Look, the NFL playoffs are basically a high-stakes puzzle at this point. You used to just turn on the TV, find a channel with a ball on it, and crack a drink. Now? It’s a literal scavenger hunt across four different apps and three different broadcast networks. If you’re frantically searching for where can i watch today's nfl games because the kickoff is in twenty minutes and your screen is blank, I get it. I’ve been there, staring at a "Sign In with Provider" screen while hearing my neighbor cheer through the wall.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. We are officially in the Divisional Round. This is the weekend where the pretenders from the Wild Card round get sent home and the heavy hitters like the Seahawks and Broncos finally show up after their bye week.
The Saturday Slate: Who, When, and Where
There are two massive games today. No triple-headers, just two standalone windows where all eyes are on the AFC and then the NFC.
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Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
This kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET. It’s a CBS game. If you have an antenna, you’re golden. If you’re a cord-cutter, you’re looking at Paramount+ as your primary streaming home for this one. It's a rematch of a wild regular-season battle, and with Bo Nix playing out of his mind lately, Denver is a tough place for Josh Allen to walk into.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
The nightcap starts at 8:00 p.m. ET. This is a Fox broadcast. For the streamers, this is where it gets interesting. You’ll be using the Fox One app (the service Fox launched back in August 2025). This is a pure NFC West rivalry game. It's loud, it's probably going to be rainy, and it's the kind of game that usually ends on a missed field goal or a goal-line stand.
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How to Stream if You Don’t Have Cable
If you’ve dumped the $150-a-month cable bill, you have options, but they require a tiny bit of prep work. Honestly, the easiest way to handle this is through a "Live TV" replacement service.
YouTube TV is still the king here because it carries CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC/ESPN. They usually have a three-week trial, so if you haven’t burned yours yet, today is the day to use it. Fubo is the other big player, especially if you care about 4K.
If you want to go the standalone app route for where can i watch today's nfl games, here is the breakdown:
- Paramount+: You need the "Essential" or "Premium" plan to watch the Bills vs. Broncos game live.
- Fox One: This is Fox’s dedicated streamer. They usually offer a 7-day trial.
- NFL+: This is the NFL's own app. It’s great if you are okay watching on a phone or tablet. If you want to watch on your big-screen TV, NFL+ usually won't let you stream the live local/national games—that’s the catch.
What About the Rest of the Weekend?
Since you're already setting up your apps, you might as well look at tomorrow, Sunday, January 18. The Texans are heading to New England to face the Patriots at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN (stream that on ESPN Unlimited). Then the Rams take on the Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC. For that one, you’ll need Peacock.
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It’s annoying to have five different apps, I know. But if you grab a few trials, you can basically get through the entire Divisional Round for zero dollars if you're diligent about canceling them on Monday morning.
Common Mistakes to Avoid Today
Don't wait until 4:29 p.m. to check your logins. Paramount+ and Fox One are notorious for requiring updates right when the game starts.
Also, ignore those "free" streaming sites that pop up in your social media feeds. They are usually three plays behind, the quality looks like it was filmed with a potato, and your laptop will probably get a digital flu. Stick to the official apps. Most of them have shifted to 1080p or even 4K HDR for the playoffs in 2026, so the picture is actually worth the hassle of the sign-up process.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your antenna: If you have one, scan for channels now to make sure CBS and Fox are coming in clear.
- Download Fox One: Since it's a newer app, make sure it's installed on your Roku or Fire Stick before the 8 p.m. kickoff.
- Verify Paramount+: If you’re watching the afternoon game via streaming, log in now to ensure your subscription hasn't lapsed.
- Plan for Sunday: If you don't have Peacock, check for the annual deal or the Instacart+ bundle which often includes it for free.