If you woke up today with that specific itch that only postseason football can scratch, you're in the right place. It is Saturday, January 17, 2026, and we are officially into the meat of the NFL Divisional Round. This is arguably the best weekend of the entire year for sports fans—better than the Super Bowl, some might say, because the quality of play is high and the games are back-to-back.
But it isn't just about the NFL today. If you're an early riser or a "football is life" (the soccer kind) person, the Premier League has a massive slate that started while most of the U.S. was still asleep.
So, let's get into the specifics of what time is football today on tv so you don't miss a single kickoff or kickoff-return touchdown.
NFL Playoff Schedule: The Heavy Hitters
We have two massive games today. No more Wild Card fluff. These are the elite teams fighting for a spot in the Championship games next week.
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS / Paramount+
This is a wild one. Josh Allen and the Bills are heading into the thin air of Empower Field at Mile High to take on Bo Nix and the top-seeded Denver Broncos. Honestly, nobody expected the Broncos to be the #1 seed this year, but here we are. The atmosphere in Denver is going to be electric. If you aren't near a TV, you can stream this one on Paramount+, but for the traditionalists, it’s CBS all the way.
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San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX / FOX One
The nightcap is a pure NFC West grudge match. There is no love lost here. Brock Purdy and the 49ers are traveling to Seattle to face the Seahawks in what is basically a literal "loudest stadium" contest. These teams know each other's playbooks inside and out. It’s going to be physical, likely a bit rainy, and 100% worth staying up for. You can catch this on FOX, or stream it via the FOX Sports app.
What About College Football Today?
I’ve seen a lot of people asking about the college schedule today. Here is the deal: there are no college football games today. We are currently in that weird limbo between the semifinals and the National Championship. If you’re looking for the big finale, you’ll have to wait until Monday, January 19. That’s when the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes will battle it out for all the glory at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Today is purely for the pros.
Premier League: The Morning Madness
If you are reading this on Saturday morning, you might already be late for some of the biggest soccer matches of the month. The English Premier League went all out today.
The Manchester Derby Manchester United hosted Manchester City at 7:30 a.m. ET on USA Network. If you missed it, check your DVR immediately—derbies in January are always a mess in the best way possible.
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The 10:00 a.m. ET Slate There was a massive block of games at 10 a.m. today:
- Liverpool vs. Burnley: (USA Network)
- Chelsea vs. Brentford: (Peacock)
- Tottenham vs. West Ham: (Peacock)
The Late Show * Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal: 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. This is the perfect lead-in to the NFL pre-game shows. Arsenal is fighting to stay at the top of the table, and Forest is notoriously difficult to play at home.
Breaking Down the "Where to Watch" Confusion
Look, I get it. Finding a game in 2026 is harder than it used to be. You used to just turn on the TV and flip. Now you need a spreadsheet.
For the NFL games today, it’s pretty straightforward. If you have an antenna, you’re golden for both CBS and FOX. If you’ve cut the cord, you’ll need Paramount+ for the Bills/Broncos game. For the 49ers/Seahawks, the FOX Sports app or a service like Fubo or YouTube TV is your best bet.
For the soccer fans, Peacock is basically mandatory these days. Most of the 10:00 a.m. matches are exclusive to the app, though USA Network still carries the "main" broadcast for cable subscribers.
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Pro-Tip for NFL Viewers
If you’re planning to watch the Bills vs. Broncos, remember that Denver is in the Mountain Time Zone. The local kickoff is 2:30 p.m., but for everyone else, the 4:30 p.m. ET start is the one to circle. Don't let the time zone math trip you up and cause you to miss the opening drive.
What to Watch Tomorrow
Since you’re already planning your weekend, here is a quick look at Sunday, January 18:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:00 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
- L.A. Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Basically, clear your schedule. Between the divisional matchups today and the high-stakes games tomorrow, it’s a total football takeover.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your local listings for any regional blackouts, though for NFL playoff games, these are rarely an issue on national networks.
- Download the Peacock and Paramount+ apps now if you plan on streaming, so you aren't stuck waiting for an update three minutes before kickoff.
- Set your DVR for the 12:30 p.m. Arsenal game if you want to bridge the gap between your morning coffee and the 4:30 p.m. NFL kickoff.