The divisional round is finally here, and if you're like most of us, your Saturday is basically booked. We’ve moved past the chaos of Wild Card weekend and now the stakes are higher. The air is thinner. The hits are harder.
Honestly, there is nothing quite like playoff football in mid-January. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, we’ve got a massive doubleheader that determines who moves one step closer to Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
If you are trying to figure out what time does the game start today, you’ve got two distinct windows to plan your life around. We are looking at a classic AFC showdown in the afternoon and a bitter NFC West rivalry under the lights.
The AFC Kickoff: Bills at Broncos
The first game of the day features the Buffalo Bills traveling to face the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT).
You can catch this one on CBS. If you’ve cut the cord, it’s also streaming live on Paramount+.
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The Broncos, holding that coveted #1 seed, had the luxury of a week off. They’ve been resting, healing up, and watching film. Meanwhile, the #6 seed Bills are coming in hot. There’s something scary about a Buffalo team that feels like they have nothing to lose.
Expect the altitude to be a factor here. Denver is 5,280 feet above sea level. It’s a real thing. Late in the fourth quarter, when lungs are burning and the wind is whipping through the stadium, we’ll see if the Bills' conditioning holds up.
The NFC Nightcap: 49ers at Seahawks
Once the sun goes down, the energy shifts to the Pacific Northwest. The San Francisco 49ers are heading into the "12th Man" territory to take on the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
Kickoff for the night game is 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT).
This one is being broadcast on FOX. For those looking for the Spanish broadcast, FOX Deportes has you covered. Streaming is available through the FOX Sports app (you'll need a cable login) or services like Fubo and YouTube TV.
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The Seahawks are the #1 seed in the NFC, and Lumen Field is arguably the loudest stadium in the league. It's a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks trying to change plays at the line of scrimmage. The 49ers, the #6 seed, are divisional rivals. They know this stadium. They know these fans.
This isn't just a playoff game; it’s a grudge match.
Beyond the NFL: Other Start Times Today
While most people are glued to the gridiron, there is a ton of other action happening. If you're a multi-sport fan, your remote is going to get a workout.
NBA Saturday Slate
The NBA doesn't stop for the NFL playoffs, though they usually try to avoid the direct primetime windows when they can.
- Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks: 5:00 p.m. ET.
- Phoenix Suns at New York Knicks: 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks: 7:30 p.m. ET.
- L.A. Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers: 10:00 p.m. ET.
The Knicks-Suns game at Madison Square Garden is the one to watch if you want to see pure star power. The Garden is always electric on a Saturday night.
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NHL Hockey Night
It’s a massive day for hockey fans.
- Toronto Maple Leafs at Winnipeg Jets: 7:00 p.m. ET.
- Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators: 7:00 p.m. ET.
- Edmonton Oilers at Vancouver Canucks: 10:00 p.m. ET.
That Oilers-Canucks matchup is a late-night gem. If you haven't seen Connor McDavid live recently, do yourself a favor and stay up for it. The speed is just different.
College Basketball Highlights
It’s a Saturday in January, which means the NCAA schedule is absolutely packed.
- UConn at Georgetown: 12:00 p.m. ET.
- Kentucky at Tennessee: 12:00 p.m. ET.
- Arizona at UCF: 4:00 p.m. ET.
- Texas Tech at BYU: 8:00 p.m. ET.
The BYU game is particularly interesting because the Marriott Center is one of the toughest places to play in the country. It’s a Top 25 clash that will definitely impact the rankings come Monday.
How to Prepare for the Long Haul
Don't be the person who realizes at 4:25 p.m. that the wings aren't in the oven.
If you're watching the NFL games, remember that playoff games often run longer than regular-season games. More commercials, longer reviews, and the potential for overtime mean you should clear your schedule until at least midnight Eastern.
Next Steps for Your Gameday:
- Check your local listings: While the national channels (CBS and FOX) are set, local blackouts or alternate programming occasionally pop up for secondary sports.
- Charge your devices: If you’re tracking your fantasy team or betting lines on your phone while the game is on the big screen, you'll need the juice.
- Verify your streaming logins: Don't wait until kickoff to find out your Paramount+ subscription expired or you forgot your FOX Sports password.
- Sync your clock: NFL games rarely start exactly on the minute of the hour, but you want to be in your seat at least 10 minutes before the 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET marks to see the intros and the coin toss.