So, it's Thursday, January 15, 2026. If you're looking for an nfl channel guide today, I've got a bit of a reality check for you: there isn't a game on right this second. I know, it's the middle of the playoffs, and the itch for postseason football is real. But the NFL likes to keep us waiting just long enough to make Saturday feel like a national holiday.
We are currently sitting in that weird, quiet pocket between the chaos of Wild Card Weekend and the high-stakes Divisional Round. After a week where we saw the Bills narrowly escape Jacksonville and the 49ers grind out a win against the Eagles, the league is taking a breather.
But don't go deleting your streaming apps just yet. The schedule for the next 72 hours is basically a jigsaw puzzle of networks, and if you don't have your plan ready by Saturday afternoon, you're going to be that person frantically Googling "why is the game blacked out" while your friends are already watching the opening kickoff.
The Upcoming Divisional Round Slate
The real action for your nfl channel guide today starts tracking toward Saturday. This isn't just a regular weekend; this is the weekend where the No. 1 seeds—the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks—finally get off their bye weeks and put their seasons on the line.
Honestly, the Saturday lineup is a heavy hitter. You've got the Buffalo Bills (12-5) heading into the thin air of Denver to face the top-seeded Broncos (14-3). That one kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. If you’re a cord-cutter, you’ll be leaning on Paramount+ for that one.
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Then, the nightcap is a pure grudge match. The San Francisco 49ers are heading up the coast to Seattle to take on the Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET. That’s a FOX broadcast. If you’re used to the old days where everything was on one or two channels, those days are long gone. You basically need a map to navigate the 2026 broadcast landscape.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos | 4:30 p.m. ET | CBS (Stream: Paramount+)
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks | 8:00 p.m. ET | FOX (Stream: FOX One)
Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots | 3:00 p.m. ET | ESPN/ABC (Stream: ESPN+)
- LA Rams at Chicago Bears | 6:30 p.m. ET | NBC (Stream: Peacock)
Why Your Local NFL Channel Guide Today Looks Different
You might be wondering why some games are on ABC while others are stuck behind a Peacock or Paramount+ paywall. It’s basically the "streaming-fication" of the league. In 2026, the NFL has leaned even harder into exclusive digital windows.
Take the Sunday night game between the Rams and the Bears. NBC has the broadcast, but if you're out and about, Peacock is the only official "direct" home for it. They aren't just simulcasting anymore; they're trying to build entire ecosystems around these games.
Also, keep an eye on "FOX One." It's become the primary digital hub for FOX's sports content this year. If you're used to just using a regular FOX app, make sure your login credentials actually work before the 8:00 p.m. kickoff on Saturday. There is nothing worse than a "password incorrect" message while a 40-yard touchdown is happening in the background.
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The "ManningCast" and Alternative Broadcasts
If you’re tired of the standard play-by-play, the nfl channel guide today for the upcoming games includes some of those "alt-casts" we've grown to love (or hate). While the Divisional round is usually more focused on the main broadcasts, ESPN and ABC often sneak in their Megacast features for the Sunday afternoon Patriots-Texans game.
Peyton and Eli Manning have basically changed how a lot of us watch the game. If you're watching on ESPN+, you can usually find their feed, which—let's be honest—is mostly just them making fun of each other while occasionally mentioning that someone missed a blitz pickup. It’s great.
Streaming vs. Antenna: The Great 2026 Debate
Believe it or not, the "old school" way is still one of the best ways to get your nfl channel guide today fixed. A digital antenna can still pull in CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC in high definition without a monthly bill.
The catch? Range. If you’re living in a valley or far from a metro area, you’re going to get a lot of digital "ghosting." But for everyone else, it’s the cheapest way to watch the playoffs.
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If you're going the streaming route, here’s a quick breakdown of what you actually need:
- YouTube TV or Fubo: These are the "all-in-ones." They carry the local channels (CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC) and ESPN. They’re expensive, but they’re the closest thing to having cable again.
- Paramount+: Necessary for the Bills-Broncos game on CBS.
- Peacock: Necessary for the Rams-Bears game on NBC and, crucially, for Super Bowl LX later this February.
- ESPN+: This handles the Disney-owned broadcasts, including the Patriots-Texans game.
What Most People Get Wrong About NFL Blackouts
There’s a huge misconception that "local" games are always on local TV. During the playoffs, the "blackout" rules are a bit different because everything is a national broadcast. However, the streaming rights are where things get sticky.
For instance, if you try to watch the FOX game (49ers vs. Seahawks) through a third-party app that doesn't have a specific deal with your local affiliate, you might get a "content not available" screen. Always check the primary app of the network (like the FOX Sports app or Paramount+) to be safe.
Actionable Steps for This Weekend
Don't wait until Saturday at 4:25 p.m. to figure this out. The nfl channel guide today is quiet, but the storm is coming.
- Audit your subs: Check if your Paramount+ and Peacock subscriptions are active. Peacock is especially important because they are the exclusive home for Super Bowl LX on February 8.
- Download the Apps: Get FOX One and the ESPN app on your TV or tablet now. Update them. There's always a massive update right before a big game that takes ten minutes to download.
- Check the Antenna: If you’re using one, do a "channel scan" today. Sometimes signal towers shift or frequencies change, and you don't want to find that out when the game is starting.
- Sync your Fantasy/Betting Apps: If you're playing playoff challenges, make sure your lineups for the Saturday games are set before 4:30 p.m. ET.
The path to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara is getting narrow. By Monday morning, only four teams will be left standing. Make sure you actually get to see how they get there.