If you’re waking up wondering what football games are on today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, grab a coffee. It is going to be a long one. We are officially in the heart of the NFL Divisional Round, which is arguably the best weekend of the entire year for any red-blooded football fan. The stakes are massive, the weather in Denver looks predictably chilly, and the bracket is finally starting to make sense—or lack thereof, depending on how your Wild Card picks went.
But it’s not just about the NFL. If you're a "football is life" person who considers the global game just as vital, the European schedule is absolutely packed. We've got the Manchester Derby happening across the pond, some high-stakes Bundesliga action, and a La Liga title race that’s getting incredibly tight. Basically, if there’s a ball and a field, someone is playing on it today.
NFL Divisional Round: The Heavy Hitters Take the Stage
The big story today is the return of the No. 1 seeds. After a week of resting and watching the Wild Card chaos from their couches, the heavyweights finally have to put up or shut up.
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
This is the one everyone is talking about. The Denver Broncos, led by Bo Nix in his home playoff debut, are the AFC’s top seed for the first time in a decade. It’s a huge moment for Sean Payton, who has managed to turn this franchise around faster than most experts expected. They’re facing a Buffalo Bills team that just gutted out a tough win over Jacksonville.
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Josh Allen is playing through some obvious physical tolls—he’s dealing with a few nagging injuries—but he looked like a superhero in the fourth quarter last week. The Bills are thin at receiver though. With both Tyrell Shavers and Gabe Davis out with ACL tears, keep an eye on Khalil Shakir and the newly elevated Mecole Hardman Jr. Denver’s defense is no joke either; they set a franchise record with 68 sacks this season. If they get to Allen early, it could be a long afternoon for Buffalo.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (8:00 p.m. ET, FOX)
Later tonight, we get an NFC West grudge match. The Seattle Seahawks secured the No. 1 seed and the bye, and now they host their rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. Brock Purdy is looking to bounce back after a shaky end to the regular season, including a loss right here at Lumen Field in Week 18.
The environment in Seattle is always hostile, but for a playoff game? It’s going to be deafening. The 49ers are coming off a 23-19 win over Philly where they looked solid but not invincible. They’ll need Christian McCaffrey to be the focal point because Seattle’s secondary has been ball-hawking lately.
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The Global Game: Premier League and Beyond
If you’re an early riser, the Premier League has a massive slate. Honestly, the Manchester Derby usually dictates the mood for the rest of the day for half the UK.
- Manchester United vs. Manchester City (7:30 a.m. ET): A breakfast-time kickoff for US viewers. The blue and red halves of Manchester are at it again at Old Trafford.
- Liverpool vs. Burnley (10:00 a.m. ET): Liverpool is looking to keep their lead at the top.
- Tottenham vs. West Ham (10:00 a.m. ET): A London derby that usually delivers goals and at least one questionable VAR decision.
- Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal (12:30 p.m. ET): The Gunners are on the road for the late kickoff.
Over in Germany, the Bundesliga isn’t slowing down. RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich at 5:30 p.m. local time (12:30 p.m. ET) is the marquee matchup. It’s basically a title eliminator at this point. In Spain, Real Madrid hosts Levante, while Real Betis takes on Villarreal in the late slot.
Why Today Matters for the Bracket
When people search for what football games are on, they’re usually looking for more than just a TV schedule. They want to know the "why."
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Today’s NFL games determine the hosting rights for the Championship games. If Denver wins, the AFC Championship stays in the Mile High City. If Seattle wins, the road to the Super Bowl goes through the Pacific Northwest. We are seeing a shift in the league's power dynamics. The old guard is fading, and guys like Bo Nix and Jordan Love (who plays tomorrow) are taking over.
In the college world, things are a bit quieter today as we prep for the National Championship on Monday, January 19, between Indiana and Miami. However, if you're a scouting nerd, today is a big day for checking out underclassmen who just met the January 14 deadline to apply for "Special Eligibility" for the NFL Draft.
How to Watch Today's Action
You've got options, but you'll need a few different logins if you're streaming.
- CBS/Paramount+: Bills at Broncos.
- FOX/FOX One: 49ers at Seahawks.
- NBC/Peacock: If you’re looking for the Rams vs. Bears, that is actually tomorrow (Sunday) night.
- USA/Fubo/Hulu: Good for catching the Premier League morning games.
Actionable Tips for Your Gameday
- Check the Denver Weather: It’s currently January in the Rockies. Expect wind. If you’re betting the over/under on the Bills/Broncos game, look at the kicking conditions first.
- Sync Your Fantasy Apps: If you're playing playoff challenge leagues, double-check your lineups by 4:25 p.m. ET. Once that Bills kickoff happens, your AFC slots are likely locked.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on Josh Allen's pre-game warmup. He's been "optimistic" about his health, but he was clearly favoring that shoulder in the Wild Card round.
- Prep for the Long Haul: Between the early soccer and the late NFL game, you’re looking at about 15 hours of sports. Hydrate and move around during the halftime breaks.
The path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrower. By midnight tonight, two teams will be booking their tickets to the Conference Championships, and two more will be heading into an early offseason.