If you woke up today wondering about the NFL playoffs or if there’s any college ball left to scratch that itch, you aren’t alone. It is Saturday, January 17, 2026. The air is crisp, the stakes are high, and honestly, the TV schedule is kind of a mess if you don't know where to look. We are officially in the heart of the NFL Divisional Round, which is arguably the best football weekend of the entire year.
Forget the 14-team bloat of the Wild Card round. Today is about the heavy hitters.
The NFL Slate: Who is Playing and Where?
When people ask what channel for football today, they usually mean the pros. We’ve got a double-header that features a massive AFC showdown and a classic NFC West rivalry that usually ends in someone losing a tooth.
First up at 4:30 p.m. ET, the Buffalo Bills (12-5) travel to Mile High to take on the top-seeded Denver Broncos (14-3). This game is airing on CBS. If you’ve cut the cord, you can find it streaming on Paramount+. Seeing Josh Allen go up against Bo Nix in the thin Denver air is basically a guarantee for some "superhero" highlights.
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Later tonight, the atmosphere shifts to the Pacific Northwest. At 8:00 p.m. ET, the San Francisco 49ers head to Seattle to face the Seahawks on FOX. This isn't just a playoff game; it’s a grudge match. You can stream this one via the FOX Sports app or FOX One.
What Channel For Football Today: The Full Schedule
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV Channel | Streaming Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos | 4:30 p.m. | CBS | Paramount+, Fubo, NFL+ |
| San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks | 8:00 p.m. | FOX | FOX Sports App, Hulu + Live TV |
Is there any College Football today?
I’ll give it to you straight: No.
If you’re looking for Saturday afternoon college vibes, you’re going to be disappointed. The 12-team playoff format has shifted the calendar significantly. We are currently in the "dark zone" between the semifinals and the big dance.
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The College Football Playoff National Championship between the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes and the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers doesn’t happen until Monday, January 19. That game will be on ESPN. So, for today, it’s all about the NFL or looking across the pond.
The Morning Alternative: Premier League Soccer
If you were up at the crack of dawn, you probably noticed the English Premier League was out in full force. Since "football" is a global term, it's worth noting that the Manchester Derby (United vs. City) kicked things off early on USA Network.
If you’re reading this around lunchtime, you can still catch Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. It’s a solid appetizer before the Broncos and Bills take the field.
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Why the Divisional Round feels different
There’s a specific tension to today. In the Wild Card round, you often get a "happy to be here" team that gets steamrolled. Not today. The Broncos and Seahawks have been sitting at home, resting, waiting for their prey.
The Bills just survived a slugfest against Jacksonville, and the 49ers had to claw past the Eagles. Now they have to play on the road against rested, angry number-one seeds. It’s brutal. It's beautiful.
Watching without Cable
Honestly, you've got options. If you don't have a literal coaxial cable coming out of your wall, don't sweat it.
- YouTube TV / Fubo / Hulu + Live TV: These carry CBS and FOX in almost every market.
- Paramount+: Essential for the 4:30 p.m. AFC game.
- Antenna: If you're old school, a $20 digital antenna will pick up both CBS and FOX in HD for free.
Actionable Next Steps
To make sure you don't miss kickoff while fumbling with a remote, do these three things right now:
- Check your Paramount+ login. Nothing is worse than seeing "Incorrect Password" at 4:29 p.m. when the Bills are lining up to kick off.
- Sync your snacks. The gap between the 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. games is shorter than you think once you account for post-game interviews and halftime shows.
- Download the NFL app. If you have to step away from the TV, the live "Game Center" is the fastest way to track drives without the lag of social media spoilers.
The path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara goes through Denver and Seattle today. Clear the schedule, grab the remote, and enjoy the ride.