So, you're looking for the kickoff time for the Denver Broncos today, Friday, January 16, 2026. Here is the short answer: The Broncos do not play today.
I know, it's a bit of a tease. But don't close this tab just yet. While there isn't a game on this specific Friday, the Broncos are smack in the middle of a massive postseason run. They actually take the field tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, 2026, for the AFC Divisional Round.
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If you're planning your watch party, you’ll want to be ready by 4:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. MT). They are hosting the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field at Mile High. It is going to be a cold one in Denver, but that’s exactly how Sean Payton likes it.
Why Everyone is Asking What Time Do the Broncos Play Today
It’s easy to get mixed up. With the NFL expanding its playoff schedule and moving games around for TV windows, "today" often feels like it should be a game day. Usually, the Divisional Round is split across Saturday and Sunday. Since the Broncos secured the #1 seed in the AFC after a stellar 14-3 regular season, they earned a first-round bye. That means they’ve had an extra week to rest while the Bills were out there grinding out a 27-24 win over the Jaguars last weekend.
Honestly, the hype in Colorado is at an all-time high. This 2025-2026 season has been something of a fever dream for Broncos Country.
The Matchup Details for Saturday
If you are trying to sync your clock, here is the breakdown for the actual game time:
- Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. MT / 1:30 p.m. PT
- Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
- Broadcast: CBS and streaming on Paramount+
There’s a bit of a revenge narrative happening here too. Last year, the Bills absolutely dismantled the Broncos in a 31-7 wild-card blowout. This year, the roles are reversed. Denver has the home-field advantage and a defense that has been statistically terrifying.
What to Expect from the Denver Defense
If you haven't been following every single snap this season, you've missed out on a masterclass. The Broncos' defense ranked third-best in the league, allowing only about 18 points per game.
Nik Bonitto has turned into a legitimate superstar. He put up 14 sacks this season. Think about that for a second. That's consistent, game-wrecking pressure. If he can get into Josh Allen's face early, it changes the entire geometry of the Bills' offense.
But it’s not just the pass rush. The secondary, led by Pat Surtain II, has been forcing quarterbacks to hold the ball just a split second longer than they want to. In a playoff game, that split second is the difference between a touchdown and a sack-fury.
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The Injury Situation Heading into the Weekend
Since there's no game today, the most important thing to track is the injury report.
Denver is looking relatively healthy, which is a miracle for mid-January. Drew Sanders (LB) and Lucas Krull (TE) have been limited in practice with ankle and foot issues, respectively, but the word around Dove Valley is that they should be good to go.
Buffalo is a different story. They have about 15 players on their report. Most notably, they are going to be without Maxwell Hairston and Jordan Poyer in the secondary. For a Broncos offense that has become surprisingly efficient under Sean Payton’s play-calling, that is a massive weakness to exploit.
Breaking Down the AFC Playoff Picture
While we wait for tomorrow's kickoff, here is how the rest of the AFC is looking.
- Denver Broncos (#1 seed): Hosting Buffalo on Saturday.
- New England Patriots (#2 seed): Hosting the Houston Texans on Sunday.
- The "Underdog" Bills: They are the #6 seed and are basically playing with house money at this point.
If the Broncos win tomorrow, they will host the AFC Championship game right back in Denver on Sunday, January 25. That would be against the winner of the Patriots/Texans game.
How to Prepare for the Game
Since you aren't watching the game "today," you’ve got roughly 24 hours to get your setup right.
If you are heading to Mile High, tickets are currently hovering around $490 on the secondary market. It's expensive, but for the first home playoff game in years, people are paying it. If you're staying home, make sure your Paramount+ login actually works. There's nothing worse than missing the opening kickoff because of a password reset loop.
Basically, the Broncos are the favorites here. The spread is currently sitting at Broncos -1.5. It's a tight margin, reflecting just how dangerous Josh Allen can be when he’s "on," but Denver’s consistency this year makes them the smart bet.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Weather: Denver is notoriously unpredictable. If you're attending, dress in layers. Current forecasts suggest temperatures in the low 30s at kickoff.
- Sync Your Calendar: Set an alert for 2:15 p.m. MT tomorrow so you don't miss the pre-game analysis on CBS.
- Monitor the Final Injury Report: Keep an eye out late tonight for the official "Active/Inactive" designations for the Bills' secondary; if Poyer is officially out, expect the Broncos to take more deep shots.