You've probably been there. It’s Saturday afternoon, the snacks are laid out, and you realize you have no idea if the game is on CBS, FOX, or some random streaming app you haven't logged into for months. Today is January 17, 2026, and we are officially in the heat of the NFL Divisional Round. This is arguably the best weekend of football all year. The pretenders are gone. Only the heavy hitters remain.
If you’re scrambling to find out what channel does the football game come on today, the answer depends on which half of the doubleheader you're looking for. We have two massive matchups today that will determine who moves one step closer to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
Bills at Broncos: The Afternoon Kickoff
First up, the Buffalo Bills travel to the thin air of Mile High to face the Denver Broncos. This one starts at 4:30 p.m. ET.
You can catch the Bills and Broncos on CBS.
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. Paramount+ will be streaming the game live since it's a CBS broadcast. It’s kind of a classic AFC clash. Josh Allen is still doing Josh Allen things—basically playing like a human bulldozer—while the Broncos have turned Empower Field into a literal fortress this season. Most people expected Denver to fold under the playoff pressure, but their defense has been playing lights-out.
The Broncos entered the playoffs as the top seed in the AFC after a 14-3 regular season. Buffalo, the 6-seed, had to survive a wild road game against the Jaguars last week just to get here.
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Watching Without Cable
- Primary Channel: CBS
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- Mobile: NFL+ app (usually requires a subscription for live local/primetime games)
- International: NFL Game Pass via DAZN
49ers at Seahawks: The Primetime Showdown
Once the afternoon sun sets in Denver, the action shifts to the Pacific Northwest. The San Francisco 49ers are taking on the Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET.
This game will be broadcast on FOX.
Honestly, there isn't a much better rivalry in the NFC West than this one. It's loud. It’s rainy. It’s Lumen Field. Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady are on the call, which has become the standard for the big "Game of the Week" slots on FOX.
Seattle has been a juggernaut this year under Mike Macdonald. They finished 14-3 and earned that crucial first-round bye. San Francisco, on the other hand, had to battle through the Wild Card round, beating the Eagles 23-19 to set up this divisional rematch. These teams already played twice in the regular season, and let’s just say they don't like each other much.
For the streamers, you’ll want to head to the FOX Sports app or use a service like Fubo or Hulu + Live TV. FOX One is also an option if you’re looking for the dedicated digital feed.
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Why the Schedule is Different This Year
You might be wondering where the college games are.
Usually, mid-January is quiet for college football, but remember the new 12-team playoff format changed the rhythm. However, for today, the college world is actually in a bit of a "calm before the storm." The National Championship between Indiana and Miami doesn't happen until Monday, January 19.
Today is mostly about media days and fan fests in Miami. If you see "college football" on your guide today, it’s likely a basketball game—like the Georgia vs. Arkansas matchup on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. ET—or a replay of the semifinals. Don't let the guide fool you; the only "football" with a pigskin today is the NFL variety.
Breaking Down the Broadcast Teams
Sometimes you want to know who you're listening to before you commit to the volume level.
- Bills vs. Broncos (CBS): Expect the lead crew. While Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are the usual suspects, CBS often rotates their top-tier talent during the divisional round to prep for the AFC Championship.
- 49ers vs. Seahawks (FOX): This is the Tom Brady show. Love him or hate him, his insight into playoff pressure is actually pretty fascinating. He’ll be alongside Burkhardt, with Erin Andrews providing the sideline updates.
Streaming Options and Common Pitfalls
If you’re asking "what channel does the football game come on today" because you don't have a TV antenna, you have to be careful with "blackout" rules.
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NFL+ is great for your phone, but it won't let you "cast" the game to your TV in many cases. If you want the big screen experience, Paramount+ (for the Bills) and the FOX Sports app (for the Niners) are your best bets. Fubo remains a fan favorite because it carries almost every local channel, though it’s getting pricier every year.
Pro tip: If your internet is laggy, try a digital antenna. These games are broadcast over-the-air for free. You might get a crisper 4K-ish signal from an antenna than you will from a stream that’s 30 seconds behind your Twitter feed. There is nothing worse than hearing your neighbor cheer while your screen shows the quarterback still under center.
Actionable Steps for Today's Games
To make sure you don't miss a single snap of the divisional action, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Check your CBS signal by 4:00 p.m. ET. Give yourself thirty minutes to troubleshoot any Paramount+ login issues before the Bills and Broncos kick off.
- Sync your social media. If you’re watching on a stream, mute your notifications. The "live" stream is usually 20 to 40 seconds behind the actual broadcast.
- Download the FOX Sports app now. Don't wait until 7:55 p.m. to realize you need to update the app or recover your password for the Seahawks game.
- Monitor the weather. Seattle is looking at potential rain, which usually means more "ground and pound" football. Adjust your fantasy or betting expectations accordingly; points might be harder to come by in the late game.
The path to the Super Bowl goes through Denver and Seattle today. Grab the remote, find CBS and FOX, and settle in.