You've probably spent the morning checking the fridge and making sure the wings are ready for a long day. It's that time of year where the Saturdays feel a little heavier, the stakes are basically at a boiling point, and the couch becomes a permanent residence. Honestly, if you're asking what channel is football game on tonight, you're looking at a massive Divisional Round double-header that's going to decide who moves one step closer to Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara.
Forget the regular season fluff. We are down to the final eight. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the NFL schedule is split between two networks that have been the backbone of playoff coverage for decades. We have the AFC kicking things off in the high altitude of Denver, followed by an absolute slugfest in the Pacific Northwest.
The AFC Opener: Bills at Broncos
First up, the Buffalo Bills travel to face the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. This game is a classic clash of styles. You have Josh Allen, who can basically throw a ball through a brick wall, trying to navigate the thin air and a Denver defense that has been surprisingly stout this year.
What channel is the Bills vs. Broncos game on tonight? You can catch this one on CBS.
The kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET. If you're stuck at a desk or away from a traditional TV, you can stream the broadcast live on Paramount+. It’s the standard CBS feed, so you get the top-tier commentary team and all the pre-game hype starting about an hour before the actual coin toss.
Denver enters this game as a slim 1.5-point favorite. That’s wild when you think about where this team was a couple of seasons ago, but hosting the No. 1 seed carries a lot of weight. Buffalo, on the other hand, is coming off a gritty win against Jacksonville. They look battle-tested. It’s going to be cold, it’s going to be loud, and CBS is where you need to be.
The Nightcap: 49ers vs. Seahawks
Once the sun goes down in Denver, the focus shifts to Seattle. This is the one a lot of people have circled. The San Francisco 49ers are heading into the "Loudest Stadium in the NFL" to take on the Seattle Seahawks.
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What channel is the 49ers vs. Seahawks game on tonight? This matchup airs on FOX.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET. If you want to stream it, the game will be available on the FOX Sports App or the new FOX One streaming service. For those who prefer the Spanish-language broadcast, FOX Deportes has the call.
This isn't just a playoff game; it's an NFC West divisional rivalry that usually ends with someone being very unhappy. The Seahawks earned the top seed in the NFC, giving them that home-field advantage at Lumen Field. San Francisco had to fight through a tough Wild Card game against the Eagles to get here, and they're looking to play spoiler. Expect a lot of physical defense and probably a few ear-splitting moments from the 12th Man.
Watching the NFL Playoffs Without Cable
Look, cable is expensive. I get it. If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. In 2026, the streaming landscape is actually a bit easier to navigate than it used to be, provided you know where to click.
Since today’s games are on CBS and FOX, you have a few solid options:
- Fubo: This is usually the go-to for sports fans. It carries both CBS and FOX in almost every market. They usually have a free trial if you’re just trying to get through the weekend.
- YouTube TV: Another reliable heavy hitter. It has the local affiliates you need for both games today.
- Hulu + Live TV: Similar to the others, it bundles your local channels.
- Antenna: Seriously. If you have a clear line of sight to a broadcast tower, an over-the-air (OTA) antenna is the cheapest way to watch. Both CBS and FOX are broadcast "over the air" for free. It’s 1080p, it’s uncompressed, and it’s basically free after you buy the $30 hardware.
What About College Football Tonight?
I've seen a few people asking about the National Championship or bowl games today. Here is the short answer: there isn't any college football tonight.
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The College Football Playoff National Championship is scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2026. That game features Indiana vs. Miami at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida. It’ll be on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. So, if you were hoping for a triple-header with some Saturday night college action, you'll have to wait until Monday to see the Hoosiers and the Canes battle it out.
Key Details for Tonight’s Games
To make it easy, here is the breakdown of the "must-know" info for tonight’s NFL Divisional Round:
Game 1: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+, Fubo, YouTube TV
- The Vibe: Buffalo's high-octane offense vs. Denver's altitude advantage.
Game 2: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Channel: FOX
- Streaming: FOX One, FOX Sports App, Fubo
- The Vibe: A brutal NFC West rivalry with a trip to the Conference Championship on the line.
Why the Divisional Round Matters Most
A lot of experts—and honestly, most fans—will tell you that the Divisional Round is actually the best weekend of football in the entire year. Better than the Super Bowl. Better than Wild Card weekend.
Why? Because the "bad" teams are gone. These are the elite eight. The No. 1 seeds (Denver and Seattle) are finally hitting the field after their bye week. They might be well-rested, or they might be "rusty." That's always the big debate.
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We saw it last year where a top seed came out flat and got bounced immediately. Tonight, we see if Denver and Seattle can defend their home turf or if the road warriors from Buffalo and San Fran can pull off the upset.
Moving Toward Tomorrow
The action doesn't stop tonight. Once the 49ers and Seahawks wrap up, we do it all over again tomorrow, Sunday, January 18.
The Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. Then, the Los Angeles Rams travel to the Windy City to play the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
It is a massive weekend for the NFL. If you're betting on these games, keep an eye on the injury reports that come out about 90 minutes before kickoff. In the playoffs, a star player being "limited" can change the entire spread.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your local listings: Even though these are national broadcasts, some local affiliates might have slight delays for news. Ensure your CBS and FOX channels are coming in clear.
- Download the apps now: If you plan on streaming, don't wait until 4:29 p.m. to download Paramount+ or FOX One. Get logged in and authenticated with your provider now to avoid the "server busy" errors that happen right at kickoff.
- Sync your audio: If you're watching on a stream but listening to local radio, use a delay app to match the play-by-play. Streams are usually 30-60 seconds behind live TV.