Honestly, there is nothing quite like Divisional Round Saturday. If you've been following the season, you know this is usually when the "pretenders" get sorted out from the teams that actually have a shot at a ring. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, we’ve got a massive double-header that basically spans the entire country, from the thin air in Denver to the rainy loud-house that is Seattle.
The NFL TV schedule for today is tight, and if you miss the kickoff for that first AFC game, you're going to be playing catch-up on social media all night. We are officially in the heart of the 2025-26 postseason. No more fluff. Just high-stakes football.
The Afternoon Kickoff: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
First up at 4:30 p.m. ET, we have the Buffalo Bills traveling to face the Denver Broncos. This is airing on CBS. If you’re a cord-cutter, you’re looking at Paramount+ for the stream.
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This matchup is kinda wild when you look at how these teams got here. Denver secured that #1 seed and has been resting up, while Josh Allen and the Bills had to grind out a 27-24 win against the Jaguars just to earn this trip to Empower Field at Mile High.
Why this game matters
- The Elevation Factor: Playing in Denver in mid-January is a nightmare. The air is thin, it’s usually freezing, and the home crowd is relentless.
- The Quarterback Duel: You’ve got the veteran Josh Allen going against Bo Nix, who has really found his rhythm in this Sean Payton offense.
- Rest vs. Rust: Denver hasn't played a meaningful snap in two weeks. Sometimes that leads to a slow start, and against a team like Buffalo, a slow start can be fatal.
Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are on the call for this one, so expect a lot of "Ooh, I don't know, Jim!" throughout the afternoon. If the Bills can't establish a run game early, Allen is going to have to play hero-ball, which is always entertaining but incredibly risky in the playoffs.
The Prime Time Showdown: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Once the dust settles in Denver, flip over to FOX at 8:00 p.m. ET. We are getting a classic NFC West rivalry for the second game of the NFL TV schedule for today.
The San Francisco 49ers are heading into the "Clink"—Lumen Field—to take on the #1 seeded Seattle Seahawks. This is one of those games where the seeds almost don't matter because these two teams hate each other. They’ve played twice already this year, and the familiarity is going to make for some very gritty, defensive football.
Seattle has been the surprise of the NFC this year, snatching that top seed. Meanwhile, the 49ers are coming off a 23-19 slugfest win over the Eagles.
Brock Purdy is going to have to deal with the 12th Man, which is historically where young quarterbacks go to struggle. Seattle’s secondary has been opportunistic all year, so any slight mistiming on those middle-of-the-field throws could end up as a pick-six. It’s going to be loud. It's going to be rainy. It’s basically peak January football.
Watching and Streaming: What You Need to Know
Look, I get it. Keeping track of which app has which game is a total headache lately.
Basically, for the Bills-Broncos game, if you have a digital antenna, you’re good with your local CBS station. If you’re streaming, Paramount+ is the direct home. For the nightcap, FOX is the broadcast home. If you use FuboTV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV, you’ll have access to both.
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Don't forget that NFL+ also streams these games on mobile devices, but honestly, watching a playoff game on a six-inch screen feels like a crime against humanity. Get it on the big screen if you can.
The Full Saturday Slate (All Times Eastern)
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos | 4:30 p.m. | CBS / Paramount+
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks | 8:00 p.m. | FOX / FOX Sports App
What Most People Are Missing About Today
Everyone talks about the quarterbacks, but the real story for the NFL TV schedule for today might be the kickers. In Denver, the ball flies further, but the cold makes it feel like kicking a rock. In Seattle, the wind off the Sound can turn a 40-yard chip shot into a knuckleball.
In a one-possession game—which both of these are projected to be—a missed extra point or a shanked field goal is usually what we end up talking about on Monday morning.
Also, keep an eye on the injury reports for the 49ers. They played a physical game against Philly just a few days ago. Coming off a "short" week to play the rested Seahawks in their building is a massive uphill battle. Many experts think the NFL did the Niners dirty with this scheduling, and honestly, they might be right.
Looking Ahead to Tomorrow
If you survive the adrenaline of today, Sunday has another double-header.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock)
But for right now, focus on the AFC and NFC West battles on deck.
To get the most out of your viewing experience, make sure your streaming apps are updated at least an hour before the 4:30 p.m. kickoff. There is nothing worse than seeing a "system update" progress bar while Josh Allen is leading a two-minute drill. If you're hosting a watch party, keep in mind that the Denver game might run long if it goes to overtime—which has happened quite a bit this season—so the Seattle kickoff might feel like it's coming fast.
Check your local listings to confirm the exact channel number for CBS and FOX in your area. If you are using an antenna, do a quick "channel scan" now to ensure the signal strength is peaking before the weather potentially turns.