You’ve got the snacks ready. The jersey is on. Now you're just staring at the TV guide wondering when the actual kickoff happens because, let’s be honest, NFL schedules during the playoffs feel like a moving target.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. We are officially in the heart of the Divisional Round. This is where the pretenders from Wild Card weekend go home and the heavyweights finally step onto the field. If you’re asking what time is nfl game today, you aren't just looking for one kickoff; you're looking for a double-header that spans the entire afternoon and evening.
We have two massive games today. The first one is an AFC battle at high altitude, and the second is a bitter NFC West rivalry that usually ends in a lot of shouting and at least one controversial penalty.
What Time Is NFL Game Today? Saturday’s Kickoff Times
The NFL doesn't do "random" start times. They have these slots down to a science. For Saturday, January 17, the league has scheduled the games to maximize that transition from afternoon light to prime-time glow.
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET. It’s happening at Empower Field at Mile High. Denver is coming off a bye week as the No. 1 seed, while Buffalo is riding the momentum of a Wild Card win. You can catch this one on CBS.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: The nightcap starts at 8:00 p.m. ET. This is a classic "clash of the titans" in the NFC West. Seattle earned the top seed and the week off, while the 49ers just survived a brutal road game in Philadelphia. This game airs on FOX.
If you're on the West Coast, remember to do the math. The Bills-Broncos game starts at 1:30 p.m. PT, and the 49ers-Seahawks game begins at 5:00 p.m. PT. Don't be the person who logs onto social media only to see the final score because you forgot about the time zone shift.
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Why the Divisional Round Schedule Is Different
Most of the year, we're used to the 1:00 p.m. ET Sunday frenzy. The Divisional Round is different. The NFL spreads these four games across two days to ensure every single matchup gets a dedicated national audience.
Honestly, the Saturday games often feel more intense. There's something about that 4:30 p.m. ET slot—the "bridge" game—where the sun sets halfway through the second quarter and the stadium lights take over. It changes the vibe of the game. For the Bills and Broncos, the temperature in Denver is expected to drop significantly once that sun goes down, which could play a huge role in how Josh Allen and the Bills' offense handles the ball.
Breaking Down the TV Channels and Streaming
You can't just flip to any sports channel and expect to find the game. The NFL split the rights specifically for this weekend.
For the Bills at Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET, your home base is CBS. If you’ve cut the cord, you’ll need Paramount+. It’s the only way to stream the CBS broadcast natively.
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For the 49ers at Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET, it moves over to FOX. For the streamers, this means the FOX Sports app or services like Fubo and YouTube TV. If you have a digital antenna, today is the day to make sure it's positioned correctly because these are over-the-air broadcasts.
What About Tomorrow?
If you're already planning your Sunday, the "what time is nfl game" question shifts slightly. Tomorrow, January 18, follows a similar but slightly earlier pattern.
The Houston Texans face the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. After that, the Los Angeles Rams take on the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC. It's a full weekend of football, but the Saturday games usually set the tone for who we see in the Conference Championships next week.
Betting Lines and What to Watch For
The oddsmakers are leaning toward the home teams today, which makes sense given the bye-week advantage. Seattle is currently a 7-point favorite over the 49ers. That's a big spread for a playoff game between rivals who know each other's playbooks by heart.
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In Denver, things are much tighter. The Broncos are favored by a slim 1.5 points. The altitude in Denver is a real factor, especially for a Buffalo team that played a high-energy game just six days ago. Keep an eye on the injury reports for the late game—Seattle's Sam Darnold has been dealing with an oblique issue, though he’s expected to start.
Practical Tips for Game Day
If you're watching today, make sure your streaming apps are updated before 4:30 p.m. ET. There is nothing worse than opening Paramount+ and seeing a "Downloading Update" bar while the opening kickoff is happening.
Also, if you're using a 4K stream, remember there's often a 30-to-60-second delay compared to the cable broadcast. If you’re active on sports betting apps or group chats, you might want to turn off notifications so your friends don't spoil a touchdown before you see it on your screen.
Check your local listings if you're in a mountainous or rural area, as some affiliate stations vary, but for 99% of the country, it's CBS at 4:30 and FOX at 8:00. Set your DVRs now if you have to step out, because these Divisional matchups are usually the best games of the entire postseason.
Prepare your viewing space by checking your internet connection and ensuring your subscription services are active for CBS/Paramount+ and FOX.