If you're waking up today, January 17, 2026, and the first thing you did was reach for your phone to check the playoff bracket, you aren't alone. We are officially in the heart of the NFL Divisional Round. This is arguably the best weekend of the entire year for football fans—better than the Super Bowl in some ways because we get a double-header of high-stakes, "win or go home" drama.
The air is cold in Denver and Seattle. The matchups are set.
Basically, the NFL has split the weekend into two distinct windows for today. If you are looking for the quick answer to when does the football game start today, you have two kickoff times to circle on your calendar: 4:30 p.m. ET and 8:10 p.m. ET.
The AFC Kickoff: Bills at Broncos
First up, we have a rematch that folks in Colorado have been waiting for since last season. The Buffalo Bills travel to Empower Field at Mile High to take on the top-seeded Denver Broncos.
👉 See also: The Real England Under 21 Fixtures Situation: Who the Young Lions Face Next
Kickoff for Bills vs. Broncos is at 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. local time in Denver). Josh Allen is coming off a monster performance against the Jaguars, but Bo Nix and the Broncos have been a different beast at home this year. Honestly, the way Denver’s defense has tightened up in one-score games is the only reason they secured that No. 1 seed. Last year, the Bills embarrassed them, but this is a fresh start in the thin air. You can catch this one on CBS, or if you've cut the cord, it’s streaming live on Paramount+.
Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will be on the call.
Expect a lot of talk about "playoff weather," even if it’s relatively clear. In Denver, the ball just travels differently.
The NFC Nightcap: 49ers at Seahawks
Once the sun goes down, the action shifts to the Pacific Northwest. This is a classic divisional rivalry with much higher stakes than their usual regular-season brawls.
When does the football game start today for the NFC? The 49ers vs. Seahawks game kicks off at 8:10 p.m. ET (5:10 p.m. PT).
The Seattle crowd at Lumen Field is notoriously loud, and after the Seahawks grabbed the No. 1 seed, they’ve earned the right to make life miserable for Brock Purdy and the Niners. San Francisco had to fight through a grueling Wild Card game against the Eagles just to get here, so fatigue might be a factor.
FOX is the home for this game. Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt are the lead broadcast team, and they’ll likely be breaking down every nuance of Purdy’s decision-making under that Seattle pressure. If you are streaming, Fubo or the FOX Sports app are your best bets.
What About College Football?
You might be wondering about the college kids. Usually, Saturday is their domain, but because we are so deep into January, the schedule has shifted.
There are no college football games today.
We are currently in the gap between the Semifinals and the Big One. The College Football Playoff National Championship between Indiana and Miami is scheduled for Monday night, January 19. If you see "College Football" on your TV guide today, it’s almost certainly "Path to the Playoff" specials or media day coverage. Don't let the listings confuse you; the real action today is strictly professional.
Where to Stream and How to Watch
If you're stuck at a kid's birthday party or working the late shift, you've got options. For the afternoon game, Paramount+ is the easiest "legal" way to stream without a full cable package. For the night game, the FOX Sports app works if you have a provider login.
- Bills @ Broncos: 4:30 PM ET | CBS | Paramount+
- 49ers @ Seahawks: 8:10 PM ET | FOX | FOX Sports App / Fubo
It’s worth noting that "kickoff" usually means the ball is in the air about 5-7 minutes after the hour. If you tune in exactly at 4:30, you’ll probably be watching the national anthem or the coin toss.
Pre-Game Coverage Starts Early
For those who want the full experience, the talking heads start much earlier. CBS kicks off The NFL Today at 3:30 p.m. ET. On the other side, FOX usually starts their pre-game hype train about an hour before their 8:10 p.m. slot.
If you are a betting person, the lines have been moving all week. Most experts are looking at the Broncos defense as the deciding factor in the first game, while the 49ers vs. Seahawks game is sitting near a pick-em in many Vegas circles.
Moving Forward into Tomorrow
Today is just the appetizer. Tomorrow, Sunday, Jan 18, we do it all over again with the Texans vs. Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET and the Rams vs. Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET.
For now, focus on today. Get your wings ready, find the good remote, and make sure your streaming apps are updated. There's nothing worse than a "Required Update" screen when Josh Allen is already taking his first snap.
Check your local listings if you are in a blackout zone or using an antenna, but for 99% of the country, CBS and FOX are where you need to be.
Next Steps for Your Game Day:
- Verify your Paramount+ login now if you plan to stream the Bills game.
- Set your DVR for 8:00 p.m. ET for the Seahawks game to catch the full Tom Brady intro.
- Clear your schedule for Monday night to catch the CFP National Championship at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.