The wait is over. If you've been asking what time football game come on tonight, you're probably looking for the high-stakes NFL Divisional Round action. We are officially down to the final eight teams. The regular season drama is a memory, and Wild Card weekend already weeded out the pretenders. Tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026, features two massive matchups that basically determine who gets a seat in the conference championships.
Honestly, it’s the best kind of Saturday. No more morning-to-night marathons of mediocre games; just pure, concentrated playoff intensity.
What Time Football Game Come On Tonight: The NFL Schedule
If you are planning your snacks or your couch-sitting schedule, here is the breakdown. We have an AFC showdown in the afternoon and a classic NFC West rivalry taking over the primetime slot.
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: CBS
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
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- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Channel: FOX
- Live Stream: FOX Sports App, Fubo
- Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Bills at Broncos: The High-Altitude Battle
Buffalo is coming off a gritty 27-24 win over Jacksonville. Josh Allen is doing that "superhero" stuff again, but playing in Denver is a different beast. The Broncos are the top seed for a reason. Bo Nix has settled into this offense far better than most experts predicted back in August.
The weather in Denver is always a factor this time of year. It’s expected to be chilly, and that thin air wears down even the most conditioned athletes. Buffalo fans are used to the cold, but the Broncos’ defense—ranked second-best in the league—is what they should really be worried about.
49ers at Seahawks: A Rainy Night in Seattle
The nightcap is a heavy hitter. San Francisco survived a scare against the Eagles last week, winning 23-19. Now, Brock Purdy has to lead his squad into the "12th Man" noise at Lumen Field. Seattle secured the #1 seed in the NFC and they've been waiting for this.
When these two meet, it’s usually a physical grind. Forget the regular season stats. In the playoffs, this rivalry gets dialed up to eleven. If you're wondering what time football game come on tonight for the West Coast folks, that kickoff hits at 5:00 p.m. local time.
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Where to Stream the Games Tonight
Not everyone has a cable box anymore. Kinda feels like a relic, right? If you’re a cord-cutter, you still have plenty of options.
For the Bills-Broncos game, Paramount+ is your best friend since it carries the CBS broadcast. If you have the NFL+ app on your phone or tablet, you can also catch it there, though that's usually restricted to mobile devices.
For the 49ers-Seahawks clash, you’ll need something that carries FOX. Fubo and Sling Blue are the go-to choices for most people. If you’re lucky enough to have a digital antenna, you can pull both of these games for free. Just make sure you’ve scanned for channels recently so you don't miss the first quarter fumbling with the remote.
Is There Any College Football On?
Usually, Saturdays are for the college kids. But it's mid-January. The bowl season is wrapped up, and we are just days away from the National Championship.
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If you were hoping to see Indiana and Miami play for the title today, you're a couple of days early. That game is scheduled for Monday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Tonight is strictly about the pros. There is some college basketball—specifically a big matchup with No. 21 Georgia hosting No. 17 Arkansas at 4:00 p.m. ET—but the pigskin is reserved for the NFL tonight.
What You Need to Know Before Kickoff
Playoff football is different. One bad snap or one missed tackle ends a season. Here’s a quick reality check on what to expect.
- Home Field Matters: Denver and Seattle are two of the loudest, most difficult places to play in the NFL. The crowd noise in Seattle is literally record-breaking.
- Injuries: Keep an eye on the late-afternoon injury reports. At this stage of the year, everyone is playing through something, but a late scratch for a key offensive lineman can change the betting odds in seconds.
- The Stakes: The winners tonight move on to the AFC and NFC Championship games on January 25. The losers go home and start looking at mock drafts.
Actionable Steps for Tonight
Don't wait until 4:29 p.m. to figure out if your login works. Streaming services love to glitch right when a million people try to sign on at once.
- Check your apps: Log into Paramount+ and FOX Sports now. Update the apps if prompted.
- Sync your clock: Remember, the 4:30 p.m. start for the Bills game is Eastern Time. If you're in Mountain Time, that's 2:30 p.m.
- Set the DVR: If you have to work or have a dinner thing, set the recording for an extra 30 minutes. Playoff games almost always run long due to reviews and commercials.
- Prep the Monday Plan: Since the College Football National Championship isn't until Monday night, you have a clear schedule tomorrow for the Rams vs. Bears and Texans vs. Patriots games.