If you’re a member of Bills Mafia, you probably haven't slept much since Sunday. Watching Josh Allen lower his shoulder and barrel into the end zone for that game-winning 1-yard touchdown run against Jacksonville was peak Buffalo football. Stressful? Yes. Absolutely exhausting? You bet. But the Bills survived the Wild Card round with a 27-24 victory, and now everyone is asking the same exact thing: when do the Buffalo Bills play next?
Honestly, there is no time to celebrate. The playoff machine moves fast. Because the New England Patriots handled their business against the Chargers, the bracket is locked. Buffalo is officially the lowest remaining seed in the AFC. That means a trip to the mountains is on the horizon.
Buffalo Bills Next Game: Date, Time, and TV Channel
The Buffalo Bills will play the Denver Broncos on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. local time in Denver). You can catch the game on CBS, or if you’ve cut the cord, it’ll be streaming live on Paramount+.
The game is happening at Empower Field at Mile High. If you’re thinking about heading out there, bring your heavy coat and maybe some oxygen. Denver is coming off a first-round bye, so they’ve been sitting at home, resting, while Buffalo was out there getting bruised and battered in Jacksonville.
Quick Game Facts
- Opponent: Denver Broncos (No. 1 Seed)
- Round: AFC Divisional Round
- Date: Saturday, Jan 17
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Denver, CO
- Network: CBS / Paramount+
Why This Saturday Matchup is a Huge Deal
Buffalo basically has a "short week" to get ready. Playing on a Saturday after a physical Sunday game is a tough break. Josh Allen looked a little banged up toward the end of the Jaguars game—he took some massive hits. Reports out of the locker room say he’s fine, but at this point in January, "fine" is a relative term.
The Broncos aren't the same team the Bills blew out in the Wild Card round last year. Denver’s defense has been a nightmare for quarterbacks all season. They clinched the top seed for a reason. They have a vaunted secondary and a pass rush that doesn't quit.
Also, it's worth noting that the Bills' hopes of hosting a game at Highmark Stadium are officially dead. Since New England won, they remain the higher seed. If Buffalo wins this weekend, they’ll still be on the road for the AFC Championship.
The Road Ahead: If the Bills Win
Let's say Buffalo pulls off the upset in the thin air of Denver. What happens then?
The winner of the Bills-Broncos game will move on to the AFC Championship on Sunday, January 25, 2026. They would face the winner of the other Divisional matchup: the Houston Texans versus the New England Patriots.
If the Bills advance, they would travel to either Foxborough or Houston. There is no scenario left where the path to the Super Bowl goes through Western New York. It’s a "road warrior" season now.
The 2026 Playoff Bracket at a Glance
- Divisional Round: Jan 17-18
- Conference Championships: Jan 25
- Super Bowl LX: Feb 8 (Santa Clara, CA)
Breaking Down the Injury Concerns
You can't talk about the next game without mentioning Tre'Davious White. Seeing him back in a Bills uniform and making that game-clinching interception against Jacksonville was a "get the tissues" kind of moment. He’s going to be vital against Denver’s wideouts.
👉 See also: Shabab Al Ahli Dubai FC: The Superclub That Changed Everything
However, the Bills' offensive line looked a bit leaky on Sunday. They’ll need to tighten that up significantly. If Josh Allen is running for his life in the Denver altitude, the fourth quarter is going to feel like a marathon.
What You Should Do Now
If you're planning on watching, make sure your Paramount+ login actually works before 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Nothing ruins a playoff run like a "forgot password" loop right at kickoff.
Check the local weather for Denver as the week progresses. Currently, it's looking cold but clear, which usually favors a high-octane offense, but the wind at Mile High can be tricky for kickers. Tyler Bass will need to be dialed in.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your CBS/Paramount+ access by Friday night to avoid streaming glitches.
- Monitor the Friday injury report specifically for Josh Allen’s shoulder and the status of the starting guards.
- Prepare for a Saturday afternoon kickoff—remember, this isn't a typical Sunday 1:00 p.m. start.
The Bills have a long history of heartbreaks and heroics. This Saturday is just the next chapter. Grab your wings, put on your lucky jersey, and hope the "Mafia" travels well to Colorado.