Is TNF on Tonight? Complete NFL Week 18 Thursday Night Update

As the NFL wraps up its 2025 regular season in Week 18, fans often ask one key question: Is there Thursday Night Football tonight? While TNF has been a staple of the NFL schedule throughout the season, offering prime-time football on Thursday nights, there will be no TNF game in Week 18.

Instead, the league has opted to place all games on Saturday and Sunday, giving teams adequate rest before the final stretch and maximizing playoff implications without the disadvantage of a short turnaround. This updated format aligns with NFL scheduling rules and viewer interest, ensuring marquee matchups are spread across the weekend. Here’s your full updated Thursday Night Football Week 18 overview and what to expect instead.

Why There’s No Thursday Night Football in Week 18

The NFL and broadcasters typically schedule TNF from Weeks 2 through 17, with each of the 32 teams getting a Thursday appearance, mostly on Prime Video. However, in the final week of the regular season, the league avoids Thursday night games to prevent teams from facing a condensed schedule that could disadvantage playoff contenders. Week 18 instead features games on Saturday and Sunday to allow fair competition and maximize viewership.

What Week 18 Game Days Look Like

With no TNF matchup on Thursday, the NFL moves all Week 18 action to these windows:

Saturday Games

• Saturday doubleheader kicks off the final week, often with early playoff implications and divisional title matchups.

Sunday Games

• The bulk of Week 18’s 32-team slate is played Sunday afternoon and evening, including games that decide playoff seeding and division titles.

🚨 WEEK 18 SCHEDULE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/c4kM67GCmR

— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025

Top Matchups to Watch This Weekend

Although Thursday Night Football isn’t happening, Week 18 still offers compelling contests:

• Steelers vs Ravens: AFC North and likely playoff implications.
• Seahawks vs 49ers: NFC West and top seed on the line.
• Patriots vs Dolphins and other Sunday games impacting playoff paths.

Conclusion

So, if you’re wondering “Is TNF on tonight?” the answer is clear: no, there’s no Thursday Night Football in Week 18 of the NFL regular season. Instead, the league has scheduled all matchups across Saturday and Sunday, offering an exciting finale to the year with multiple games that will determine playoff seeds and division titles.

There is no TNF game tonight in NFL Week 18. The final week’s schedule moves all games to Saturday and Sunday to maximize rest and playoff impact, with key matchups deciding seeding and division crowns.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there an NFL game on Thursday night in Week 18?
A: No. There is no Thursday Night Football game in Week 18. Scheduling all games on Saturday and Sunday maximizes rest and playoff relevance.

Q: Why doesn’t the NFL play TNF in Week 18?
A: The league avoids Thursday night matchups in the final week to prevent teams from having a shortened rest period...