You’re sitting on the couch, wings are probably on the way, and you're staring at the remote wondering where the heck the kickoff is. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and we are right in the thick of the NFL Divisional Round. If you're looking for what channel is the next football game on, you’ve got two massive matchups today that are basically going to decide who has a real shot at Super Bowl LX.
Honestly, the schedule is split between two different networks today, so don't get caught scrolling through a hundred channels of infomercials.
Today's NFL Divisional Round Schedule
The first game on the docket features the Buffalo Bills visiting the Denver Broncos. This is a 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff. You can find this one on CBS. If you’ve cut the cord, you aren’t out of luck; it’s streaming live on Paramount+. It’s a huge legacy matchup—Josh Allen in the thin air of Mile High is always a spectacle, and with the Broncos holding that #1 seed, the energy is going to be ridiculous.
Once that wraps up, you’ve got a bit of a breather before the nightcap.
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At 8:00 p.m. ET, it’s an NFC West bloodbath: the San Francisco 49ers vs. the Seattle Seahawks. This game is airing on FOX. For the streamers, you’ll want to pull up the FOX Sports app or use a service like Fubo. Seeing these two rivals meet in the playoffs is pretty much as good as it gets for January football.
What about tomorrow and Monday?
If you're planning your whole weekend, Sunday, January 18, keeps the momentum going.
The Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. Later that night, the Los Angeles Rams face the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET. That one is a NBC exclusive, which means you can also stream it on Peacock.
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And don't forget the college fans. While today is all about the pros, the College Football Playoff National Championship between Miami and Indiana isn't until Monday night, January 19. That game will be on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. It’s actually kind of wild that Indiana made it this far, but Curt Cignetti has those guys playing out of their minds.
Quick Reference for Today (January 17)
- Bills at Broncos: 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
- 49ers at Seahawks: 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX (Stream on FOX Sports App/Fubo)
Basically, if you have a standard antenna or a basic cable package, you’re set for today. The transition from CBS in the afternoon to FOX in the evening is a classic playoff Saturday tradition.
Pro Tips for Watching
Double-check your local listings if you're in a weird market, but these are national broadcasts. If you’re using a streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, just search for "NFL" and it’ll usually pop right to the top of your "Live" tab.
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Make sure your apps are updated. There is nothing worse than clicking into Paramount+ or Peacock five minutes before kickoff only to be hit with a "System Update" bar that moves at the speed of a defensive lineman in a 40-yard dash.
Get your snacks ready now. The Bills-Broncos game is likely to run right into the pre-game coverage for the Niners and Seahawks, so you won't have much of a window to run to the store.
For the best experience, tune into CBS at 3:30 p.m. ET for The NFL Today to get the final injury reports and weather updates for Denver. It’s looking chilly at Mile High, which usually means the ground game is going to be a lot more important than the betting lines suggest.
Check your internet connection if you're streaming in 4K—these playoff broadcasts eat up a lot of bandwidth, and nobody wants a buffering wheel right when a touchdown pass is in the air.