Look, we've all been there. You're trying to plan a grocery run or a gym session, but you realize the divisional round is about to kick off and suddenly your entire Saturday is shot. It happens every January. The 2026 NFL postseason has been a absolute gauntlet so far, and if you aren't glued to the nfl playoff game times, you’re going to end up seeing the highlights on social media before you even get the wings out of the air fryer. Honestly, this year’s bracket is a mess in the best way possible. We’ve got the Bills traveling to the high altitude of Denver on short rest, and the Rams heading into a literal ice box in Chicago.
If you're looking for the quick answer on when to sit down, here is the deal for this weekend. The Divisional Round starts Saturday, January 17. The first game is Buffalo at Denver, and it kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET. That’s a CBS game. Then, once that finishes, you’ve got about thirty minutes to breathe before the San Francisco 49ers take on the Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Sunday is just as packed. The Houston Texans visit the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC), followed by the Los Angeles Rams at the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Why NFL Playoff Game Times This Year Are Creating Chaos
There is a lot of chatter right now about the "short stick" Buffalo got. It’s kinda wild when you think about it. The Bills played a physical game against Jacksonville on Sunday, traveled back to New York, and now they have to fly out to Colorado to play on Saturday afternoon. That is a four-day turnaround for a playoff game. In the NFL, that’s basically like asking someone to run a marathon and then do another one on Wednesday.
Denver, on the other hand, is coming off 13 days of rest. They earned that No. 1 seed, and Sean Payton’s squad is probably feeling pretty fresh. Usually, the top seed is a massive favorite, but the oddsmakers are actually leaning toward the Bills in some spots, which shows you how crazy this season has been.
The Saturday Night Showdown: Niners vs. Seahawks
Once the afternoon game wraps up, we head to the Pacific Northwest. If you’ve ever watched a game at Lumen Field, you know how loud it gets. Now imagine it at 8:00 p.m. ET in the middle of January. This is the third time these division rivals are meeting this year.
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- Game 1: Saturday, Jan 17 - 4:30 p.m. ET - Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (CBS)
- Game 2: Saturday, Jan 17 - 8:00 p.m. ET - San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (FOX)
Seattle is coming off a bye, just like Denver. The 49ers had to sweat out a win against the Eagles last week, and now they have to face a rested Seahawks team. It’s the late-night window for a reason—the ratings are usually through the roof because nobody wants to miss an NFC West grudge match.
Sunday’s Tactical Battle and the Coldest Game of the Year
Sunday brings a different vibe. We start with C.J. Stroud and the Texans heading to Foxborough. The nfl playoff game times for Sunday are specifically designed to lead into the nightcap, which might be one of the coldest games in Chicago history.
The Texans and Patriots kick off at 3:00 p.m. ET. You can catch that on ESPN or ABC. It’s a classic matchup of a young, high-flying offense against a New England defense that has been a brick wall all year. But the real story is what happens afterward at Soldier Field.
The Rams and Bears are set for 6:30 p.m. ET. The forecast is calling for single-digit temperatures. If you’re a Rams fan used to that California sun, this is basically a nightmare scenario. Darnell Wright and that Bears offensive line are built for this kind of weather. The Rams are going to have to prove they can win in the mud and the ice if they want to keep their season alive.
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Looking Ahead to Championship Sunday
Once this weekend is over, we move to the final four. Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 25. The NFL doesn't move these times around much; they are pretty much set in stone for television reasons.
- AFC Championship Game: 3:00 p.m. ET on CBS.
- NFC Championship Game: 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
It’s a long day of football, but that’s the price of admission for the road to the Super Bowl. Speaking of which, Super Bowl LX is happening on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Kickoff for the big game is always around 6:30 p.m. ET. NBC has the broadcast this year, so expect Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth to be the voices of your Sunday night.
How to Actually Watch Without Losing Your Mind
Streaming has made things a bit more complicated lately. You can’t just turn on a TV and hope for the best anymore. Basically, if the game is on CBS, it’s on Paramount+. If it’s on NBC, it’s on Peacock.
The ESPN game is usually simulcast on ABC, which is great for people with a simple digital antenna. If you're trying to save money, a $20 antenna is honestly the best investment you can make for the playoffs. You get the local broadcast of CBS, FOX, ABC, and NBC in high definition for free. No monthly fees, no "buffering" circles in the middle of a game-winning drive.
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If you are a mobile user, NFL+ is the cheapest way to go, but remember you can only watch on a phone or tablet. You can't cast it to your big screen. It’s a bit of a bummer, but for $6.99, it’s better than nothing if you're stuck at work or traveling during these nfl playoff game times.
Final Actionable Steps for Playoff Success
Don't wait until 4:25 p.m. on Saturday to figure out your setup.
First, check your local listings to see if your antenna is picking up the major networks clearly. Sometimes weather or interference can mess with the signal, so do a scan now. Second, if you're using streaming apps like Paramount+ or Peacock, make sure your subscription hasn't lapsed. There's nothing worse than getting a "payment failed" message right at kickoff.
Finally, if you're planning a party for the Super Bowl on February 8, start booking your food orders now. With Bad Bunny performing the halftime show, the audience is expected to be even bigger than last year, and local wing spots are going to be slammed. Plan for the 6:30 p.m. ET start time and give yourself a buffer.
Keep an eye on the weather reports for that Chicago game on Sunday. If the wind picks up, the over/under on total points is going to plummet, and the run game will become the only thing that matters. Get your jerseys ready; it’s going to be a wild ride.