The regular season is a marathon, but January? January is a sprint through a minefield. Honestly, if you aren't parked on your couch this Saturday and Sunday, you’re missing the absolute peak of the 2025-26 season. We’ve moved past the chaos of Wild Card weekend, where we saw the Steelers get dismantled and the Panthers fall short in a heartbreaker. Now, we are down to the elite eight.
Looking for the schedule for the nfl this weekend? It’s a tight four-game slate—two on Saturday, two on Sunday. No Monday night game this time around to keep you up late before work. Just pure, unadulterated Divisional Round football. This is where the No. 1 seeds, the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks, finally step into the light after their week of rest.
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But history tells us that a week off can be a double-edged sword. Sometimes you're rested; sometimes you're rusty.
The Saturday Doubleheader: High Altitude and Rivalry Heat
Saturday, January 17, is basically a holiday for football junkies. The action kicks off in the Thin Air of the Mile High City.
Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
The first game starts at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. You can also stream it on Paramount+.
The Bills (No. 6 seed) are coming off a gritty win against Jacksonville. They are the road warriors right now. Josh Allen is playing that "controlled chaos" style of football that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep. On the other side, the Broncos (No. 1 seed) have been the class of the AFC all year with a 14-3 record. Denver’s defense is legendary at home, but can they handle a Buffalo team that has nothing to lose? Interestingly, despite being the lower seed, some Vegas lines have the Bills as a tiny 1.5-point favorite. That tells you everything you need to know about how dangerous Buffalo is right now.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
The nightcap is at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
If you like "old school" hatred, this is your game. These two just played in Week 18, and now they’re doing it again with the season on the line. The Seahawks (No. 1 seed) secured the NFC West and the top seed, but the 49ers (No. 6 seed) just took down the Eagles in Philadelphia. It’s a rematch at Lumen Field, and the "12s" are going to be deafening. Seattle is favored by about 7.5 points, but in a divisional rivalry game, those numbers usually fly out the window by the second quarter.
The Sunday Slate: Blue Bloods and Rising Stars
Sunday, January 18, feels a bit more "traditional," featuring two of the league's most storied franchises hosting young, hungry rosters.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
This one starts at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN.
C.J. Stroud and the Texans are officially for real. They absolutely smoked Pittsburgh 30-6 last Monday night. They have zero fear. But going into Foxborough in January is a different beast entirely. The Patriots (No. 2 seed) finished 14-3 and have that clinical, postseason-ready look about them again. It’s the "new guard" versus the "established power."
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
The weekend wraps up at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC (and Peacock).
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Soldier Field in January? It's going to be cold. The Bears (No. 2 seed) survived a scare from the Packers last week, while the Rams (No. 5 seed) outlasted the Panthers. This game is a fascinating contrast in styles. You've got the high-flying Rams offense versus a Chicago team that has rediscovered its identity through a punishing defense and a loud home crowd. The Rams are actually slight 3.5-point favorites on the road, which might rub Bears fans the wrong way.
Why the Schedule for the NFL This Weekend Matters So Much
The Divisional Round is statistically the best weekend of football every year. Why? Because the "fluke" teams are usually gone. You’re left with the teams that actually have a path to the Super Bowl.
For the Broncos and Seahawks, this weekend is about validation. If you’re a No. 1 seed and you lose your first game after a bye, the entire season feels like a failure. For the "underdogs" like Buffalo and San Francisco, it’s about momentum. They’ve already won a playoff game. They’re "warm."
Keep in mind that if you’re planning your viewing, the broadcast maps are national for these games. You don't have to worry about "local market" blackouts like the regular season. If you have a basic antenna, a cable sub, or the right streaming apps (Paramount+, Peacock, and FOX Sports), you’re set.
Actionable Advice for Your Playoff Weekend
If you want to make the most of the schedule for the nfl this weekend, here is how to handle the logistics:
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- Check the Weather in Chicago: If the wind is howling off Lake Michigan, expect the Under to hit in that Rams-Bears game. Points will be at a premium.
- Sync Your Streams: If you’re watching on Paramount+ or Peacock, remember there’s usually a 30-second delay compared to the "live" cable broadcast. If you’re in a group chat, mute your notifications so your friends don't spoil the touchdowns.
- Watch the Injury Reports: Pay close attention to the Broncos' offensive line and the Seahawks' secondary. Coming off a bye week, you need to see who is actually "full go" in Friday's practice.
- Prepare for the Championship Sunday: Whoever wins this weekend will play on Sunday, January 25. The AFC game will be at 3:00 p.m. ET on CBS, and the NFC game will be at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
The path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow. By Sunday night, we'll know the final four. Enjoy the games—there’s nothing like playoff football when the stakes are this high.