So, you're sitting on the couch, wings are probably ordered, and you're frantically scrolling through the guide asking about the bills game sunday what channel is supposed to be airing the divisional showdown. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you're looking for Josh Allen and the crew today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, you've actually missed the boat by about 24 hours.
The Buffalo Bills already played their Divisional Round game.
It happened yesterday. Saturday.
I know, the NFL schedule can be a total maze once the playoffs hit. We get so used to the "Sunday is for Football" mantra that the Saturday triple-headers or double-headers catch us off guard. If you saw a score flash across your phone and thought it was a glitch, it wasn't. The Bills traveled to Denver to take on the top-seeded Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High yesterday afternoon, January 17th.
Bills Game Sunday What Channel: The Reality of the Divisional Schedule
Honestly, the confusion makes sense. Most people searching for bills game sunday what channel are just following the rhythm of the regular season. But in the 2026 playoffs, the NFL slotted the Bills-Broncos matchup into the Saturday 4:30 PM ET window on CBS.
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If you turn on your TV right now expecting the Bills, you're going to see a different set of heavyweights. Today’s Sunday slate is strictly for the other side of the bracket.
- 3:00 PM ET: The Houston Texans are taking on the New England Patriots. You can find that on ESPN and ABC.
- 6:30 PM ET: The Los Angeles Rams are facing the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. That one is the primetime slot on NBC and Peacock.
It's a tough pill to swallow if you had your Sunday afternoon carved out for Mafia-related activities. The Bills were coming off a massive, high-stress Wild Card win against the Jacksonville Jaguars (27-24) just six days prior. That short turnaround is actually what a lot of analysts, including those over at Awful Announcing and CBS Sports, were buzzing about all week. Playing two playoff games in less than a week? That's brutal at any altitude, let alone in the thin air of Denver.
Why the Saturday Slot Happened
The league loves a narrative. Putting the No. 6 seed Bills against the No. 1 seed Broncos on a Saturday afternoon ensures they get those massive "window" ratings without competing with the Sunday night primetime giants.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, at least you don't have to stress about the channel anymore. But for future reference, or if you're looking for highlights of what you missed, the game was a CBS exclusive. That means if it were on today, you'd be looking for your local CBS affiliate or checking Paramount+.
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How to Catch the Rest of the 2026 Playoffs
Since the Bills aren't on your screen today, you might as well see who their potential opponents or AFC rivals are. The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow.
If you're wondering how to watch the games that are actually on today, here’s the breakdown:
The Early Window (Texans at Patriots)
This is the AFC matchup of the day. Since the Bills played yesterday, the winner of this game determines exactly how the AFC Championship Game is going to look. It’s on ABC and ESPN. If you’re a cord-cutter, you can grab it on Fubo or the ESPN app.
The Late Window (Rams at Bears)
This is the NFC’s time to shine. It’s a classic cold-weather Chicago game. NBC has the rights here, which means it’s also streaming live on Peacock. If you’ve got a digital antenna, this is a free over-the-air broadcast in basically every market.
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Looking Ahead to the Championship Round
Assuming the Bills' season is still alive when you read this (or if you’re just a glutton for punishment and want to see the scores), the next round is already set for next Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The NFL doesn't do Saturday games for the Conference Championships. Both the AFC and NFC title games will be on Sunday. The AFC game—which would feature Buffalo if they took care of business in Denver—will be the early kickoff at 3:00 PM ET on CBS. The NFC game follows at 6:30 PM ET on FOX.
Summary of Where to Watch Football Today
Since you won't find the Bills, here is your survival guide for the rest of this Sunday:
- Stop looking for CBS for the Bills. They aren't there.
- Tune into ABC/ESPN at 3:00 PM ET if you want to see the Texans and Patriots battle for the other AFC spot.
- Switch to NBC at 6:30 PM ET for the Rams and Bears.
- Check your DVR. If you have a series recording set for "Buffalo Bills," yesterday's game against the Broncos might already be sitting there waiting for you.
It's a weird feeling when the schedule shifts like this. We're conditioned to wait for that Sunday kickoff. But the 2026 Divisional Round was split right down the middle, and unfortunately for the Sunday-only viewers, Buffalo was the Saturday centerpiece.
To get ready for next week, make sure your Paramount+ subscription is active if you’re a streamer, or check that your antenna is positioned for CBS. If the Bills advanced, that's where they'll be next Sunday. For now, enjoy the Texans and the Bears, and maybe use the extra time to recover from the stress of being a Bills fan.
Check your local listings for the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, January 25th, to see if the Bills secured the 3:00 PM ET slot on CBS.