If you’re a Denver fan, your heart rate is probably already spiking. The regular season is in the rearview mirror, and the real "win or go home" tension has officially arrived. Everyone is asking the same question: who does Denver play next week? After securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a dominant 14–3 record—matching a franchise high—the Denver Broncos are preparing to host the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round.
This isn't just another game. It’s a rematch with massive stakes.
The game is set for Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 4:30 PM EST. If you’re planning your weekend around this, make sure you’ve got the TV tuned to CBS or your Paramount+ subscription ready. The Bills just clawed their way past the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 27–24 nail-biter during Wild Card weekend, and now they’re coming to Empower Field at Mile High.
The Buffalo Bills are Coming: Why This Matchup Matters
Honestly, there’s a bit of a revenge narrative brewing here. Last year, the Bills absolutely dismantled Denver in the Wild Card round, winning 31–7. It was ugly. But this is a different Broncos team. Under Sean Payton’s third year of leadership, Denver has been a juggernaut. They didn’t just stumble into the top seed; they earned it by winning a tiebreaker over the New England Patriots and ending a decade-long drought of playoff deep runs.
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While the NFL world focuses on the gridiron, Denver’s basketball fans aren't being left out of the loop. The Denver Nuggets have a busy stretch coming up too. If you’re tracking the local sports scene as a whole, the Nuggets are hosting the Washington Wizards on Saturday, January 17 (the same day as the Broncos game!) and then the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, January 18. It’s basically a local sports holiday in Colorado.
Game Details You Need to Know
- Matchup: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
- Round: AFC Divisional Playoffs
- Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Time: 4:30 PM EST / 2:30 PM MST
- Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
- Broadcast: CBS
Breaking Down the Broncos-Bills Rivalry in 2026
The Bills come in as the No. 6 seed, but don't let that number fool you. They are battle-tested. Josh Allen remains one of the most unpredictable and dangerous threats in the league. However, Denver’s defense has been nothing short of elite this year. Guys like Zach Allen and Patrick Surtain II have been named All-Pros for a reason. They’ve turned Mile High back into a "No Fly Zone," and with the thin air and the home-field advantage of being the top seed, Buffalo has a mountain to climb—literally.
One thing that's kinda wild is how consistent Denver has been at home. They went 8–1 at Empower Field during the regular season. Their only home loss was a late-season stumble against the Jaguars in Week 16, but they bounced back quickly to crush the Chargers 19–3 in the finale.
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Key Factors for the Divisional Round
- The Altitude Factor: Buffalo played a hard-fought game in the humidity of Jacksonville last week. Transitioning to the freezing, thin air of Denver on a short week is a brutal ask.
- Health of the Roster: Denver had the luxury of a first-round bye. While Buffalo was bruising it out with the Jags, the Broncos were resting key starters like Courtland Sutton and Garett Bolles.
- The Sean Payton Effect: This is why Denver brought him in. His play-calling has been significantly more aggressive this year, and the team’s turnover ratio has improved drastically compared to the disaster of two seasons ago.
What about the rest of the Denver sports schedule?
If you’re a multi-sport fan, your calendar is looking pretty crowded. The Nuggets are in the middle of a rigorous January stretch. While the Broncos are fighting for a spot in the AFC Championship, the Nuggets will be at Ball Arena trying to maintain their standing in the Western Conference.
Upcoming Nuggets Games:
- Saturday, Jan 17: vs. Washington Wizards (7:00 PM MST)
- Sunday, Jan 18: vs. Charlotte Hornets (6:00 PM MST)
- Tuesday, Jan 20: vs. Los Angeles Lakers (8:00 PM MST)
It’s going to be a logistical nightmare for fans trying to catch both the Broncos' kickoff and the Nuggets' tip-off on Saturday. If you’re going to be at Mile High, you’ll likely see fans checking their phones for NBA scores during the third quarter.
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Preparing for the Big Game
If you're heading to the stadium, expect temperatures to be brisk. January in Denver is no joke, and kickoff at 2:30 PM local time means the sun will be dropping behind the mountains just as the game reaches its most critical moments in the fourth quarter.
Basically, wear layers.
The winner of this matchup moves on to the AFC Championship on January 25. If Denver wins, they will host either the New England Patriots or the Houston Texans right back at Mile High. The road to the Super Bowl officially runs through Colorado this year.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check Ticket Availability: If you haven't secured a seat, check official NFL Ticket Exchange or verified resellers immediately; prices for the No. 1 seed's first home game are skyrocketing.
- Sync Your Calendars: Double-check your time zones. The 4:30 PM EST start is 2:30 PM for those of us in the Mountain Time Zone.
- Update Your Streaming Apps: If you aren't using cable, ensure your Paramount+ or NFL+ apps are updated and logged in before the pre-game show starts.
- Gear Up: Dig out the orange and blue. With the "No Fly Zone" vibes returning, the stadium energy is expected to be the loudest it has been since the Peyton Manning era.