So, the dust has finally settled on one of the most chaotic Wild Card weekends we’ve seen in years. If you’re still reeling from the Houston Texans absolutely dismantling the Steelers or that New England defensive masterclass against the Chargers, join the club. But there’s no time to sit around. We’re officially moving into the "Elite Eight" territory.
You’re probably here for one simple reason: you need to know when are the nfl games on this weekend so you can plan your life around the couch. Honestly, this weekend is where the pretenders get tossed aside and the real Super Bowl contenders start to sweat. We’ve got the heavy hitters coming off their bye weeks—the Broncos and the Seahawks—and they aren't exactly getting "easy" matchups to welcome them back.
Everything kicks off Saturday, January 17, and runs through Sunday night. We’re talking about four games that will determine the Final Four. Here is the breakdown of what your weekend looks like, including times, channels, and why these matchups actually matter.
Saturday's Doubleheader: High Altitude and Rivalry Heat
Saturday is usually the day for the "new blood" and the "old rivalries," and the NFL didn't disappoint with the scheduling here.
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Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Network: CBS / Paramount+
This is the big one. The Denver Broncos have been sitting at home, resting up after a dominant regular season that earned them the No. 1 seed in the AFC. But their "reward" is a red-hot Buffalo Bills team led by Josh Allen.
Buffalo just scraped past Jacksonville in a 27-24 nail-biter, and they look like a team that has finally found its rhythm at the right time. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are on the call for this one. If you’re a stats nerd, keep an eye on the Bills’ rushing attack—it’s currently ranked number one in the league—going up against Denver’s second-ranked run defense. Something has to give.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Network: FOX / FOX One
If you like "hate-filled" football, this is your game. These two teams know each other way too well. The 49ers survived a physical battle with the Eagles last week, and now they have to head into the "12th Man" noise at Lumen Field.
Seattle hasn't been a No. 1 seed since 2014, so that city is going to be vibrating. It’s also Tom Brady’s turn in the booth alongside Kevin Burkhardt. Watching Brady analyze a Brock Purdy vs. Geno Smith showdown is going to be half the fun. Expect a lot of chirping, some questionable late hits, and probably a very loud halftime show featuring Lil Jon.
Sunday's Slate: Can the Underdogs Hold On?
Sunday moves the action to the East Coast and the Midwest. We’ve got two games where the home teams are massive favorites, but if Wild Card weekend taught us anything, it’s that "favorites" is just a word.
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Houston Texans at New England Patriots
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN / ABC / ESPN+
Most people wrote off the Texans months ago. Then they went and dropped 30 points on Pittsburgh like it was a preseason scrimmage. Now they travel to Foxborough. The Patriots defense under Sean McDermott has been a nightmare for young quarterbacks, and C.J. Stroud is going to have his hands full trying to decipher those blitz packages.
This game will be simulcast across ESPN and ABC, making it the easiest one to find if you’re still using a digital antenna.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Network: NBC / Peacock
The weekend wraps up at Soldier Field. The Bears managed to avoid an upset against Green Bay last week, and now they face a Rams team that just won a 34-31 shootout against Carolina. This is a classic "Offense vs. Defense" matchup. Sean McVay’s creative play-calling is going to be tested by a Chicago weather forecast that is looking typically "Chicago" for mid-January.
Where to stream the games if you've cut the cord
You don’t need a massive cable bill to catch the Divisional Round. Since the games are spread across four different major networks, your best bet is a mix of specific apps or a live TV streamer.
- Paramount+: This is your home for the Bills-Broncos game on CBS.
- Peacock: You’ll need this for the Sunday night Rams-Bears finale on NBC.
- ESPN+: This will carry the Texans-Patriots game.
- NFL+: If you’re okay watching on a phone or tablet, this app carries every single playoff game for a relatively low monthly fee.
Honestly, if you have something like YouTube TV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV, you're basically set for the whole weekend. Just make sure your internet is stable because nobody wants to see the "loading" circle when a game-winning field goal is in the air.
Why this weekend is better than Wild Card
Wild Card weekend is fun because there’s a lot of football, but let's be real: sometimes the matchups are lopsided. The Divisional Round is different. This is when the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds—the teams that actually proved they were the best over 18 weeks—finally take the field.
There’s a different level of tension. The stakes feel heavier. For teams like the Broncos and Seahawks, a loss here would turn a "dream season" into a total failure in the span of three hours. For the Bills or Rams, a win here means they’ve officially crashed the party.
Preparation for the big games
Don't wait until 4:25 p.m. on Saturday to realize your Paramount+ login doesn't work. Check your subscriptions now. If you're heading to a sports bar, get there early. With matchups like 49ers-Seahawks, those tables are going to be gone by noon.
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Next Steps for Your NFL Weekend:
- Verify your streaming access: Log into Peacock and Paramount+ today to ensure your passwords are still active.
- Check the weather: If you're betting or playing fantasy, keep an eye on the wind speeds in Chicago and the potential for snow in Denver; it'll change how Allen and Nix play.
- Set your DVR: If you’re missing a window, set the recording for the ESPN/ABC game now, as that 3 p.m. Sunday slot tends to sneak up on people.
- Sync your schedule: Mark Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET as the official "do not disturb" time for the rest of the weekend.