You're probably pacing already. If you’re a Bills fan, the anxiety doesn't wait for kickoff; it starts the second you wake up and realize it's a game day against Kansas City. We’ve all been there. The wings are marinating, the blue cheese is chilling—don't even think about ranch—and the jersey is laid out. But the most basic question always hits the group chat first: what time is the bills game sunday?
The Buffalo Bills are scheduled to kick off against the Kansas City Chiefs at 4:25 PM ET this Sunday, January 18, 2026.
It's the late afternoon window. That specific time slot usually means one thing: Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are probably headed to Highmark Stadium. This isn't just another game on the schedule. It’s a Divisional Round playoff clash that feels like a heavyweight title fight, and the timing is perfect for a sunset finish over Orchard Park.
Why 4:25 PM is the Most Stressful Slot in Football
There is something uniquely agonizing about a late afternoon start. If the game was at 1:00 PM, you’d just wake up, eat a breakfast burrito, and get into it. But 4:25 PM? That’s an entire day of pacing. You watch the early games with one eye, constantly checking the injury reports for Keon Coleman or seeing if Dalton Kincaid’s hamstring is actually 100%.
Honestly, the "what time is the bills game sunday" question is usually followed by "where are we watching?" because a 4:25 PM start means the tailgate is going to be legendary. Or exhausting. Probably both. By the time Josh Allen takes the first snap, most of Mafia will have been standing in a cold parking lot for six hours.
Highmark Stadium has a vibe that changes when the sun starts to dip. The shadows get long, the air gets a bit sharper, and the crowd—well, the crowd is usually a few drinks deeper than they would be at noon. This 4:25 PM window is CBS’s "Game of the Week," and for good reason. The ratings for Bills-Chiefs usually rival the Super Bowl itself.
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Broadcast Details and How to Stream
If you aren't lucky enough to be shivering in the 200-section, you're stuck with the broadcast.
- Network: CBS (WIVB in Buffalo)
- Streaming: Paramount+ is the primary home for CBS games.
- Mobile: NFL+ (though this is usually restricted to phones and tablets).
- International: DAZN NFL Game Pass covers the global audience.
Make sure your Paramount+ login actually works before 4:20 PM. There is nothing worse than seeing a "Password Incorrect" screen while the Bills are receiving the opening kickoff. I’ve seen grown men throw remotes over less.
The Matchup: More Than Just a Kickoff Time
Knowing what time is the bills game sunday is only half the battle; knowing what you're walking into is the other. This is the eighth time Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes have faced off. It’s basically the modern-day Brady vs. Manning, but with more rushing yards and occasionally more chaos.
The Bills come into this one after a grueling win last week. The defense is banged up. We know this. Seeing Matt Milano back on the field has been a spiritual experience for Buffalo fans, but the secondary is still a concern when Mahomes starts doing those weird "no-look" sidearm throws that defy physics.
Key Storylines to Watch
- The Mahomes Factor in Orchard Park: Remember when people said Mahomes couldn't win on the road in the playoffs? He silenced that last year. The Bills Mafia needs to be louder than they’ve ever been. We’re talking "false start on 3rd and 2" loud.
- Josh Allen’s Legs: When the game is at 4:25 PM and the temperature drops, the ball gets slick. That’s when Josh usually decides to stop passing and just becomes a 240-pound fullback.
- The Kicker Battle: Tyler Bass has had a roller coaster of a year. Every Bills fan holds their breath on a 42-yarder. On the other side, Harrison Butker is annoyingly consistent. These games almost always come down to a final drive.
Logistics for the Orchard Park Faithful
If you are actually going to the game, the "what time" question is more about traffic than the coin toss.
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Abbott Road usually closes down hours before. If you aren't in your parking spot by 11:00 AM, you’re doing it wrong. The Bills have been very strict about the "no tailgating after kickoff" rule lately, so security will be ushering people toward the gates around 3:45 PM.
Also, keep an eye on the lake effect. The forecast currently shows a light dusting, but in Orchard Park, "light dusting" can turn into "eight inches of snow" in the time it takes to flip a burger. If you’re driving in from Rochester or Syracuse, give yourself an extra two hours. The 219 is going to be a parking lot.
Dealing with the Post-Game Reality
A 4:25 PM start means the game ends around 7:30 or 7:45 PM.
If the Bills win, Buffalo will be the happiest place on earth. The bars on Chippewa will be packed, and nobody is going to work on Monday. If they lose... well, we don't talk about that. But win or lose, you're looking at a late night. Planning your Monday morning "sick day" now might not be a bad idea if you're planning on fully immersing yourself in the experience.
It’s weird how a simple question like "what time is the bills game sunday" carries so much weight. It’s not just a time; it’s a deadline for your nerves. It's the moment the talking stops and the shouting starts.
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Practical Game Day Checklist
- Verify the Channel: Double-check that your local CBS affiliate hasn't moved the game to a secondary channel due to local news or weather (unlikely for a playoff game, but still).
- Check the Injury Report: Final actives/inactives are released 90 minutes before kickoff—so around 2:55 PM.
- Sync Your Audio: If you prefer listening to John Murphy and Eric Wood on the radio while watching the TV, use a delay app to sync the audio. The TV broadcast is usually 10-20 seconds behind the radio.
- Charge Everything: If you're tailgating, your phone battery will die in the cold. Bring a portable brick. You'll need it to find your friends after the game when the cell towers are overloaded.
The Bills have the talent. They have the home-field advantage. They have the hunger. Now we just have to wait for the clock to hit 4:25.
Pro Tip: If you're ordering wings for the game, call it in on Saturday. If you wait until Sunday at 2:00 PM to call a local Buffalo pizza place, you’re going to be eating frozen nuggets by halftime. Don't be that person. Plan ahead, get your blue cheese ready, and let's hope this is finally the year the clock runs out with the Bills on top.
Go Bills.
Next Steps for Game Day Success:
- Download the Bills App: This is the fastest way to get the official inactives list at 2:55 PM.
- Set Your DVR: Even if you're watching live, set it for an extra hour. NFL playoff games in the Mahomes/Allen era have a habit of going into overtime or having extremely long final two minutes.
- Check the Weather: Buffalo weather is erratic; use a localized app like Weather Underground and search for "Orchard Park" specifically, rather than just "Buffalo."