So, you’re looking to park yourself on the couch and want to know exactly how many NFL games are playing today. Honestly, you’ve picked the best possible day to ask. It is Saturday, January 17, 2026, and we are officially in the heart of the Divisional Round.
There are two games on the schedule for today.
That’s the short answer. But if you’re a real fan, you know the "how many" is way less important than the "who" and the "where." Today is basically a holiday for football junkies because the Divisional Round is widely considered the best weekend of the entire season. The pretenders from the Wild Card round are gone, and the heavy hitters—the #1 seeds who’ve been resting their legs—finally take the field.
Today is all about the top dogs defending their home turf.
The Saturday Slate: Who Is Playing Right Now?
We have a double-header that splits the day between the AFC and the NFC. If you missed the early kickoff or you're gearing up for the nightcap, here is the situation on the ground.
Game 1: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
This one kicked off at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. If you haven't been following the AFC West this year, the atmosphere at Empower Field at Mile High is basically a pressure cooker. The Broncos came into this as the #1 seed, and they had to face a Buffalo team that is... well, they're the Bills. They’re chaotic.
In a wild turn of events, Denver managed to pull out a 33-30 victory in overtime. It was stressful. Josh Allen played like a hero but also turned the ball over four times, which is the classic "Josh Allen Experience." The big news coming out of this, though, is the injury to Denver's QB Bo Nix. He’s reportedly out with a season-ending ankle injury. Denver won the battle, but they might have lost the war for the AFC Championship next week.
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Game 2: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
The nightcap is a pure, unadulterated NFC West grudge match. Kickoff was set for 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
Seattle entered as the #1 seed in the NFC, hosting their division rivals at Lumen Field. If you've ever heard the "12th Man" on a broadcast, you know it's loud, but playoff loud is a different animal. This hasn't been much of a contest, though. Seattle jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and basically never looked back.
Why the Number of Games Matters Today
You might be wondering why the NFL only does two games on a Saturday when they usually pack our Sundays with twelve or thirteen. It’s about the "prestige" window. By limiting the schedule to two games, the league ensures that every single eyeball in the country is on the same broadcast.
- Broadcast Real Estate: CBS gets the afternoon; FOX gets the primetime slot.
- Rest Cycles: The teams playing today get an extra day of rest before the Conference Championships next Sunday, compared to the teams playing tomorrow.
- Narrative Building: We get several hours of pre-game and post-game analysis for just one matchup.
It’s a different vibe than the regular season. During the regular season, you’re flipping through RedZone trying to keep up with twenty different fantasy players. Today? You're locked in. You're watching the trenches.
What About Tomorrow?
If you're already looking ahead because your team isn't on the field today, Sunday, January 18, will follow the same 2-game format to round out the "Final Four."
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC)
Basically, if you were hoping for a 12-hour marathon of back-to-back games, you’re getting exactly that, just split across two days.
Watching the Games in 2026
Watching football has become a bit of a scavenger hunt lately with all the streaming rights. If you’re trying to catch the tail end of today’s action or prep for the night, here is the cheat sheet:
- The CBS Game: If you have Paramount+, you’re usually golden.
- The FOX Game: You can use the FOX Sports app, but you'll need a cable login or a service like Fubo or YouTube TV.
- The "Everywhere" Option: NFL+ is the league's own app, and while it's great for mobile, it can be picky about casting to your TV depending on your local blackout rules.
The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever
The winner of the Bills/Broncos game (Denver) is already punching their ticket to the AFC Championship. The winner of the 49ers/Seahawks game will host the NFC Championship next week.
This is the point in the season where mistakes aren't just "bummers"—they are season-enders. One missed field goal or one bad interception (sorry, Josh Allen) and you're booking flights to Cancun tomorrow morning.
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If you are just tuning in now, the best thing you can do is check the live score for the Seahawks/49ers game on FOX. Seattle is currently dominant, but in the playoffs, a two-score lead can evaporate in about ninety seconds of game time.
Your Saturday Checklist
- Check the FOX Broadcast: The Seahawks game is the main event right now.
- Monitor the Injury Reports: Keep an eye on the news regarding Bo Nix's ankle; it changes the entire landscape of the AFC.
- Prep for Tomorrow: Set your DVR or clear your schedule for 3:00 p.m. ET tomorrow for the Texans and Patriots.
The Divisional Round is the peak of the football calendar. Enjoy the two games we have today, because once they're over, we only have three games left in the entire season before the long, cold summer of no football begins.
Next Steps:
Go ahead and check your local listings for FOX to catch the remainder of the Seahawks-49ers game, then make sure your streaming apps are updated for tomorrow’s New England vs. Houston kickoff.