You’ve checked the calendar. It's Tuesday, January 13, 2026. You’re probably scanning the guide or refreshing your feed to see what time is the broncos game today, but there’s a bit of a twist that might leave you hanging if you’re looking for a kickoff in the next few hours.
There is no Denver Broncos game today.
Seriously.
If you’re a die-hard member of Broncos Country, you actually have a few more days to wait. The NFL just finalized the Divisional Round schedule late last night after the Houston Texans took care of business against the Steelers. Because Denver secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a stellar 14-3 regular season record, they earned a first-round bye. While other teams were bruising each other in the Wild Card round, Sean Payton’s squad was resting up and watching from the couch.
The Real Kickoff Time You’re Looking For
The Broncos will host the Buffalo Bills this coming Saturday, January 17, 2026.
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The league officially announced the kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. MT (that's 4:30 p.m. ET for those of you following from the coast). The game is happening at Empower Field at Mile High. If you aren't lucky enough to have tickets to what will likely be a freezing afternoon in Denver, you can catch the broadcast on CBS. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are scheduled to be on the call, which usually means it's the "game of the week" in the eyes of the network.
Wait. Why the confusion about today?
It happens every year during the playoffs. People see the "Wild Card Monday" game end, and they assume the next round starts immediately. Or, they might be seeing news alerts about the team. Just this morning, at 5:37 a.m. MST, local outlets like 9NEWS started blasting the official time for Saturday's game. If you saw a notification that said "NFL Announces Broncos Kickoff Time," it’s easy to misread that as "The game is starting soon."
Breaking Down the Saturday Matchup
This isn't just any game. It's a massive rematch. Last year, the Bills absolutely dismantled the Broncos in the Wild Card round, a 31-7 blowout that left a bitter taste in Denver.
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Josh Allen is coming into this game a bit "banged up," according to recent reports. He took some hits during Buffalo's win over Jacksonville on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Broncos are coming off 13 days of pure rest. That's a huge edge. Bo Nix has been playing like a veteran lately, and with the home-field advantage of the thin Denver air, the vibes are high.
Interestingly, despite being the No. 1 seed, the Broncos opened as 1.5-point underdogs at some sportsbooks. Vegas seems to love the Bills' momentum, but they might be discounting how much the travel and short week will affect Buffalo.
Watching the Game: Your Options
If you’re trying to figure out what time is the broncos game today because you need to plan your viewing party for the weekend, here is the technical breakdown:
- Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. MT / 4:30 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+ (you’ll need the essential plan at minimum)
- Radio: 850 KOA in the Denver market
For the cord-cutters, remember that NFL+ usually carries the local broadcast on mobile devices, but for a playoff game of this magnitude, Paramount+ is your safest bet for a stable stream.
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What Happens If They Win?
The path to the Super Bowl goes through Denver this year. If the Broncos beat the Bills on Saturday, they stay right where they are. They would host the AFC Championship game on Sunday, January 25, 2026, against either the Houston Texans or the New England Patriots.
That game is already penciled in for a 1:00 p.m. MT kickoff if Denver advances.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Bills are dangerous, even if Josh Allen is playing with a taped-up hand. The Broncos' defense, led by Patrick Surtain II, has to stay disciplined. They can't afford the slow starts that plagued them early in the season.
Honestly, the best thing you can do today is double-check your jersey is clean and maybe stock up on the wings early. Saturday is going to be hectic.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Weather: Saturday in Denver is currently forecasted for clear skies, but keep an eye on the wind chill; it drastically changes how the ball travels at Mile High.
- Update Your Apps: If you're streaming on Paramount+, make sure the app is updated today so you don't run into "update loops" ten minutes before kickoff on Saturday.
- Sync Your Calendar: Set an alert for 2:00 p.m. MT on Saturday to catch the pre-game analysis and ensure your local CBS affiliate is coming in clear.