Is the Football Game on Today: Playoff Chaos and How to Watch

If you woke up today wondering is the football game on today, you're likely feeling that specific brand of January anxiety that only hits when the NFL Divisional Round arrives. We are officially in the thick of it. The regular season is a distant memory, and the "win or go home" stakes have turned every snap into a heart attack.

Honestly, the schedule for Saturday, January 17, 2026, is a bit of a dream for anyone who loves high-stakes drama. We have two massive NFL matchups that are basically rematches with a vengeance, plus a massive slate of European soccer if you’re an early riser. But let's be real—most of you are here for the playoffs.

The NFL Divisional Round Schedule for Saturday

You've got two windows to clear on your calendar today. No excuses. If you have a wedding or a brunch, check the scores under the table, though I wouldn't recommend it if the person you're with is scary.

• Game 1: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos

  • Time: 4:30 PM ET / 1:30 PM PT
  • Channel: CBS (Streaming on Paramount+)
  • The Vibe: This is a #6 seed vs. #1 seed battle. The Broncos earned that top spot with a 14-3 record, and Empower Field at Mile High is going to be absolutely deafening. If you remember last year, Buffalo actually bounced Denver 31-7 in the Wild Card round. Revenge is definitely on the menu.

• Game 2: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

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  • Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
  • Channel: FOX (Streaming on FOX Sports app/FOX One)
  • The Vibe: An NFC West grudge match. These two already played twice this season and split the series. Seattle took the division crown in Week 18 with a nasty 13-3 win, so the Niners are heading into Lumen Field with a massive chip on their shoulder.

It's a weird year for college football fans today, though. If you're looking for the NCAA playoffs, you're going to have to wait until Monday, January 19. That's when No. 1 Indiana (yes, Indiana!) takes on No. 10 Miami for the National Championship. It’s basically a home game for the Canes, but the Hoosiers have been the story of the year.

Why Today's Games Feel Different

There’s something about the Divisional Round that always hits harder than Wild Card weekend. By now, the "lucky" teams have usually been filtered out. You’re left with the heavyweights.

Take the Denver-Buffalo game. Josh Allen has been playing like a man possessed, but Bo Nix and Sean Payton have turned Denver into a machine. The altitude in Denver isn't a myth, either. You see guys sucking wind by the third quarter, and that’s usually when Josh Allen starts trying to leap over 6-foot-4 linebackers. It’s chaotic. It’s beautiful.

Then you look at the 8:00 PM kickoff. Seahawks vs. 49ers. It's one of the best rivalries in the league because the fans genuinely don't like each other. Seattle’s "12th Man" is a legitimate factor. I've been to Lumen Field when it’s rocking, and you can literally feel the concrete vibrating. Brock Purdy—or whoever is under center for the Niners today—is going to have to deal with a silent count for about 90% of the game.

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Is the football game on today for soccer fans?

If you're more of a "football" vs "soccer" person, the morning was actually packed. We saw Real Madrid take a 2-0 win over Levante in La Liga earlier, though the fans at the Bernabéu were actually booing their own team before kickoff. Soccer fans are something else, man.

In the Premier League, we had some wild finishes too:

• West Ham stunned Spurs 2-1 with a 93rd-minute winner.
• Chelsea handled Brentford 2-0.
• Liverpool and Burnley fought to a 1-1 draw that probably felt like a loss for the Reds.

What You Need to Know Before Kickoff

If you’re planning on watching, make sure your streaming logins are actually working. There is nothing worse than trying to reset a Paramount+ password five minutes before Josh Allen takes the first snap.

Watch out for the weather. In Denver, the forecast is looking chilly but clear. However, that thin air makes the ball travel differently. Keep an eye on the kickers. Matt Prater (who is somehow still kicking at 100 years old) could be the MVP if this game stays close late.

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The Underdog Factor.
The Bills are technically the #6 seed, but nobody treats them like one. They’ve been in playoff mode for a month just to get here. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are the #1 seed in the NFC for a reason. They have a defense that reminds people of the "Legion of Boom" days, and Kenneth Walker III has been a nightmare for defensive coordinators all season.

Actionable Strategy for Game Day

Don't just sit there. If you want to actually enjoy the games without the stress of "is the football game on today" catching you off guard next time, do these three things:

1. Sync your calendar: Download an app like Thuuz or just follow the NFL on Google News. The Divisional Round schedule is always a bit fluid until the Wild Card games finish, so checking on Monday of game week is the sweet spot.
2. Check your local listings: If you’re using an antenna, make sure your CBS and FOX signals are strong. Digital antennas can be finicky with weather changes.
3. Plan for Monday: Remember, there is no college ball today. Save your wings and dip for the Indiana vs. Miami showdown on Monday night.

The path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow. By tonight, two more teams will be booking their tickets to the Conference Championships, and two more will be cleaning out their lockers. That's the beauty of January football. Enjoy the games.