The road to Super Bowl LX intensifies today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, as the NFL Divisional Round 2026 kicks off with two colossal matchups. In a rare postseason alignment, both No. 6 seeds are on the road hunting for upsets against the conference's No. 1 seeds. The action begins in the AFC with the Buffalo Bills facing the Denver Broncos at Mile High, followed by a bitter NFC West rivalry renewal between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. With the NFL playoff schedule today featuring four elite quarterbacks and championship stakes, fans are bracing for a day of high drama.
Bills vs. Broncos: Josh Allen Battles Denver’s Elite Defense
The afternoon slate features a highly anticipated rematch of last year's Wild Card showdown, but the roles are reversed this time. The Buffalo Bills (12-5) travel to Empower Field to face the top-seeded Denver Broncos (14-3). Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. While Buffalo dominated their previous postseason meeting, this Broncos squad is a different beast, anchored by the league's No. 1 ranked scoring defense and the efficient play of quarterback Bo Nix.
For Buffalo, the key remains Josh Allen. Fresh off a gritty 27-24 road win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Allen must navigate a Denver pass rush that led the league in sacks. The Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos odds have tightened significantly, with Denver sitting as a narrow 1.5-point favorite. The narrative centers on whether Allen's improvisational magic can crack a Sean Payton-led defense that has been nearly impenetrable at home. Fans tracking the Bills vs Broncos live score should expect a physical, low-scoring chess match where field position and turnover margins will dictate the victor.
Key Matchup: Bo Nix vs. Playoff Pressure
While Allen is a postseason veteran, Bo Nix is making his playoff debut after a stellar sophomore campaign that saw him lead the NFL with seven game-winning drives. Nix has been the steady hand Denver needed, but the pressure of the NFL playoffs January 17 is unlike anything else. If Buffalo's defense can force Nix off his spot and disguise coverages, the rookie sensation could face his toughest test yet.
49ers vs. Seahawks: A Rivalry Reborn in Seattle
The primetime spotlight shifts to the Pacific Northwest at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX, where the San Francisco 49ers clash with the Seattle Seahawks. This game is dripping with storylines, highlighted by the quarterback duel of Sam Darnold vs Brock Purdy. Seattle (14-3) secured the NFC's top seed and a first-round bye largely thanks to Darnold's career renaissance, which earned him his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod. However, an oblique injury scare in practice this week has added a layer of suspense, though Darnold insisted his chances of missing the game were "closer to zero."
San Francisco (12-5) enters as the underdog after a grueling 23-19 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 49ers are battling attrition, with All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner ruled out, leaving a massive hole in the middle of their defense. Most 49ers vs Seahawks predictions favor Seattle, citing their dominant 13-3 victory over San Francisco in Week 18 and the raucous home-field advantage of the "12th Man." Yet, betting against Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy in elimination games has proven dangerous before. Purdy's resilience will be tested against a Mike Macdonald defense that stifled the 49ers' attack just two weeks ago.
X-Factor: The run Game Battle
With Darnold nursing an injury and Purdy missing key weapons like George Kittle, the ground game will be paramount. Kenneth Walker III spearheaded Seattle's offense in the regular-season finale, and establishing the run early could neutralize San Francisco's pass rush. Conversely, the 49ers need a vintage performance from their backfield to keep the crowd out of the game and control the clock.
Final Thoughts: A Saturday of Upsets or Validation?
As the NFL Divisional Round 2026 gets underway, the pressure is squarely on the top seeds. Both Denver and Seattle enjoyed the luxury of a bye week, but history shows that rust can be a factor against battle-tested teams coming off Wild Card victories. Whether you are tuning in for the tactical warfare in Denver or the emotional rivalry in Seattle, today's games promise to shape the legacy of the 2025-2026 season. Stay tuned for post-game analysis and updated conference championship scenarios.
