The 2026 NFL Divisional Round promises some great football as the final eight teams battle for spots in the Conference Championships and a trip to Super Bowl LX on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. The 2026 NFL Divisional Round is set after a dramatic Wild Card Weekend full of comebacks and upsets. Four games highlight Jan 17-18, with top seeds Denver (AFC) and Seattle (NFC) hosting. Key storylines include rematches (SF-SEA third time this season), rookie/young QB tests (Bo Nix vs. Josh Allen), and injury impacts. All times Eastern; watch on CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN/ABC.
Last updated: January 15th, 2026
Divisional Round Schedule & TV Broadcasts (All Times ET)
The No. 1 seeds in the 2026 NFL Playoffs, Denver Broncos (AFC) and Seattle Seahawks (NFC), enter fresh off byes, while road warriors like the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Rams look to keep their momentum rolling. Here’s a full preview, including schedule, TV/streaming details, key storylines, predictions, and how to use our updated printable bracket.
| Round | Date/Time (ET) | Matchup (Seed) | Location | TV/Stream | Odds (as of Jan 14) | Notes |
| AFC Divisional | Sat, Jan 17, 4:30 PM | (6) Buffalo Bills at (1) Denver Broncos | Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO | CBS / Paramount+ | Denver -1.5; O/U 44.5 | Bills banged up on road; Broncos strong home D |
| NFC Divisional | Sat, Jan 17, 8:00 PM | (6) San Francisco 49ers at (1) Seattle Seahawks | Lumen Field, Seattle, WA | FOX / FOX One | Seattle -7.5; O/U ~43.5 | Rivalry (split season series); low-scoring history; Kittle out hurts SF |
| AFC Divisional | Sun, Jan 18, ~3:00 PM (varies 2-3 PM sources) | (5) Houston Texans at (2) New England Patriots | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA | ABC / ESPN | Patriots favored (exact line TBD ~ -3 to -4.5); O/U ~42 | Texans road win streak; elite D vs. Maye-led Pats |
| NFC Divisional | Sun, Jan 18, 6:30 PM | (5) Los Angeles Rams at (2) Chicago Bears | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL | NBC / Peacock | Rams slight underdogs (+4.5); O/U ~45.5 | Bears first home Divisional in 15 yrs; high-powered Rams offense |
Winners advance to the Conference Championships on January 25 (AFC ~3:00 PM on CBS/Paramount+; NFC ~6:30 PM on FOX/FOX Sports app; higher seed hosts). All games feature flex potential for networks, but these are the confirmed assignments.
NFL Divisional Round Preview Podcast
Matchup Previews & Predictions
2026 NFL Divisional Round Previews and Predictions
Bills at Broncos: Denver opened around -1.5 (slim favorite despite home/bye), O/U ~44.5-46.5. Some models lean Broncos due to rest advantage and pass rush, but Bills are seen as live underdogs with Josh Allen’s playoff experience.
49ers at Seahawks: Seattle -7.5 or heavier (up to -7.5+), O/U ~43.5. Heavy lean to Seahawks given rest, home edge, and 49ers’ injury woes.
Texans at Patriots: Patriots favored ~ -3 to -4.5, O/U ~42. Slight edge to New England with rest and home field.
Rams at Bears: Closer to pick’em or Bears slight favorites (~ – something small), O/U ~45.5; toss-up with model leans toward Bears covering.
Injury Notes
- 49ers: TE George Kittle out for the season (Achilles tear from Wild Card game)—major blow to their offense.
- Bills: Extensive list (15 players noted), especially banged-up secondary and offense; monitor Josh Allen’s status under pressure.
- Rams: QB Matthew Stafford (finger sprain) expected to play.
- Broncos, Patriots, Bears, Texans: Generally lighter reports; no major season-enders highlighted recently. Focus on practice participation mid-week.
Paths to Super Bowl LX & Overall Outlook
- AFC Championship potential: Broncos vs. Bills/Texans winner-could be a defensive slugfest or Allen/Stroud showcase.
- NFC Championship potential: Seahawks vs. Bears/Rams winner-NFC West dominance continues?
Current Super Bowl odds favor Seahawks and Rams (tied ~+300 range), with Bills rising post-Wild Card. Broncos strong but vulnerable at home; Patriots/Texans as dark horses.
Printable Bracket & How to Use It
Our updated 2026 NFL Divisional Playoff Bracket PDF includes blank projections for filling in scores, winners, and your path to Super Bowl LX. Perfect for office pools, family brackets, or personal tracking. Print multiple copies, mark your picks, and follow along all weekend!
The Divisional Round kicks off Saturday-don’t miss the action. Check back for live updates, Conference Championship previews, and more printables on SportsBrackets.net. Who advances? Let the games decide! You can also get the complete NFL Playoff Bracket here too.
