If you're asking who played today in nfl football, you probably realized that the stakes just hit another level. We aren’t in the regular season anymore. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and that means the Divisional Round of the playoffs is officially in full swing.
The NFL schedule-makers didn't mess around today. They gave us two massive matchups: a heavyweight AFC battle in the thin air of Colorado and a bitter NFC West rivalry game under the lights in Seattle. Honestly, the atmosphere at these stadiums is basically why we watch football in the first place.
The Afternoon Showdown: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
The day kicked off at 4:30 p.m. ET with the (6) Buffalo Bills heading to Empower Field at Mile High to take on the (1) Denver Broncos.
This game is a fascinating contrast in styles. You’ve got Josh Allen, the veteran powerhouse and 2024 MVP, trying to lead his Bills on a "Cinderella" run from the sixth seed. On the other side? Bo Nix. The young Broncos signal-caller has been remarkably efficient this year, leading Denver to a 14-3 record and their first home playoff game since the Peyton Manning era in 2015.
Denver’s defense is the real story here. They allowed a league-low 29 touchdowns during the regular season. Trying to score on them in Denver is sort of like trying to run through a brick wall that also breathes.
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What you need to know about this matchup:
- The Weather: It’s a chilly one in Denver. Temperatures hovered in the mid-30s at kickoff, which usually favors a physical ground game.
- The Stakes: The winner punches their ticket to the AFC Championship game on January 25.
- Injury Bug: Buffalo is playing shorthanded. They’re missing key defensive pieces like linebacker Terrel Bernard and Jordan Poyer. That’s a massive hole to fill when you're facing a Sean Payton-led offense.
The Nightcap: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Once the sun went down, the action shifted to the Pacific Northwest. At 8:00 p.m. ET, the (6) San Francisco 49ers lined up against the (1) Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
If you like "old school" football with a modern twist, this is it. These two teams know each other better than most siblings do. Seattle enters as the top seed in the NFC with a 14-3 record, largely thanks to a resurgence from Sam Darnold and a defense that ranks as the best in the league, allowing only 17.2 points per game.
There was some serious drama leading up to this one. Reports surfaced that Sam Darnold hadn't thrown a ball since Thursday due to an oblique injury. He’s out there, but you have to wonder how much that’s going to limit his deep ball.
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The 49ers' perspective:
San Francisco is coming off a gritty Wild Card win against the Eagles. They aren't your typical sixth seed. With Christian McCaffrey still looking like a human cheat code, they can win any game they play. However, they’re 20th in the league in total yards allowed on defense. That's a scary stat when you're playing in the loudest stadium in the NFL.
Why Today’s Games Matter So Much
The Divisional Round is often called the best weekend of football. Why? Because the "fluke" teams from the Wild Card round are usually gone, and the heavy hitters—the ones who earned that first-round bye—finally get back on the field.
It’s about rest versus rust.
Denver and Seattle have been sitting at home for two weeks. Buffalo and San Francisco have the momentum of a playoff win, but they’re also banged up and tired. Watching how that physical toll manifests in the fourth quarter is where these games are won or lost.
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Looking Ahead to Sunday
The fun doesn't stop today. If you're tracking the bracket, tomorrow (Sunday, January 18) gives us:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC)
Basically, if your team is still alive, your blood pressure is probably through the roof. If you're a neutral observer, you're just enjoying some of the highest-quality football we’ve seen in years.
Your Playoff Cheat Sheet
To keep track of who played today in nfl football and what it means for the road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, keep these points in mind:
- The Winners: The two teams that survive today will play in their respective Conference Championships on Sunday, January 25.
- Home Field Advantage: Notice that both top seeds (Broncos and Seahawks) are playing at home. That’s not a coincidence; the NFL rewards the best regular-season records with the loudest crowds and familiar lockers.
- Where to Watch: If you missed the live action, you can catch highlights on NFL+ or the various network apps (CBS for the AFC, FOX for the NFC).
The road to the Lombardi Trophy is narrowing. Only eight teams started this weekend, and by tomorrow night, we’ll be down to the Final Four.
Make sure your streaming apps are updated and your snacks are ready for tomorrow's slate. If today was any indication, the margin for error in the NFL playoffs has never been thinner. Double-check the injury reports for the Texans and Patriots tonight, as those late-breaking updates usually dictate how the betting lines move before Sunday kickoff.