So you’re looking to find out who do the Buffalo Bills play Sunday, and honestly, the answer depends entirely on which "Sunday" you’re circling on the calendar. If you are looking at this right now—Saturday, January 17, 2026—you might actually be a day off. The Bills are currently locked into a massive Divisional Round showdown, but it isn’t on Sunday.
They’re playing the Denver Broncos. Today.
I know, the NFL schedule is a total maze sometimes. Usually, we're so used to the "Sunday is for Football" routine that we just assume Josh Allen will be taking snaps while we’re finishing off Sunday brunch. But for the 2026 Divisional Round, the league slotted Buffalo into the Saturday afternoon window. If you're looking for a game tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, you’re going to be watching the Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots or the Rams vs. the Bears. Buffalo fans? Your heart rate should already be spiked because the game against Denver at Empower Field at Mile High is the main event today.
The Bills vs. Broncos Matchup: What’s Happening Now
This isn't just another game. We're talking about a No. 6 seed Bills team that has been playing like a collective of possessed men lately, going into the house of the No. 1 seed Broncos. Denver has been the class of the AFC all year, but Buffalo just knocked off the Jaguars 27-24 in the Wild Card round last week. They have momentum. They have Josh Allen doing "superhero stuff," as Bo Nix recently put it.
The game kicked off at 4:30 PM ET on CBS. If you’re reading this and the sun is still up, get to a TV.
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Why everyone is confused about the Sunday schedule
It's kinda funny how the "Sunday" search persists even when the schedule shifts. The NFL loves a staggered playoff bracket. For this weekend—the weekend of January 17-18, 2026—the league split the Divisional Round right down the middle.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Bills at Broncos (4:30 PM) and 49ers at Seahawks (8:00 PM).
- Sunday, Jan 18: Texans at Patriots (3:00 PM) and Rams at Bears (6:30 PM).
If the Bills win today? Then the answer to "who do the Buffalo Bills play Sunday" becomes much more exciting. They would move on to the AFC Championship game on Sunday, January 25, 2026. That would be against either the Texans or the Patriots.
Breaking Down the 2025-2026 Season Journey
Buffalo’s path to this specific Saturday has been a wild ride. They finished the regular season 12-5. That was good for second in the AFC East, just behind a New England team that seems to have rediscovered its soul.
The Bills started the year on fire, winning their first four games, including a 41-40 heart-stopper against Baltimore in Week 1. Then things got weird. They dropped a few games they probably shouldn't have—like that 24-14 loss to Atlanta in Week 6. But honestly, the way they finished? That’s what matters. They won four of their last five regular-season games, including a 35-8 absolute dismantling of the Jets in Week 18.
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Key Stats to keep in mind
Buffalo enters this playoff game with the 4th highest-scoring offense in the league, averaging 28.3 points per game. Josh Allen has been his usual chaotic-good self, but the real story has been James Cook. The ground game finally feels like it’s taking the pressure off Allen’s shoulders. On the flip side, the defense has been "bend-but-don't-break," ranking 12th in points allowed (21.5 per game).
Looking Ahead: Who do the Bills play in 2026?
Maybe you aren't asking about the playoffs. Maybe you’re one of those planners who is already looking at the 2026 regular season. Well, the schedule-makers have already locked in the opponents for next year. This is a huge deal for Buffalo because 2026 marks the inaugural season at the New Highmark Stadium.
Basically, the era of the old Orchard Park "Ralph" is ending, and the shiny new era begins.
Home Opponents for 2026
Since Buffalo finished second in the AFC East this year, their 2026 schedule is fixed against specific divisions. They’ll play the entire AFC West and the NFC North.
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- The Usual Suspects: Dolphins, Patriots, Jets.
- The Big Guns: Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens are coming to the new stadium.
- The New Challenges: Chargers, Bears, and Lions.
Road Trips for 2026
Pack your bags, because the Bills are going to be frequent flyers next year.
- Denver Broncos (Yep, another trip to Mile High).
- Las Vegas Raiders (The Sin City takeover).
- Green Bay Packers (A late-season Lambeau trip is almost guaranteed to be snowy).
- Minnesota Vikings.
- Houston Texans.
- Los Angeles Rams.
What happens if they win today?
If Buffalo manages to upset the Broncos in Denver today, the "who do the Buffalo Bills play Sunday" question finally gets its Sunday answer. They will advance to the AFC Championship.
That game is scheduled for Sunday, January 25. If the Patriots beat the Texans on Sunday, the Bills will head back to Foxborough for a rubber match that would basically shut down the entire state of New York and most of Massachusetts. If the Texans win, Buffalo might actually host the game if other seeds fall the right way, but as the No. 6 seed, they are likely looking at a "Road Warrior" path all the way to the Super Bowl.
Speaking of the Super Bowl, mark your calendars for February 8, 2026. It’s at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Bills fans have been waiting for this since the 90s. Is this the year?
Actionable Steps for Bills Fans Right Now
Don't get caught looking at the wrong day. Here is exactly what you need to do to stay on top of the Bills' playoff run:
- Check the Saturday Broadcast: If it's still Saturday afternoon, turn on CBS or fire up Paramount+. That’s where the Bills vs. Broncos game is living.
- Sync Your Calendar for Jan 25: If Buffalo wins today, clear your entire schedule for next Sunday. The AFC Championship kickoff is typically at 3:00 PM ET or 6:30 PM ET.
- Track the Injury Report: Keep an eye on Josh Allen’s foot. He’s been listed on the injury report for a few weeks now. While he always plays through it, his mobility in the high altitude of Denver is the biggest X-factor in this game.
- Verify the Network: The NFL loves to jump between CBS, FOX, and NBC for the playoffs. Don't assume the next game will be on the same channel.
The "Bills Mafia" is known for traveling well and breaking tables, but first, you've gotta make sure you're showing up on the right day. Today is about Denver. Next Sunday is about the trophy.