thursday Night Football game tonight?