So, you’re trying to figure out the plan for the next Bills game. I get it. Being a Bills fan is basically a full-time job at this point, especially with the way this season has played out. If you’re asking what time do the buffalo bills play tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, here’s the short answer: they don't.
Wait. Don’t close the tab yet.
There is a massive game coming up, but it isn’t tomorrow. The NFL just finalized the Divisional Round schedule after that wild win over the Jaguars, and Buffalo is actually slated for a Saturday afternoon kickoff.
When exactly do the Bills play?
The Buffalo Bills are scheduled to play the Denver Broncos on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Kickoff is locked in for 4:30 p.m. ET.
It feels a little weird not having a Sunday game, right? But the NFL loves these Saturday playoff doubleheaders. Since Buffalo is the No. 6 seed traveling to face the No. 1 seed Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High, they got the opening slot of the weekend.
Honestly, it’s probably better for your heart rate to get it over with early in the weekend rather than sweating it out until Sunday night.
Why isn't there a game tomorrow?
Tomorrow is Thursday. While we’ve all grown accustomed to Thursday Night Football during the regular season, the NFL postseason schedule works a bit differently. The league gives teams a full week to recover—especially teams like Buffalo that just survived a physical Wild Card battle.
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The Bills beat Jacksonville 27-24 last Sunday. If they played tomorrow, they’d be on just three days of rest. That would be a disaster for Josh Allen’s shoulder and the defensive line. Instead, the league uses Thursday and Friday for media availability and travel. The team will likely be heading to the altitude of Denver on Friday to get acclimated before the Saturday showdown.
How to watch the Bills vs. Broncos
If you aren't making the trek to Colorado (and with tickets starting around $491 on SeatGeek, I don't blame you), here is how you catch the action:
- TV Channel: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+ or NFL+
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. local Denver time)
It’s a national broadcast. No blackouts, no weird local-only restrictions. Just Jim Nantz and Tony Romo likely talking about Josh Allen’s "alien" abilities for three hours straight.
The Denver altitude factor
Playing in Denver in mid-January is no joke. We’re talking about thin air and potentially freezing temperatures. The Broncos secured the No. 1 seed for a reason; that home-field advantage is a monster.
You’ve probably seen players on the sidelines using oxygen masks at Mile High. It’s a real thing. The Bills are used to cold weather—Buffalo winters are legendary—but the altitude is a different beast. Expect a lot of rotation on the defensive line to keep guys fresh.
What most people get wrong about this matchup
A lot of folks are looking at last year’s 31-7 blowout where the Bills crushed Denver and thinking this will be a cakewalk. It won't. This is a much better Broncos team than we saw in 2025. They have the rest advantage coming off a bye week, and they've been sitting at home watching the Bills fight for their lives against Jacksonville.
Also, don't forget the kicking game. The air is thinner in Denver. Field goals that usually fall short from 55 yards might actually clear the crossbar. Tyler Bass is going to have some serious leg tomorrow... well, on Saturday.
Preparing for the Divisional Round
If you were looking for what time do the buffalo bills play tomorrow to plan a party, you’ve actually got an extra 48 hours to prep. Use it.
Get the wings ordered now. If you're in Western New York, you know the good spots will be backed up by noon on Saturday.
Next steps for Bills fans:
Check your Paramount+ login tonight so you aren't scrambling five minutes before kickoff. If you're planning on hosting, double-check that your TV hasn't decided to run a three-hour software update. Most importantly, clear your Saturday evening. If the Bills win this, they move on to the AFC Championship on January 25th, and that's when things get really stressful.