If you’ve been living under a rock, welcome back to the light: it’s Divisional Round Saturday. We’ve reached that glorious point in January where the pretenders have been sent home and the true contenders are ready to knock each other's teeth out for a spot in the conference championships. Honestly, if you're asking what time do the football games start today, you’re probably just making sure you have enough time to hit the store for wings before kickoff.
Today, January 17, 2026, features a heavy-hitting double-header in the NFL. We don't have any college ball today—the Indiana vs. Miami national title showdown isn't until Monday—so all eyes are on the pros and some high-stakes European soccer.
NFL Divisional Round: Kickoff Times and TV Channels
The NFL is sticking to its classic Saturday playoff formula. We have two games today, one from each conference, starting in the late afternoon and rolling straight into primetime.
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (AFC)
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS / Paramount+
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This is the one everyone is talking about. You’ve got Josh Allen taking the Bills into the thin air of Mile High to face Bo Nix and the top-seeded Broncos. Denver has been a juggernaut this year, securing home-field advantage with a 14-3 record. Buffalo, meanwhile, had to grind through a 27-24 thriller against the Jaguars last week just to get here.
Expect a lot of "superhero stuff" from Allen, but don't sleep on the Denver defense. They’ve been suffocating teams all year at Empower Field. If you're streaming, Paramount+ is your go-to, or you can catch it on the NFL+ app if you're on the move.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (NFC)
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
The nightcap is a pure divisional grudge match. The 49ers and Seahawks have already seen each other twice this season, and it’s been a total toss-up. Seattle won the most recent meeting in Week 18 to clinch the #1 seed, but Kyle Shanahan always seems to have a trick up his sleeve for the playoffs.
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Brock Purdy is coming off a gritty win in Philly, but he’ll be without some key pieces like Fred Warner, who is officially out with an ankle injury. Seattle is favored by 7 points for a reason—Sam Darnold has been reborn in that system—but in a rivalry game this late in the year, the spread basically feels like a suggestion rather than a rule.
What About the Rest of the World?
If you're an early riser or just prefer the "other" football, the European slate is absolutely packed today. While the NFL owns the afternoon and evening, the morning belonged to the Premier League and La Liga.
English Premier League Action:
- Manchester United vs. Manchester City: This kicked off the day at 7:30 a.m. ET. The Manchester Derby is always a circus, regardless of the standings.
- Liverpool vs. Burnley: 10:00 a.m. ET.
- Tottenham vs. West Ham: 10:00 a.m. ET.
- Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal: The late window for the UK started at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Europe’s Big Games:
Over in Spain, Real Madrid took on Levante at 8:00 a.m. ET. If you're looking for something to watch right now before the NFL starts, Italy’s Serie A has Cagliari vs. Juventus kicking off at 2:45 p.m. ET. It’s the perfect bridge for that weird hour between your lunch and the Bills game.
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Why Today’s Schedule is Kinda Weird
Usually, we're used to seeing a bunch of college bowl games on a Saturday in mid-January, but the expanded 12-team playoff and the shifting schedule mean today is strictly an NFL and soccer day.
There’s also the weather factor. Denver is looking cold but clear, which is a blessing for Josh Allen’s deep ball. Seattle, on the other hand, is hovering around 40 degrees with a bit of wind. It’s typical January football weather—the kind that makes you glad you’re watching from a couch and not sitting on a frozen metal bench.
Watching the Games Without Cable
If you cut the cord years ago, you're fine. CBS (Bills/Broncos) is on Paramount+, and FOX (49ers/Seahawks) is available via the FOX Sports app if you have a login, or through services like FuboTV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV.
Basically, as long as you have an internet connection, you aren’t missing the Divisional Round.
Pro-tip: If you’re using an antenna, check your signal now. There’s nothing worse than the 4:00 p.m. scramble when you realize your local CBS affiliate is coming in fuzzy right as the national anthem starts.
Your Game Day Action Plan
- Check the Apps: Ensure your Paramount+ or YouTube TV login hasn't expired. It happens at the worst times.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep an eye on 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall. He’s questionable with a knee injury, and his presence (or lack thereof) changes that 8:00 p.m. game entirely.
- Sync Your Clock: All the times we talked about are Eastern. If you’re on the West Coast, the Bills start at 1:30 p.m. PT. Don't be the person who shows up to the party three hours late.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara goes through Denver and Seattle today. Clear your schedule, grab your jersey, and get comfortable. It's going to be a long night.