It happens every January. You’ve survived the holidays, the tree is probably still shedding needles in the corner, and suddenly the realization hits: "Wait, what time does the nfl playoffs start today?" If you’re like me, you probably don’t want to be the one frantically scrolling through Twitter (or X, whatever) five minutes after kickoff because you forgot the East Coast bias in the scheduling.
The 2026 NFL postseason is already in full swing, and honestly, it’s been a bit of a chaotic ride. We've seen heavyweights like the Eagles and Packers get sent packing early, and now we’re staring down a Divisional Round that feels more like a heavyweight boxing match.
The short answer? For the Divisional Round happening right now, the games kick off at 4:30 PM ET on Saturdays and 3:00 PM ET on Sundays. But as any seasoned fan knows, the NFL loves to mess with the windows depending on the round.
The Remaining 2026 Playoff Schedule
If you missed Wild Card weekend, you missed a lot. But the "real" season basically starts now when the #1 seeds—the Denver Broncos in the AFC and the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC—finally get off their couches.
Saturday, January 17 (Divisional Round)
The first game of the day features the Buffalo Bills visiting the Denver Broncos. Kickoff is set for 4:30 PM ET. You can catch this one on CBS or stream it via Paramount+. It's a massive rematch from last year, but this time Bo Nix has the home-field advantage at Mile High.
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Later tonight, we move to the Pacific Northwest. The San Francisco 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 PM ET. This is a classic divisional rivalry moved to the big stage on FOX. Expect it to be loud.
Sunday, January 18 (Divisional Round)
Tomorrow starts a bit earlier. The Houston Texans head to Foxborough to play the New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET on ABC and ESPN. It’s a battle of the young guns versus the established system.
To close out the weekend, the Los Angeles Rams visit the Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET. This one is on NBC (and Peacock). It’s the first home divisional game for Chicago in 15 years, so Soldier Field is going to be absolutely vibrating.
Looking Ahead to Championship Sunday
Once the dust settles this weekend, we move to the final four. Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 25. The NFL usually keeps these times locked in every single year, regardless of who is playing.
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- AFC Championship: 3:00 PM ET on CBS.
- NFC Championship: 6:30 PM ET on FOX.
It’s a long day of football. Plan your snack runs accordingly. If you’re hosting, basically just don't schedule anything between 2 PM and 10 PM.
Super Bowl LX: The Big One
Super Bowl LX is heading to Santa Clara this year. Levi’s Stadium will host the championship on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
The kickoff for the Super Bowl is almost always the same: 6:30 PM ET. Since it’s on the West Coast, that means a 3:30 PM local start. NBC has the broadcast rights this year, which means plenty of Cris Collinsworth and probably a lot of Peacock promos.
Why do the times keep shifting?
The NFL is a TV product first and a sport second. You've probably noticed that Monday Night Wild Card games are now a thing. They started that a few years ago to capture the prime-time audience, and it’s stayed because the ratings are through the roof.
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For the Divisional Round, they stick to the Saturday/Sunday split because they can squeeze four high-value windows into two days. Saturday night games usually get the "prestige" matchup—like 49ers vs. Seahawks—because they know people are home and ready to watch a rivalry.
How to watch if you don't have cable
Honestly, it's getting easier but also more annoying. You need a mix of apps now.
- Paramount+ gets you the CBS games.
- Peacock is essential for the NBC games and the Super Bowl.
- Sling TV or Fubo are the best "all-in-one" bets if you want to catch the FOX and ESPN/ABC broadcasts without a traditional contract.
Pro-Tips for the Postseason
If you’re trying to figure out what time does the nfl playoffs start for your specific timezone, just remember the 3-hour rule. If it's 4:30 PM in New York, it's 1:30 PM in Los Angeles.
Also, watch out for the weather in Denver and Chicago this weekend. Cold weather games tend to run a bit longer because of more rushing plays and frequent clock stoppages. Don't expect the 3:00 PM Sunday game to be over much before 6:15 PM.
Your Immediate Action Plan:
- Sync your calendar: Manually add the 4:30 PM ET (Saturday) and 3:00 PM ET (Sunday) slots for this weekend.
- Check your subs: Make sure your Paramount+ and Peacock logins actually work before the game starts. Nothing kills a vibe like a "forgot password" loop during a kickoff.
- Food Prep: If you're hitting the grocery store, go before noon on Sunday. The aisles are a ghost town once the Texans and Patriots kick off.