You're probably staring at a blank TV screen or refreshing your betting app, just trying to figure out what time does the football game start today so you don't miss the first drive. It's the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. This is where things get real. No more Wild Card fluke wins; we're down to the heavy hitters.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you were looking for college ball, I've got bad news—the bowl season is basically over. We're all just waiting for Indiana and Miami to clash for the title on Monday. Today belongs entirely to the pros.
We have a double-header. Two games. Two massive stakes.
NFL Playoff Schedule: Kickoff Times and Channels
The first game kicks off in the late afternoon. You've got time to hit the grocery store for wings, but don't dawdle.
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos The action starts at 4:30 p.m. ET. You’ll find this one on CBS. If you’ve cut the cord, it’s streaming on Paramount+.
Denver is the #1 seed in the AFC, and they’ve been resting up while the Bills had to fight through the Wild Card round just to get here. Josh Allen vs. that Denver altitude is always a weird vibe, honestly. Denver’s defense has been holding teams to under 280 yards a game, which is honestly kind of terrifying when you think about it.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks This is the nightcap. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
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It’s an NFC West rivalry game in the playoffs. These two teams know each other's playbooks better than they know their own families. Since it’s at Lumen Field in Seattle, expect it to be loud enough to vibrate your living room floor. You can stream this via the FOX Sports app or "FOX One."
Why the 4:30 p.m. Start Time Matters
The NFL loves this 4:30 slot for the Saturday Divisional game. It hits that sweet spot where the East Coast is getting ready for dinner and the West Coast is just finishing lunch.
But here is the thing: "kickoff" at 4:30 p.m. usually means the ball isn't actually in the air until 4:35 or 4:40 p.m. because of the national anthem and the inevitable pre-game hype packages. If you're the type who hates missing the coin toss, be in your seat by 4:20.
Breaking Down the Matchups
Honestly, the Broncos being the top seed feels a bit surreal for some fans, but they earned it. They finished the season 14-3. They aren't just winning; they're suffocating people.
The Bills, on the other hand, are the #6 seed. They just took down the Jaguars 27-24 last week in a game that probably gave Buffalo fans three different heart attacks. They have momentum, but they’re playing on a short week in the thin air of Mile High.
Then you have the 49ers and Seahawks. The 49ers barely escaped the Eagles last week with a 23-19 win. Seattle, as the #1 seed in the NFC, has been waiting in the weeds.
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- Weather Factor: It’s mid-January. In Denver, it’s going to be cold. In Seattle, it’s probably going to be misty or outright pouring.
- The Spread: Vegas has Denver as a slim 1.5-point favorite. That’s basically a toss-up.
- Injury Report: Keep an eye on the active/inactive lists that drop about 90 minutes before the 4:30 p.m. kickoff.
How to Stream if You Don't Have Cable
If you’re wondering what time does the football game start today because you're trying to figure out when to start a free trial of a streaming service, here's the deal.
You don't need a $100 cable package.
For the Bills-Broncos game, Paramount+ is your cheapest bet. It’s a few bucks a month and carries the local CBS feed.
For the 49ers-Seahawks, FOX is a bit trickier because they don't have a standalone "FOX+" style subscription like Paramount. You’ll need something like Fubo, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV. Or, if you’re old school, a $20 digital antenna from the store will pick up both of today’s games in HD for free.
What About College Football?
I've seen a lot of people asking about the "National Championship" today.
Stop.
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It’s not today. The 12-team playoff format has pushed the final game later into January. The Indiana Hoosiers (yes, really) and the Miami Hurricanes don't play until Monday, January 19. That game will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Today is strictly an NFL Saturday.
Watching Strategy and Survival
If you’re planning on watching both, you’re looking at about seven straight hours of football.
- Hydrate early. Seriously.
- The 4:30 p.m. ET game ends around 7:45 p.m. ET.
- The 8:00 p.m. ET game likely won't wrap up until nearly 11:30 p.m. ET.
It's a marathon, not a sprint.
Actionable Next Steps
Check your local listings to ensure your provider hasn't had a "carriage dispute" with CBS or FOX—this happens more than you'd think. If you see a "This channel is currently unavailable" blue screen, you'll need to pivot to a streaming app immediately.
Download the NFL App or Yahoo Sports App on your phone as a backup. They often stream local and primetime games for free on mobile data, which is a lifesaver if your power goes out or your Wi-Fi dies during a crucial third-down conversion.
Get your food prepped by 4:00 p.m. ET so you aren't in the kitchen when the Bills and Broncos take the field.