The NFL playoffs reach their most exciting stage as eight elite teams prepare for Divisional Round action. The Wild Card Round gave us incredible comebacks and stunning upsets. Now the top seeds enter the battle. Every game this weekend carries massive stakes as teams fight for Conference Championship spots.
Which Teams are Playing in the Divisional Round?
The AFC features four powerhouse teams ready to clash. The Denver Broncos earned the top seed with their dominant defense. They host the Buffalo Bills in what promises to be a fierce battle.
The New England Patriots welcome the Houston Texans to Gillette Stadium. Drake Maye impressed in his playoff debut for New England. The Texans made history with their first road playoff win against Pittsburgh.
The NFC matchups bring intense division rivalries. The Seattle Seahawks hold home field as the number one seed. They face the San Francisco 49ers in their third meeting this season.
The Chicago Bears host the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field. Rookie Caleb Williams led an amazing comeback in the Wild Card Round. The Rams survived a thriller thanks to Matthew Stafford’s clutch performance.
Complete NFL Divisional Round Schedule & Results
| Round | Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV Channel | Venue | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFC Divisional | Sat, Jan 17 | Bills at Broncos | 4:30 PM | CBS | Empower Field, Denver | – |
| NFC Divisional | Sat, Jan 17 | 49ers at Seahawks | 8:00 PM | FOX | Lumen Field, Seattle | – |
| AFC Divisional | Sun, Jan 18 | Texans at Patriots | 3:00 PM | ESPN/ABC | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough | – |
| NFC Divisional | Sun, Jan 18 | Rams at Bears | 6:30 PM | NBC | Soldier Field, Chicago | – |
Saturday starts with an AFC showdown in Denver at 4:30 PM. Josh Allen brings his explosive offense to face the Broncos’ elite defense. The nightcap features the NFC West rivalry at 8:00 PM. The 49ers upset defending champion Philadelphia and now travel to Seattle.
Sunday afternoon brings the Texans to New England for a 3:00 PM kickoff. Both teams feature strong defenses and young quarterbacks. The weekend closes with the Rams visiting Chicago at 6:30 PM. Cold weather at Soldier Field could play a major role in this matchup.
Want to enjoy the live match? Check and secure your Playoff Divisional Round tickets on StubHub.
Divisional Round NFL Bracket & Current Scenario
The playoff bracket is set with no reseeding after the Wild Card Round. The top seeds face the lowest remaining seeds while the other matchups stay locked in place.
The AFC side shows the Broncos hosting Buffalo while New England takes on Houston. The winners meet in the AFC Championship on January 25. Denver would host that game if they advance. The Patriots would also host if they win and Buffalo upsets Denver.
The NFC bracket features Seattle against San Francisco and Chicago versus Los Angeles. These winners clash for the NFC title on January 25. The Seahawks control home field throughout if they keep winning. The Bears would host the title game if they advance and the Seahawks fall.
The NFC West made history by sending three teams to this round. Only one other division has accomplished this feat in the past 25 years. The Conference Championship winners advance to Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 8.
How to Watch NFL Playoff Divisional Round Games?
CBS broadcasts the Bills and Broncos game with streaming on Paramount Plus. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo call the action starting at 4:30 PM.
FOX airs the 49ers and Seahawks matchup at 8:00 PM. You can stream this game on the FOX Sports app. Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen provide commentary.
ESPN and ABC simulcast the Texans and Patriots game at 3:00 PM Sunday. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman handle the broadcast. Stream this game on the ESPN app.
NBC closes the weekend with Rams at Bears at 6:30 PM. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth call the game. Peacock offers streaming access.
Cord cutters can watch through YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV or FuboTV. All these services include every network broadcasting Divisional Round games. Most offer free trials for new subscribers.
2026 Wild Card Weekend Results
The Rams survived a thriller against Carolina 34-31. Matthew Stafford threw the game-winning touchdown with 38 seconds left. The Bears shocked everyone with a historic comeback. They erased an 18-point halftime deficit to beat Green Bay 31-27.
Buffalo earned their first road playoff win since 1992 by defeating Jacksonville 27-24. The 49ers ended Philadelphia’s repeat Super Bowl hopes with a 23-19 victory. New England crushed the Chargers 16-3 behind their dominant defense.
The Texans made franchise history on Monday night. They destroyed Pittsburgh 30-6 to capture their first road playoff victory ever. Houston’s defense held the Steelers to just 189 total yards.
2026 NFL Divisional Round FAQs
What time do the Divisional Round games start?
Games begin Saturday at 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM Eastern. Sunday’s action starts at 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM Eastern.
Can I watch games for free?
Local broadcasts are free with an antenna. Network apps require a cable login. Some streaming services offer free trials.
Which teams have home field advantage?
The Broncos, Seahawks, Patriots and Bears all host games this weekend. They earned these spots through their regular season performance.
What happens if games go to overtime?
Playoff games cannot end in ties. Both teams get at least one possession unless the opening drive ends in a touchdown. Play continues until someone wins.
How many teams advance from this round?
Four teams advance to the Conference Championships. Two from the AFC and two from the NFC play on January 25.
The Divisional Round delivers the best matchups of the entire playoff season. Eight championship contenders battle this weekend for four Conference Championship spots. The road to Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium gets much narrower after these games conclude.
