.jpg?itok=oVN_1tuq)
Look, everyone talks about the Super Bowl. It’s the spectacle. It’s the commercials. But if you actually love the sport, you know the real magic happens right now. We are staring down the barrel of the 2026 Divisional Round, and honestly, this weekend is stacked.
The Wild Card round did exactly what it was supposed to do—it weeded out the pretenders. We saw the Houston Texans absolutely dismantle the Steelers 30-6, and the Patriots grit out a defensive slugfest against the Chargers. Now, the stakes are higher. The speed is faster. The hits actually sound different on the broadcast.
If you’re looking for nfl football games coming up, you’ve got four matchups that feel more like heavyweight fights than football games. We have two games on Saturday, January 17, and two on Sunday, January 18.
Saturday’s Slate: High Altitude and Rivalry Heat
The action kicks off in Denver. The Broncos secured the AFC’s top seed with a 14-3 record, and they’ve had a week to sit home, breathe that thin mountain air, and wait.
Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
Buffalo is coming in hot after a 27-24 nail-biter against Jacksonville. Josh Allen is playing like a man possessed, even with a banged-up index finger. It's kinda wild how he just decides to be a linebacker when the pocket breaks down. Denver’s defense, led by Bo Nix on the other side of the ball, has been the story of their season.
👉 See also: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
The Broncos are the #1 seed for a reason. They don't beat themselves. But can they handle a Buffalo team that seems to thrive on chaos? Vegas has the Bills as a 1.5-point favorite despite being the road team. That tells you everything you need to know about how much people trust Denver’s offense under pressure.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 p.m. ET, FOX)
This is the one. The NFC West is basically a meat grinder this year. Seattle took the #1 seed, but the 49ers just ended the Eagles' season in a 23-19 defensive masterclass.
Lumen Field is going to be deafening. Honestly, I don't know if there's a more intimidating place to play in January. The Seahawks are rested. Sam Darnold has been the surprise of the league, though he’s been dealing with some health questions lately. If he’s 100%, Seattle has the edge. If not? Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey know exactly how to exploit a division rival they've seen twice already this year.
Sunday’s Battles: The New Guard vs. The Old Guard
Sunday moves the party to the Midwest and the East Coast. We’re seeing a fascinating mix of legendary franchises and teams that were bottom-dwellers just a few years ago.
✨ Don't miss: Cowboys Score: Why Dallas Just Can't Finish the Job When it Matters
Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC)
Remember when the Patriots were "done" after Brady left? Well, Drake Maye has changed that narrative pretty quickly. New England is the #2 seed, hosting a Texans team that looks terrifying. C.J. Stroud didn't just beat Pittsburgh last week; he embarrassed them.
The Patriots’ defense is the real deal, though. They held the Chargers to just 3 points. Houston’s offensive line is going to have their hands full. This game basically comes down to whether Maye can avoid the "rookie-ish" mistakes against a Texans pass rush that is relentless.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
The "Cardiac Bears" are back. Chicago won a 31-27 thriller against Green Bay to get here. Soldier Field in mid-January is usually a frozen tundra, and that favors Chicago’s revitalized run game.
The Rams, however, have Matthew Stafford. He’s arguably the MVP of the league this year. They beat Carolina 34-31 in the Wild Card round, proving they can win a shootout. Can the Bears' secondary hold up? Chicago has been one of the best stories in football this year, but Stafford in a dome-like mindset (even in the cold) is a different beast entirely.
🔗 Read more: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
What Most People Get Wrong About the Playoff Schedule
People usually assume the higher seed is a lock. In the nfl football games coming up, that’s a dangerous assumption. Underdogs went 4-2 against the spread last weekend.
The "rest vs. rust" debate is real. Denver and Seattle haven't played a meaningful snap in two weeks. Sometimes that helps healing; sometimes it just means you start the first quarter flat. If Buffalo or San Francisco jumps out to a two-score lead early on Saturday, the home crowds are going to get nervous very fast.
Key Dates to Remember
- Divisional Round: Jan 17-18, 2026
- Conference Championships: Jan 25, 2026 (AFC at 3 p.m., NFC at 6:30 p.m.)
- Super Bowl LX: Feb 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara
How to Watch the NFL Football Games Coming Up
Don't be the person scrambling for a login five minutes before kickoff. The broadcast rights are spread out this year, so you’ll need a mix of traditional cable and streaming services.
- Saturday Afternoon: CBS and Paramount+ for Bills/Broncos.
- Saturday Night: FOX and the Fox Sports app for 49ers/Seahawks.
- Sunday Afternoon: ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+ for Texans/Patriots.
- Sunday Night: NBC and Peacock for Rams/Bears.
If you’re a cord-cutter, YouTube TV or FuboTV usually carries all of these, but double-check your local listings. The 4:30 p.m. ET start on Saturday is notorious for catching people off guard who think games only start at 1:00 or 8:00.
Your Playoff Weekend Checklist
Don't just watch—prepare. If you want to actually enjoy the nfl football games coming up, here is how to handle the weekend like a pro.
- Check the Weather Reports: Specifically for Chicago and Denver. If the wind picks up at Soldier Field, the Rams' passing attack becomes a lot less scary.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on Sam Darnold (Seattle) and the Bills' Josh Allen. Even a minor setback for these QBs shifts the betting lines significantly.
- Set Your DVR Early: Playoff games have a habit of running long due to more frequent reviews and longer commercial breaks. Give yourself at least an hour of "padding" if you aren't watching live.
- Watch the Lines: If you're into the betting side, look at the "Live Odds" during the first quarter. Momentum swings in the Divisional Round are legendary.
The path to Super Bowl LX is narrowing. By Sunday night, we’ll be down to the final four. Enjoy the chaos while it lasts.