Football is hitting that fever pitch where your phone becomes a permanent extension of your hand. It’s January 17, 2026, and if you're like me, you’ve spent the last few hours Refresh-buttoning every sports app in existence. The Divisional Round is finally here. Honestly, the Wild Card weekend was such a whirlwind that my brain is still processing that Monday night defensive masterclass by the Texans.
If you just want the quick hit—give me the nfl scores—I’ve got the full breakdown of who survived the opening round and what’s happening on the turf today. This isn't just about numbers on a screen; it's about the fact that the road to Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium is officially down to the elite eight.
The Wild Card Chaos: How We Got Here
Before we get into today's live action, we have to talk about how insane last weekend was. We saw some legendary stuff. Matthew Stafford essentially looked like he found the Fountain of Youth in Charlotte, throwing for over 300 yards to bounce the Panthers 34-31. It was classic Stafford—a game-winning drive in the fourth that reminded everyone why the Rams are still terrifying in January.
Then you had the Bears. Man, the Chicago-Green Bay rivalry never stays quiet, does it? The Bears put up 25 points in the fourth quarter alone to stun the Packers 31-27. Seeing Jordan Love get sent home after that late-season surge was a gut punch for Wisconsin, but Soldier Field was absolutely rocking.
Here’s the full list of who moved on:
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- Los Angeles Rams 34, Carolina Panthers 31
- Chicago Bears 31, Green Bay Packers 27
- Buffalo Bills 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 24
- San Francisco 49ers 23, Philadelphia Eagles 19
- New England Patriots 16, Los Angeles Chargers 3
- Houston Texans 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 6
The Texans' win over Pittsburgh was particularly brutal. Houston's defense held Aaron Rodgers to just 6 points. That’s not a typo. Six. It might actually be the last time we see Rodgers in a helmet, which feels like the end of an era.
Today's Divisional Round Slate (January 17)
Okay, so you're looking for the current status. We are currently in the thick of the Saturday double-header.
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
This is the heavyweight bout of the AFC right now. Josh Allen is playing like a man possessed, but he’s heading into the thin air of Mile High. The Broncos are the No. 1 seed for a reason—they finished the regular season 14-3 and Bo Nix has been playing way beyond his years.
Denver is favored by a slim 1.5 points. It’s basically a toss-up. The Bills are coming off a short week after beating Jacksonville, while Denver is rested from their bye. If you’re checking the score, watch the turnover battle; Josh Allen hasn’t thrown a pick in six straight games, but the Broncos' defense led by Patrick Surtain II is a nightmare for quarterbacks.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Tonight at 8:00 PM ET, we get a classic NFC West grudge match. The 49ers just narrowly escaped Philly, but they paid a heavy price. Losing George Kittle to an Achilles tear is devastating for Brock Purdy’s options.
The Seahawks are sitting at 14-3 and have home-field advantage at Lumen Field. That place is going to be deafening. Sam Darnold has had a career resurgence in Seattle—yes, you read that right—and he’s looking for his first career playoff win. Seattle is a 7.5-point favorite, mostly because the Niners are so banged up on the defensive side without Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.
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Why This Weekend Feels Different
There’s a weird energy this year. Usually, by the time people ask to give me the nfl scores, the favorites have already pulled away. But look at the seeds. We have a No. 6 seed (Buffalo) and a No. 6 seed (San Francisco) both still alive.
The parity in 2026 is wild.
New England is still lurking too. Jerod Mayo has that defense playing like the 2000s-era Patriots. They absolutely smothered the Chargers last week. If the Texans can pull off another upset against New England tomorrow, the AFC is going to be wide open.
What’s Coming Up Tomorrow?
If you're planning your Sunday couch rotation, here’s the schedule for January 18:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:05 PM ET): C.J. Stroud vs. that suffocating Pats defense.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:40 PM ET): Can the Rams' experience outlast the Bears' momentum at Soldier Field?
Honestly, the Rams-Bears game might be the sneaky best watch of the weekend. Stafford vs. Caleb Williams is a "passing of the torch" narrative waiting to happen.
Practical Steps for Following the Action
Don't just rely on slow-refreshing websites. If you want the most accurate updates:
- Sync your calendar: Most team sites offer a "one-click" sync so you get alerts 15 minutes before kickoff.
- Monitor the injury report: Especially for the 49ers. With Kittle out, keep an eye on how they use Jauan Jennings in the red zone.
- Check the weather: Denver is looking chilly today (high 30s), which usually favors the run game. If James Cook can't get going for Buffalo, Josh Allen might have to do it all himself.
Keep your eyes on the Broncos-Bills result this evening. It'll set the tone for whether the road to the Super Bowl goes through Denver or if the AFC East is going to stage a coup. Once that game wraps, all focus shifts to Seattle.
The playoff bracket is tightening. Every snap matters now. Enjoy the games.