If you’re scrambling to find your remote because you realized it’s Saturday and the NFL playoffs are in full swing, you aren't alone. Honestly, the Divisional Round is often better than the Super Bowl itself. The stakes are massive, the pretenders are gone, and tonight we’ve got a double-header that essentially splits the country between the AFC and the NFC.
So, let’s get straight to it. The NFL game tonight is actually two games. First up, we have the Buffalo Bills heading into the thin air of Colorado to face the Denver Broncos. That kicks off the afternoon. Then, once the sun goes down, it’s a classic NFC West bloodbath between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks.
What Channel is the NFL Game on Tonight?
You're going to need two different channels if you want to see every snap today, January 17, 2026.
The early window features the Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
If you’re looking for the late-night drama, the San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
It’s a bit of a marathon. You’ve got Josh Allen trying to bulldoze his way through a Denver defense that has looked surprisingly stout lately, followed by Brock Purdy taking on a Seattle team that has basically turned Lumen Field into a house of horrors for visitors this season.
Saturday, Jan. 17 Playoff Schedule
- Game 1: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos | 4:30 p.m. ET | CBS / Paramount+
- Game 2: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks | 8:00 p.m. ET | FOX / FOX One
I should probably mention that if you’re a streaming-only household, you have options. For the CBS game, Paramount+ is your best friend. For the FOX game, you’ll likely be using the FOX Sports app or their new FOX One service. Of course, the "big" live TV streamers like YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV carry both, so you’re set there as long as your subscription is active.
Why the Bills vs. Broncos Matchup is Weirdly Compelling
On paper, people might have expected the Bills to be here, but Denver? Bo Nix has been playing with a level of confidence that has caught a lot of analysts off guard. This isn't the Denver team from three years ago.
Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are on the call for this one. Love him or hate him, Romo usually spots the blitz before the quarterback does, which is helpful because Buffalo’s defensive front is going to be coming for Nix all afternoon.
Buffalo is coming off a Wild Card win against Jacksonville, while Denver had the luxury of a week off. That "rest vs. rust" debate is going to be the lead story for the first quarter, guaranteed. If Allen starts throwing picks early, the altitude isn't the only thing that’s going to make Buffalo fans feel lightheaded.
The Nightcap: 49ers and Seahawks Rivalry
This is the one everyone is talking about. The 49ers narrowly escaped the Philadelphia Eagles last week in a game that probably took five years off Kyle Shanahan’s life. Now they have to go to Seattle.
The Seahawks locked up the No. 1 seed and that first-round bye, so they are fresh. Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady will be in the booth for FOX. It’s still a little surreal hearing Brady analyze games instead of winning them, but he’s actually gotten pretty good at pointing out the nuances of secondary rotations.
Keep an eye on the injury report. San Francisco is missing some key pieces. Fred Warner and Ji’Ayir Brown are reportedly out, which is a massive blow to a defense trying to stop Kenneth Walker III and Sam Darnold—who, believe it or not, has found a second life in Seattle.
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Viewing Logistics and "The Cord-Cutter's Struggle"
If you don't have cable, don't panic. You can still catch both games.
- Antenna: If you have a $20 digital antenna, you can get CBS and FOX for free over-the-air. It's the highest-quality picture too, since it isn't compressed for a stream.
- NFL+: You can watch on your phone or tablet, but it’s usually restricted to mobile devices for live local and primetime games.
- Paramount+: Specifically for the Bills/Broncos game.
- FOX One: The new home for FOX's sports content if you're avoiding the traditional cable route.
Honestly, the hardest part is usually just making sure your internet doesn't lag right as someone is crossing the goal line.
Looking Ahead to Sunday
Once tonight's games wrap up, the bracket will be halfway set for the Conference Championships. Tomorrow, Sunday, Jan. 18, we get the Houston Texans vs. the New England Patriots (3 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN) and then the Los Angeles Rams vs. the Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC).
It’s a massive weekend for the league. By the time Monday morning rolls around, only four teams will be left standing in the hunt for Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
Your immediate next step: Double-check your login for Paramount+ or ensure your antenna is positioned correctly before the 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff in Denver. If you’re hosting a watch party, the Bills-Broncos game is the "appetizer" window, so have the wings ready by 4:00 p.m. to catch the pre-game analysis from the CBS crew.