Man, if you missed the action yesterday, you missed a total rollercoaster. Honestly, playoff football in January is just different, and last night's games were the perfect example of why we stay glued to the couch. We had a heart-stopping overtime thriller in the thin air of Denver and a complete blowout up in the Pacific Northwest that probably had 49ers fans turning off their TVs by the third quarter.
If you’re just waking up and wondering what was the score last night nfl game, here is the quick breakdown of the Divisional Round results from Saturday, January 17, 2026:
- Denver Broncos 33, Buffalo Bills 30 (Overtime)
- Seattle Seahawks 41, San Francisco 49ers 6
Two games. Two completely different vibes. Let's get into the weeds of how these games actually went down because the scores alone don't tell the whole story.
The Heartbreaker in the Highlands: Denver vs. Buffalo
The early game was easily the game of the year so far. The top-seeded Denver Broncos hosted Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field at Mile High. This game had everything: lead changes, costly turnovers, and a finish that felt like a movie.
The final score was Denver 33, Buffalo 30.
It took an extra period to decide this one. Wil Lutz, who has been money all season, drilled a 23-yard field goal in overtime to send the Broncos to the AFC Championship. But the real story? It might be the cost of that victory. Reports coming out of Denver are pretty somber because Bo Nix, the second-year quarterback who has been a revelation for Sean Payton, broke his right ankle just a few plays before that winning kick.
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Josh Allen's Rollercoaster Afternoon
Josh Allen is a wizard, but even wizards have bad days. He threw for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns, but the five turnovers—two interceptions and two lost fumbles—were just too much to overcome. Buffalo didn't punt a single time. Think about that. They moved the ball at will but kept shooting themselves in the foot.
At one point, the Bills fought back from a 23-10 deficit to take a 24-23 lead in the fourth. It felt like "Buffalo Magic" was happening. Then Bo Nix hit Marvin Mims Jr. for a 26-yard score with under a minute left. Buffalo somehow forced overtime with a 50-yard field goal from Matt Prater after a wild lateral play from Khalil Shakir to Ray Davis.
In the end, a Ja'Quan McMillian interception in overtime set Denver up for the win.
Seattle’s "Dark Side" Defense Destroys San Francisco
While the Denver game was a nail-biter, the nightcap in Seattle was a slaughter. The Seattle Seahawks hosted their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, and it wasn't even competitive.
The final score: Seattle 41, San Francisco 6.
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It started with a bang. Rashid Shaheed took the opening kickoff 95 yards to the house. 13 seconds in, and the 12th Man was already losing their minds. From there, Kenneth Walker III just took over. He finished with 116 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Why the 49ers Collapsed
San Francisco looked like a shell of themselves. Brock Purdy struggled against Mike Macdonald’s "Dark Side" defense, throwing an interception and losing a fumble. It didn't help that they were missing George Kittle, who was out with that brutal Achilles injury from the previous week.
Sam Darnold, of all people, looked composed and efficient. He got his first career playoff win, and he did it with a stat line that was clean and effective. Seattle is now 15-3 and looks like a freight train heading toward the Super Bowl.
What This Means for the Bracket
So, the Saturday results have locked in half of the Conference Championship picture.
Denver is moving on to the AFC Championship, but they’ll likely be doing it with Jarrett Stidham under center instead of Bo Nix. They’ll face either the New England Patriots or the Houston Texans. If you’re a Denver fan, you’re celebrating the win but holding your breath for the surgery news on Tuesday.
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In the NFC, the road to the Super Bowl officially goes through Lumen Field. Seattle is hosting the winner of the Rams vs. Bears game. Given how they just dismantled a very good Niners team, nobody is going to want to play in that stadium next Sunday.
Key Takeaways for Your Bracket
- The Home Field Advantage is Real: Both top seeds (Denver and Seattle) held serve on Saturday.
- Turnovers are Killers: Buffalo’s five giveaways were the literal difference between a win and a loss.
- Injury Watch: Bo Nix's ankle is the biggest storyline in the NFL right now. How does Sean Payton adjust a high-flying offense for a backup QB in the biggest game of the year?
If you're looking to place bets or just stay informed for the office water cooler talk, keep an eye on the injury reports for the remaining teams. The Bills' season is over, and once again, Josh Allen is left wondering "what if." Meanwhile, the Seahawks are the betting favorites to represent the NFC in the big game.
Next Steps for NFL Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the rest of the Divisional Round:
- Check the status of the Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots game happening later today to see who Denver faces.
- Watch the Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears matchup to find out who travels to Seattle next weekend.
- Monitor the Broncos' official injury updates regarding Bo Nix to see the spread movement for the AFC Championship game.