You’ve got the snacks ready. The TV is tuned to the right channel. But there’s one thing nagging at you before kickoff: what is the spread on tonight's football game? If you’re looking at the Divisional Round matchups for Saturday, January 17, 2026, you aren't just looking at a game. You're looking at a chess match between oddsmakers and the betting public.
Tonight is a double-header that essentially decides the trajectory of the AFC and NFC championships. We have the Buffalo Bills taking on the Denver Broncos in the afternoon, followed by a massive NFC West rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks.
The numbers are shifting. Honestly, if you checked the lines this morning, they might already be different.
The Afternoon Battle: Bills at Broncos
First up, we have the Buffalo Bills traveling to Empower Field at Mile High to face the Denver Broncos. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
Right now, the spread on tonight's football game for this matchup has the Denver Broncos as 1.5-point favorites.
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It’s a tight one. Basically, the oddsmakers are saying this is a coin flip, giving Denver a tiny edge mostly because of that thin mountain air. Bo Nix has been playing with a level of poise we rarely see from young quarterbacks in the postseason. On the other side, Josh Allen is... well, he’s Josh Allen. He can win a game single-handedly or throw three picks trying to be a hero.
The total (over/under) is sitting around 45.5 points.
Interestingly, the money seems to be split. While Denver is the favorite at -1.5, a lot of late "sharp" money has been trickling in on Buffalo. Why? Because James Cook has been a monster lately. If Buffalo can run the ball and keep Nix off the field, that 1.5-point spread feels like a gift for Bills fans.
The Nightcap: 49ers vs. Seahawks
Then we get to the primetime slot at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. This is the one everyone is talking about. The San Francisco 49ers are heading into the "Clink" (Lumen Field) to face the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks.
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For this second matchup, the spread on tonight's football game is Seattle Seahawks -7.
Seven points is a massive number for a playoff game between divisional rivals. Usually, these games are absolute dogfights. But remember, Seattle is coming off a rest week. They are the #1 seed for a reason. Sam Darnold has undergone a career resurgence that nobody—literally nobody—saw coming two years ago. He’s 28-6 as a starter over the last two seasons.
But here is the catch.
The 49ers are 7.0-point underdogs, but they just beat the Eagles in a gritty Wild Card game. Brock Purdy is 5-2 in the playoffs. He knows how to handle the pressure. However, he’s going into tonight without George Kittle, which is a huge blow to their red-zone efficiency.
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- Spread: Seahawks -7
- Moneyline: Seahawks -340 / 49ers +270
- Total: 44.5 points
Most experts, like Bill Bender and Pete Prisco, are calling for a close game—something like 24-20 in favor of Seattle. If that happens, the 49ers "cover" the spread even if they lose the game.
Why The Spread Matters Tonight
If you aren't a regular bettor, you might wonder why people obsess over a 1.5-point or 7-point line. It’s about the "key numbers." In the NFL, games often end with a margin of 3 or 7 points because of how scoring works (field goals and touchdowns).
When the spread is 7, like it is for the Seahawks game, it’s a dangerous spot. If Seattle wins by exactly a touchdown, the bet is a "push," and you just get your money back. No win, no loss. Just a lot of wasted adrenaline.
The Broncos game at -1.5 is different. Since you can't score 1.5 points, someone has to win the bet. If Denver wins by 1, Bills bettors win. If Denver wins by 2 or more, Broncos bettors win. It’s a "binary" line that forces a result.
Actionable Next Steps for Tonight
Before you place any last-minute wagers or settle into your couch, keep these factors in mind:
- Watch the Weather: Denver in January can be brutal. If the wind picks up, that 45.5 over/under is going to look very high.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Trent Williams returning for the 49ers is a massive boost for Purdy’s blindside. If he's a full go, that 7-point spread looks a lot more vulnerable.
- Check Multiple Books: Don't just take the first number you see. One sportsbook might have Seattle at -7 while another has them at -6.5. That half-point is the difference between a win and a push.
The Divisional Round is where the pretenders get sent home. Whether you're pulling for the upset in Seattle or expecting a defensive battle in Denver, the numbers suggest we are in for a long, dramatic Saturday of football.