Sports on TV Schedule: What to Watch the week of January 5

Happy New Year! That’s right, we’ve hit 2026. And as many return to reality after a nice holiday break, sports is here to welcome you with open arms after a hard day back at work.

This week is highlighted by a pair of College Football Playoff semifinals as well as Super Wild Card Weekend to kick off the NFL Playoffs, Here’s a breakdown of what to watch the week of January 5:

Monday, January 5

The week kicks off with NBA action on Peacock, as the Knicks take on the Pistons, the Joker and the Nuggets face the 76ers in Philly and the Warriors battle the Clippers in a battle of California. Meanwhile, we’ve got action in the Unrivaled women’s league as the Owls take on the Rose and the Phantom battle the Breeze.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: New York Knicks (-1.5) at Detroit Pistons

Tuesday, January 6

If it’s Tuesday it’s the NBA on NBC. You will either see the Heat head to Minnesota to take on Ant Man and the Wolves or Cooper Flagg and Mavs take on the Kings in Cali. There’s also plenty of college hoops action on the day, including a Texas-sized matchup between No. 7 Houston and No. 14 Texas Tech as well as No. 2 Michigan and No. 6 Duke in action.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: Texas Tech at Houston (-6.5)

Wednesday, January 7

It’s a big night on the hardwood, as we have four of the nation’s top 5 men’s teams in action as well as the No. 1 UConn women. We’ll also have an NBA doubleheader on ESPN, as the Nuggets ship up to Boston to take on the Celtics and the Lakers and Spurs square off in a Western Conference showdown.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: Denver Nuggets at Boston Celtics

Thursday, January 8

We’ve got the first CFP semifinal as Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss take on Carson Beck and the Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl. Miami upset defending champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Despite that upset, Ole Miss is pulling in 67% of the handle and 54% of bets in this one, according to the DraftKings Network betting splits page. Will the Canes continue to prove the doubters wrong, or will Ole Miss continue to show it wasn’t just ex-coach Lane Kiffin who was repsonsible for their success?

• Can’t Miss Matchup: College Football Playoff Semifinal — VRBO Fiesta Bowl — Ole Miss vs. Miami (-3) 

Friday, January 9

Friday is headlined by the other CFP semifinal, as Oregon takes on Indiana in the Peach Bowl. Indiana laid the smack down on Alabama in a 38-3 victory in the Rose Bowl. Perhaps bettors have kept that in mind, as the Hoosiers are getting 72% of the handle and 77% of bets according to the DraftKings Network betting splits page. Can Curt Cignetti bring Indiana one step closer to gridiron glory to match the university’s rich hoops history? Or will Dan Lanning help the Ducks further erase last year’s disappointing showing in the CFP?

• Can’t Miss Matchup: College Football Playoff Semifinal — Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl — Oregon vs. Indiana 

Saturday, January 10

Saturday is a busy, busy day on the sports calendar with plenty of college hoops on the agenda, not to mention the start of the NFL Playoffs as part of Super Wild Card Weekend.

Matthew Stafford has been near the top of the MVP race all season, but can he lead the Rams to a road victory over the Panthers, who are kind of backing into the playoffs coming off a loss to the Bucs. The Rams are huge 10.5-point road favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook and bettors seem to agree, as L.A. is getting 65% of the handle and 81% of bets, according to the DraftKings Network betting splits page.

Meanwhile, longtime bitter rivals will square off in the nightcap, as the Packers face the Bears in the Windy City. Jordan Love is expected to start in his first game back coming off a concussion, however bettors still are siding with the 1.5-point home favorite Bears as Chicago is getting 72% of the handle and 69% of bets.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (-1.5)

Sunday, January 11

We close out the week with a playoff tripleheader in the NFL.

The day starts with the Bills taking on the Jags in Duval County. The Jags have closed out the season hot, entering the playoffs on an eight-game win streak, while the Bills have scored 35 or more points in three of their past five games, including against the AFC East champ Patriots. The Bills are 1.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with Buffalo pulling in 52% of bets while the Jags are getting 52% of the handle, according to the DraftKings Network betting splits page.

The second game of the day sees the 49ers taking on the Eagles in a re-match of the NFC Championship game from January 2023. Both teams are coming in off a loss, and the Eagles are 4.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. Bettors are leaning toward the team from the Bay, as the 49ers are getting 57% of the handle and 54% of the bets in this one.

In the nightcap, the Patriots return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021, hosting the Los Angeles Chargers. The Patriots are getting healthy at the right time, with Will Campbell and Milton Williams both returning to action in Week 18. On the other side, Justin Herbert has been dealing with a broken left hand and did not play in the regular season finale. The Patriots are 3.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, having put up 31 or more points in four of their last five games. Thus, it is not surprising to see that the AFC East champs are getting a whopping 80% of the handle and 81% of the handle.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots (-3.5)

Between the College Football Playoff semifinals, the start of NFL Wild Card Weekend and wall-to-wall basketball action, there’s no shortage of reasons to keep the TV on all week long. Whether you’re planning ahead or just looking for something to watch after work, there will be plenty to choose from. And make sure to keep on eye on DraftKings Network for all the expert analysis you need!