If you're looking for a reason to stay on the couch today, January 17, 2026, the universe is basically handing it to you on a silver platter. We are deep into the winter grind, and that means the stakes are officially through the roof.
Honestly, the schedule is a bit of a monster. Between the NFL Divisional Round kicking off and a massive slate of European club football, there’s almost too much to track. I've been digging through the fixtures to see what's actually worth your time and where the real drama is hiding.
The NFL Divisional Round Is Finally Here
The "Real Season" starts today. After the chaos of Wild Card weekend, we’re down to the heavy hitters. If you’ve been following the Broncos this year, you know they’ve been a juggernaut, but the news coming out of Denver today is a massive gut-punch.
Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills
This game just wrapped up at Mile High, and it was an absolute heart-stopper. The Broncos took it 33-30 in overtime thanks to a 23-yard field goal by Wil Lutz. But the scoreboard doesn't tell the whole story. The big news? Bo Nix is out. He broke his right ankle late in the game and is heading for surgery.
It’s a massive blow for the AFC’s top seed. Sean Payton is already talking up Jarrett Stidham, but let’s be real—losing your franchise guy during a Super Bowl run is a nightmare scenario. Josh Allen and the Bills once again find themselves heading home early, failing to break through despite a wide-open AFC field.
✨ Don't miss: Cincinnati vs Oklahoma State Basketball: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big 12 Grind
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
This is the nightcap, kicking off at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. It’s an NFC West divisional clash at Lumen Field. There is zero love lost here. Seattle earned that top seed, but the Niners have a weird way of playing their best football when everyone counts them out. Expect a physical, loud, and probably rainy affair in the Pacific Northwest.
What Football Games Are Playing Right Now in Europe?
Across the pond, the Premier League and other major leagues are in full swing. If you're a Manchester United fan, you're probably still buzzing from the early kickoff.
Premier League Highlights
The Manchester Derby happened earlier today at Old Trafford, and United took the bragging rights with a 2-0 win over City. It’s a huge result for the red side of the city.
Right now, or just finishing up, we have:
🔗 Read more: Chase Center: What Most People Get Wrong About the New Arena in San Francisco
- Liverpool vs. Burnley: The Reds were leading 1-0 late in the second half.
- Chelsea vs. Brentford: A tight 1-0 affair at Stamford Bridge.
- Tottenham vs. West Ham: The Hammers have been holding a 1-0 lead, making things very uncomfortable for Spurs fans.
- Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal: This one is the late game in the UK (5:30 p.m. local time), and Arsenal needs three points to keep their title hopes breathing.
Around the Continent
In Serie A, Inter Milan just squeezed past Udinese with a 1-0 win. Lautaro Martinez found the net again, which feels like a weekly occurrence at this point. Napoli is also slated to face Sassuolo later this evening.
Bundesliga fans have a massive one on the horizon: RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich. This is basically the "Title Decider" (well, one of them anyway). If Leipzig pulls this off, the power shift in Germany becomes very real.
In La Liga, Real Madrid already handled business against Levante with a 2-0 win, keeping the pressure on at the top of the table. Later tonight, Real Betis takes on Villarreal in what should be a tactical chess match.
College Football: The Calm Before the Storm
If you’re looking for a college game today, you're going to be disappointed. There are actually no college football games today.
💡 You might also like: Calendario de la H: Todo lo que debes saber sobre cuando juega honduras 2025 y el camino al Mundial
Why? Because we are waiting for the big one. The College Football Playoff National Championship is set for Monday, January 19. It’s going to be No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami.
Indiana has been the story of the decade. They destroyed Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Oregon in the Peach Bowl. Now they face a Miami team that has been living on the edge, winning close games against Ohio State and Ole Miss. It’s a fascinating matchup, but you’ll have to wait 48 hours to see it.
Why Today Matters for Your Betting Slip
A lot of people get caught up in the names, but today is about depth.
- The Stidham Factor: With Bo Nix out, the betting lines for the AFC Championship are going to shift wildly. Watch the news out of Denver closely.
- Premier League Fatigue: We are in that part of January where legs get heavy. Small teams like Burnley or Brentford often find goals late because the big clubs are rotated or tired.
- The Seattle Crowd: Never underestimate the "12th Man." In a playoff game against a rival like San Francisco, that noise level changes how play-calling happens.
Practical Steps for the Rest of Your Weekend
If you want to keep up with the action without losing your mind, here is how to handle the next few hours:
- Check the Injury Reports: Specifically for the 49ers/Seahawks game. Divisional games are often won or lost based on who is active on the defensive line.
- Sync Your Calendar for Monday: Set a reminder for the Indiana vs. Miami game at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. You don't want to miss a No. 1 seed from the Big Ten trying to finish a perfect season.
- Watch the Bundesliga Highlights: Even if you aren't a German football fan, the Leipzig/Bayern game is going to be a masterclass in high-pressing tactics.
- Keep an eye on the AFC Championship lines: Now that Denver's QB situation is in flux, there might be some value in looking at the Texans or Patriots to come out of the AFC.
The games playing right now are setting the stage for the biggest trophies in the world. Whether it's the road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara or the fight for the Premier League crown, Saturday has delivered exactly what we wanted.
Actionable Insight: If you're following the NFL playoffs, start looking at backup QB statistics. The trend of injuries to starters this year means the "next man up" philosophy isn't just a cliché anymore—it's the only way to survive. Keep a close watch on the waiver wire news if you're in a playoff fantasy league, as Jarrett Stidham is now the most important player in Denver.