Today’s NFL Playoff Schedule and Upcoming College Football Games
The excitement of the NFL playoffs is here, and the divisional round looks set to deliver some wild matchups. Saturday, January 17, 2026, is going to be special for football fans—two must-watch games are on the slate. The Denver Broncos will host the Buffalo Bills, and then, later, there’s an NFC West clash between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.
Meanwhile, college football takes a brief pause. But anticipation is building for the national championship game between Indiana and Miami on Monday, January 19. Here’s a look at the NFL playoff schedule and what fans might expect from these high-stakes games. Buckle up—it’s going to be a ride.
Contents
Divisional Round Showdowns
The divisional round of the NFL playoffs should be a weekend full of intense competition. With two double-headers scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, January 17 and 18, fans can expect a feast of football.
Saturday, January 17
The first game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on CBS. The Denver Broncos host the Buffalo Bills, and it’s shaping up to be a nail-biter. The Broncos, surprisingly, are 1.5-point favorites after opening as underdogs.
This AFC matchup will showcase some serious talent and, honestly, probably a few gutsy play calls. Both teams are fighting for a spot in the AFC Championship, so you know they’ll pull out all the stops.
Later, at 8 p.m. Eastern on Fox, the San Francisco 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks are seven-point favorites, but their Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold is dealing with an oblique injury. This NFC West rivalry is always fierce—don’t expect either team to hold back.
Sunday, January 18
Sunday’s action starts at 3 p.m. Eastern on ABC/ESPN. The Houston Texans are up against the New England Patriots, who are three-point favorites. Both teams are well-coached, so this one might come down to who blinks first.
The last game of the divisional round has the Los Angeles Rams heading to Chicago to play the Bears at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on NBC. The Bears are 3.5-point home underdogs, but playoff football can get weird—anything’s possible. This one will decide who moves on to the NFC Championship.
Conference Championships
The winners from these divisional matchups will advance to the conference championships on Sunday, January 25. The AFC Championship kicks off at 3 p.m. Eastern on CBS. The NFC Championship follows at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on Fox.
AFC Championship
The AFC Championship will feature the winners of the Bills-Broncos and Texans-Patriots games. Whoever comes out on top will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. It’s a huge moment, no matter how you slice it.
NFC Championship
The NFC side will see the victors of the 49ers-Seahawks and Rams-Bears matchups go head-to-head. This game decides who gets to play for the Lombardi Trophy. Stakes don’t get much higher.
Super Bowl 2026
Super Bowl 2026 is set for February 8 in San Francisco, with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on NBC. The NFL’s champion will be crowned on the biggest stage, and you just know there will be drama and moments we’ll talk about for years.
College Football National Championship
While the NFL playoffs take center stage, college football fans are counting down to the national championship game on Monday, January 19. Indiana faces Miami in what’s pretty much a home game for the Hurricanes. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
Indiana vs. Miami
This matchup should be a wild one. Both teams will bring their best, and it’s hard to imagine this game won’t deliver some fireworks. Expect a high-energy contest—these teams want that title badly.
Betting Insights and Predictions
Sportsbooks have weighed in on the divisional round, and all four spreads are seven points or less. That’s a sign these games could be close and unpredictable.
- Chicago Bears are 3.5-point home underdogs to the Los Angeles Rams.
- New England Patriots are three-point favorites against the Houston Texans.
- Denver Broncos are 1.5-point favorites against the Buffalo Bills.
- Seattle Seahawks are seven-point favorites over the San Francisco 49ers.
Honestly, these lines suggest we’re in for a weekend of tight, hard-fought games. Anything could happen—and that’s half the fun, isn’t it?
If you want more details on the NFL playoff schedule and matchups, check out the source.
Conclusion
The NFL playoffs and college football national championship are about to light up the week with some wild football action. High-stakes games and old rivalries are on the horizon.
Fans can expect dramatic finishes—maybe even a few jaw-dropping moments. Whether you’re pulling for your NFL team to make a run at the Super Bowl or just buzzing about the national championship, it’s a thrilling time for football lovers.
