Honestly, if you missed the games yesterday, you missed one of the most chaotic stretches of football we've seen in years. We aren't just talking about a couple of close scores here. We’re talking about massive divisional rivalries, overtime heartbreaks, and a blowout that left a lot of people in San Francisco wondering what on earth just happened. If you’re looking for who won the football games during the Divisional Round on Saturday, January 17, 2026, the short answer is the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks. But man, the way they got there was anything but simple.
The day started in the thin air of Colorado and ended with a rainy beatdown in the Pacific Northwest. Between Bo Nix finding his playoff legs and the Seahawks defense looking like a brick wall, the AFC and NFC Championship pictures just got a whole lot clearer—and a whole lot weirder.
The Denver Broncos Outlast Buffalo in an OT Thriller
This was the game of the day. Period. The Buffalo Bills headed into Denver as the No. 6 seed, looking to continue their Cinderella run after knocking off Jacksonville last week. For a while, it looked like Josh Allen might actually pull it off. But the Broncos, the AFC's top seed, reminded everyone why they earned that bye week.
Final score: Denver Broncos 33, Buffalo Bills 30.
It went to overtime, because of course it did. The Bills actually looked dead in the water late in the fourth quarter when Bo Nix hit Marvin Mims Jr. for a 26-yard touchdown with only 55 seconds left. Denver fans were already celebrating. Then Josh Allen happened. He orchestrated a ridiculous drive that included a 24-yard hook-and-lateral play. Khalil Shakir tossed it to Ray Davis, putting them in range for a 50-yard Matt Prater field goal.
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Why the Bills are Screaming About the Referees
You've probably seen the clips on social media by now. In overtime, things got messy. Josh Allen threw a pick to Ja'Quan McMillian, which basically handed the keys to Denver. But the real controversy? Two massive defensive pass interference calls against Buffalo.
Taron Johnson got flagged for 17 yards. Then Tre'Davious White got hit with a 30-yarder that moved the ball all the way to the 8-yard line. Wil Lutz eventually kicked a 23-yard field goal to seal the 33-30 win. Bills fans are absolutely livid, but Denver is moving on to their first AFC Championship game since the Peyton Manning era in 2015.
The bittersweet part? Bo Nix reportedly suffered a broken ankle late in the game. He finished with 279 yards and three touchdowns, but it looks like Jarrett Stidham might be the guy under center for the title game. That is a massive blow for a team that has won 12 one-score games this season.
Seattle Seahawks Crush the 49ers in a Statement Win
If the Denver game was a heart-stopper, the nightcap in Seattle was a one-sided funeral. The San Francisco 49ers usually give the Seahawks a run for their money, but last night was different.
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Seattle Seahawks 41, San Francisco 49ers 6. It started fast. Like, 13-seconds-in fast. Rashid Shaheed took the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. From that point on, the 49ers looked like they forgot how to play football. The 12th Man was deafening, and the Seahawks defense responded by forcing three turnovers.
- Kenneth Walker III was a human highlight reel, rushing for 116 yards and three scores.
- The 49ers offense didn't score a single point in the first 19 minutes of the game.
- Seattle led 17-0 before most people had even settled into their seats with their snacks.
Seattle is now the team to beat in the NFC. They'll host the winner of the Bears-Rams game at Lumen Field. Honestly, the way they played yesterday, it’s hard to imagine anyone going into that stadium and coming out with a win.
Quick Look at Other Scores and Results
While the NFL was the main event, Saturday was a massive day for global football (soccer) as well. If you were keeping an eye on the Premier League or other European giants, here is a quick rundown of who won the football games on the pitch:
- Manchester United 2, Manchester City 0: A massive upset in the Manchester Derby. United actually looked organized for once.
- Real Madrid 2, Levante 0: Business as usual for Los Blancos.
- Inter Milan 1, Udinese 0: A gritty win in Serie A to keep Inter near the top.
- Chelsea 1, Brentford 0: A narrow escape for the Blues.
In the English Championship, Coventry beat Leicester 2-1, and Ipswich took care of Blackburn with a 3-0 shutout. It was a rough day for underdogs in the UK, but a great day for the traditional powerhouses.
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What Happens Next?
So, who won the football games wasn't just about the scores—it was about setting the stage for a massive Sunday and a historic Monday.
If you're a college football fan, you’re probably waiting for the big one. The College Football Playoff National Championship is set for Monday night, January 19, 2026. It’s No. 1 Indiana versus No. 10 Miami. Yes, you read that right. Indiana is the top seed and looking for their first-ever national title after demolishing Alabama and Oregon in the earlier rounds. Miami, led by Carson Beck, is trying to cap off a 100th-anniversary season with a trophy.
For the NFL, the Divisional Round continues today. We’ve got the Houston Texans heading to New England to face the Patriots, and the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Chicago Bears. The winners of those games will fill out the bracket for the Conference Championships next Sunday.
If you’re following the betting lines, keep an eye on Denver. Even though they won, the loss of Bo Nix has shifted their Super Bowl odds significantly. They went from a +325 favorite to around +1000 at most books. That’s a huge swing for a team that just won a playoff game.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Injury Reports: If you're tracking the Broncos, the news on Bo Nix is everything. Jarrett Stidham has experience, but he's not the dual-threat playmaker Nix has been.
- Home Field Advantage: Seattle showed why the No. 1 seed matters. If they play the NFC Championship at home, they are almost certainly going to the Super Bowl.
- Monday Night Prep: For the CFP Championship, keep an eye on the weather in Miami Gardens. While it's a home-state game for the Hurricanes, Indiana has proven they can play in any environment.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow. After yesterday, two more teams are packing their lockers, and two more are just one win away from the biggest stage in sports.