If you’ve been looking for the pro football today schedule, you probably already know we aren’t in the regular season doldrums anymore. It’s the Divisional Round. This is arguably the best weekend of the entire year for a football fan because the pretenders are gone, but we still have four games of absolute high-stakes chaos.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. We’ve got a double-header that basically spans the entire country, from the thin air in Colorado to the rainy noise of the Pacific Northwest.
The AFC Kickoff: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
First up at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS, the Buffalo Bills travel to Empower Field at Mile High to face the Denver Broncos. This is a fascinating matchup because of the quarterback narrative alone. You have Josh Allen, who is essentially a human highlight reel with a rocket for an arm, going up against Bo Nix and a Sean Payton offense that has been remarkably efficient this year.
Honestly, nobody expected Denver to be the #1 seed at the start of the season. But here they are. They’ve been resting, waiting for the winner of the Wild Card round, while Buffalo had to sweat out a 27-24 win over Jacksonville last week.
- Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: CBS (Streaming on Paramount+)
- The Vibe: High altitude, cold hands, and Josh Allen probably trying to hurdle a linebacker at least twice.
The Broncos are slightly favored (-1.5), which basically means Vegas thinks the home-field advantage is the only thing separating these two. If Allen doesn't turn the ball over, Buffalo can win this. But Bo Nix has been playing like a veteran, and Payton’s play-calling in the red zone has been elite lately.
The Nightcap: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Once the sun goes down, switch over to FOX at 8:00 p.m. ET. We’re getting a classic NFC West rubber match. The San Francisco 49ers are heading into the "Clink" (Lumen Field) to take on the Seattle Seahawks.
This game is personal. Seattle won the division, which is why the game is in Washington, but the 49ers just bruised their way through Philadelphia last week in a 23-19 slugfest. Brock Purdy is 5-2 in the playoffs now. That’s not a fluke.
Seattle, led by Sam Darnold—who has had a career resurgence that literally no one saw coming three years ago—is sitting on a 14-3 record. Darnold is listed as active despite an oblique injury that had everyone in Seattle holding their breath all week. He’s going to need every bit of his mobility because the Niners' defensive front is healthy and hungry.
- Watch the Trenches: If Trent Williams can keep the Seattle pass rush off Purdy, the Niners' skill players like Christian McCaffrey will eventually find a seam.
- The Noise Factor: Seattle fans are notorious. If the Niners' offense gets rattled by the crowd noise and starts taking delay-of-game penalties, it’s going to be a long night for Kyle Shanahan.
- Turnovers: In their last meeting in Week 18, Seattle won 13-3. It was a defensive masterclass. Don't expect a 40-point blowout today.
Why the Pro Football Today Schedule is Unique
What most people get wrong about the Divisional Round is thinking the #1 seeds (Denver and Seattle) are guaranteed a win. History says otherwise. Often, the teams coming off a Wild Card win have more "game speed" rhythm, while the top seeds can sometimes start a bit sluggish after a week off.
👉 See also: Serbia Olympic Basketball Team: Why They’re the Real Best in the World
You've also got to consider the weather. It’s mid-January. It’s going to be chilly in Denver and probably damp in Seattle. These aren't dome games. This is "real" football where a slick ball or a missed footing can change the entire trajectory of a franchise.
How to Watch and Stream
If you’re not near a TV, you aren't out of luck.
The afternoon game on CBS is available via Paramount+.
The evening game on FOX can be streamed through the FOX Sports app or services like Fubo and YouTube TV.
Basically, if you have a screen and an internet connection, you're set.
Looking Ahead to Tomorrow
Don't spend all your energy today. The pro football today schedule is just the first half of the weekend. Tomorrow, January 18, we get the Houston Texans at the New England Patriots (3 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC) followed by the Los Angeles Rams at the Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC).
It’s a rare year where the Patriots and Bears are both hosting playoff games simultaneously, signaling a massive shift in the AFC and NFC power dynamics.
Actionable Tips for Game Day
- Check the Inactives: Usually about 90 minutes before kickoff, teams release their final list of who is actually playing. Keep an eye on Sam Darnold’s oblique; if he starts but looks limited, the Seahawks might have to rely heavily on Kenneth Walker III.
- Set Your DVR: If you’re toggling between dinner plans and the game, remember that these playoff games often run long due to more frequent reviews and longer halftime presentations.
- Monitor the Lines: If you’re into the betting side of things, the spread for the 49ers/Seahawks has stayed around Seattle -6.5. That’s a lot of points for a rivalry game.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting shorter. By the time you go to bed tonight, we’ll know two of the four teams playing in the Conference Championships next weekend.
Prepare your setup now:
Check your streaming logins for Paramount+ and FOX Sports before the 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff. If you're hosting, start the food early—the Bills and Broncos game is notorious for being a fast-paced affair that rarely sees many whistles in the first half.