The wait is finally over. If you’ve spent the morning pacing your living room or obsessively checking injury reports, you're not alone. It’s Divisional Round Saturday. For everyone asking what time does buffalo play, the answer is 4:30 p.m. ET today, January 17, 2026.
Buffalo is hitting the road to take on the top-seeded Denver Broncos. This isn't just another game. It’s a massive AFC showdown at Empower Field at Mile High. The air is thin, the stakes are sky-high, and honestly, the Bills are looking to prove that their Wild Card win wasn't a fluke.
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos Kickoff Time
The game is scheduled for a late afternoon start. If you’re on the West Coast, you’re looking at a 1:30 p.m. PT kickoff. Mountain Time fans—who actually get to be at the stadium—will see the ball in the air at 2:30 p.m. local time.
CBS has the national broadcast. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are on the call. You know the drill. Expect plenty of Romo "predicting" plays three seconds before they happen while Tracy Wolfson keeps us updated from a likely freezing sideline.
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Quick Viewing Guide
- Kickoff Time: 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT)
- TV Channel: CBS
- Live Stream: Paramount+ (or NFL+ for mobile users)
- Radio: WGR 550 (Buffalo flagship) or Westwood One (National)
Why the 4:30 p.m. ET Slot Matters
There’s been a lot of chatter on Reddit and social media about this specific time slot. Some fans hate it. The Bills are coming off a shorter week after taking down the Jaguars, and playing at altitude in the early window is a physical nightmare.
The Broncos are rested. They had the bye. They’ve been sitting in that Colorado air for two weeks while Buffalo has been traveling. It’s a classic Sean Payton advantage scenario. But hey, Josh Allen usually thrives when the world is betting against him. Speaking of betting, the line has been hovering around Broncos -1.5, which basically means the oddsmakers think it's a toss-up.
How to Watch If You Don't Have Cable
Look, we're in 2026; nobody wants to deal with a cable box if they don't have to. If you’re trying to figure out what time does buffalo play so you can set up your stream, make sure your Paramount+ login actually works before 4:30 p.m.
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Paramount+ will have the local CBS feed. If you’re outside the U.S., DAZN is still the go-to for most international fans, and NFL Game Pass remains the standard for the UK crowd. Just don't wait until the opening kickoff to realize your subscription expired.
Key Storylines for Today’s Game
One thing to watch is the health of the Bills' offensive line. Connor McGovern had a scare earlier, and against a Denver front that led the league in QB hits this year, Allen needs every bit of protection he can get.
Bo Nix has been surprisingly efficient for Denver. He doesn't turn the ball over much, which is annoying if you're a Bills fan hoping for a defensive blowout. Buffalo’s defense, led by Rasul Douglas and Ed Oliver, needs to rattle the kid early.
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What’s on the Line?
A trip to the AFC Championship. That’s it. That’s the whole thing. If Buffalo wins today, they face either the Patriots or the Texans next weekend. It’s the closest they’ve been to the big one in a minute, and the window for this specific roster feels like it’s right in the middle of its prime.
Actionable Tips for Game Day
If you’re hosting a watch party or just yelling at the TV solo, keep these things in mind:
- Pre-game Prep: Get the Paramount+ app updated by 4:00 p.m. ET. Streaming services love to force an update right when the game starts.
- Radio Sync: If you hate the TV announcers, try syncing the WGR 550 audio with the TV. It’s tricky because of the delay, but hearing Chris Brown call a touchdown is way better than Romo’s "Ooh, I don't know, Jim!"
- Stay Updated: If you can't watch, the Bills' official app and the NFL app have the fastest "real-time" score updates. Social media is usually about 30 seconds behind the live play.
Buffalo has a real shot today, even as the underdog. The momentum from the Jacksonville win is real, and the "Bills Mafia" travel schedule is legendary. Denver might be the number one seed, but they haven't seen an offense this desperate in a while. Put the wings in the oven now; you want them ready by 4:15.