What Time Are the NFL Playoff Games: The Schedule You Actually Need

Wild Card weekend is officially in the rearview mirror. If you’re like me, you’re probably still processing that Texans win over the Steelers or wondering how the Eagles let that game against the 49ers slip away. But we don't have time to dwell. The Divisional Round is the best weekend in football, bar none. It's when the heavy hitters—the Broncos and Seahawks—finally come off their byes and everyone else is playing on raw adrenaline.

Getting the timing right is always a bit of a scramble because the NFL loves to flex these windows until the very last second. Honestly, there is nothing worse than firing up the grill only to realize kickoff was an hour ago. If you are asking what time are the nfl playoff games for this coming weekend and beyond, I’ve got the exact rundown so you don't miss a single snap.

The Divisional Round Breakdown

This is where things get serious. We have four games spread across Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18. The matchups are set, the home fields are locked, and the weather in places like Denver and Chicago is looking... well, like January football.

Saturday, January 17: The Heavyweights Return

Saturday starts with the AFC. The Denver Broncos finished the regular season at 14-3, snagging that coveted number one seed. They’ve been resting, but the Buffalo Bills are coming in hot after taking down Jacksonville.

• Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
  • Time: 4:30 PM ET
  • Network: CBS (Streaming on Paramount+)
  • The Vibe: High altitude, Josh Allen’s arm, and a rested Sean Payton squad. This is the "coffee and wings" game for the West Coast folks.

Once that wraps up, we head over to the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle Seahawks have the nightcap, and they’re hosting a divisional rival. There is no love lost here.

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• San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
  • Time: 8:00 PM ET
  • Network: FOX
  • The Vibe: Lumen Field is going to be deafening. The 49ers just scraped by the Eagles, and now they have to face a rested Geno Smith and that Seattle crowd. It’s going to be loud.

Sunday, January 18: The Old Guard and the New Wave

Sunday shifts the focus to Foxborough and the Windy City. The Patriots are back in the mix, looking surprisingly sharp, while the Bears are hosting their first home divisional game in fifteen years.

• Houston Texans at New England Patriots
  • Time: 3:00 PM ET
  • Network: ESPN / ABC (Streaming on ESPN+)
  • The Vibe: CJ Stroud vs. the New England defense. This is the afternoon slot, perfect for a mid-day football feast.

To close out the weekend, we get a primetime NFC showdown.

• Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
  • Time: 6:30 PM ET
  • Network: NBC (Streaming on Peacock)
  • The Vibe: Caleb Williams in a primetime playoff spot at Soldier Field. The Rams put up 34 points in the Wild Card round, so expect some fireworks even if the temperature is sub-zero.

Championship Sunday: The Final Hurdle

If you’re planning ahead for the big one before the Super Bowl, mark your calendars for Sunday, January 25. This is when we find out who’s actually going to Santa Clara. The NFL keeps the timing consistent for these two games every year.

The AFC Championship kicks off first at 3:00 PM ET on CBS. Usually, the higher seed hosts, so if Denver wins this weekend, the road to the Super Bowl goes through Mile High.

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Then, the NFC Championship follows at 6:30 PM ET on FOX. By the time the sun goes down, we’ll know our Super Bowl matchup. It’s a long day of football, but it’s basically a national holiday for fans.

Looking Toward Super Bowl LX

Everything leads to Levi's Stadium. Super Bowl LX is scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2026.

The kickoff time for the Super Bowl is almost always the same: 6:30 PM ET. This year, NBC has the broadcast rights, which means you’ll see the game on your local NBC station or you can stream it on Peacock. If you’re on the West Coast, that’s a 3:30 PM kickoff, which is basically the perfect time to start the halftime snacks.

Why the Kickoff Times Matter for Your Strategy

You’ve probably noticed that the NFL splits these games between "afternoon" and "primetime" slots. There’s a science to it. They want the biggest markets in the evening windows to drive those TV ratings. For fans, it means you have to pace yourself.

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I’ve seen too many people go all-out for the 3:00 PM game and then they’re falling asleep by the fourth quarter of the 8:00 PM game. Don't be that person.

Also, keep an eye on the streaming platforms. A lot of people got caught off guard during Wild Card weekend because they didn't realize certain games were on Peacock or Paramount+. For the Divisional Round, the games are mostly on major networks (CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC), but having those apps ready as a backup is a pro move.

Real Talk on the Matchups

Basically, we are looking at a weekend of "rest vs. rust." Denver and Seattle haven't played a meaningful snap in two weeks. Meanwhile, teams like the Rams and Bills are riding the momentum of a Wild Card win.

I personally think the 49ers-Seahawks game is the one to watch. Seattle beat them once this season, San Francisco took the other. A rubber match in the playoffs at 8:00 PM on a Saturday? That is peak NFL.

And don't sleep on the Texans heading to New England. People keep waiting for the Texans to look like "the young team," but they just keep winning. If they can handle the environment at Foxborough at 3:00 PM on a Sunday, the AFC is going to get very interesting.

Actionable Next Steps for Playoff Weekend

1. Check your local listings for time zone shifts. If you’re in Central time, the 4:30 PM ET games start at 3:30 PM. If you're Mountain, it's 2:30 PM. Pacific is 1:30 PM.
2. Verify your streaming logins. Ensure your Paramount+ (for CBS games), Peacock (for NBC games), and ESPN+ logins are active.
3. Monitor the weather reports. Games in Denver, Foxborough, and Chicago are susceptible to snow or extreme cold, which can actually delay kickoffs or change the pace of the game.
4. Set your DVR for the Championship games now. Sunday, January 25 at 3:00 PM ET and 6:30 PM ET.
5. Plan your Super Bowl LX viewing. February 8 at 6:30 PM ET on NBC.

The road to the Lombardi Trophy is narrow, and the clock is already ticking for these eight remaining teams.