2026 NFL Playoffs Divisional Round: Full Schedule, Matchups & TV Listings

Breaking: Divisional Round Schedule Set for the 2026 NFL Playoffs

Eight teams remain in the chase for Super Bowl LX, and the Divisional Round card is set to deliver a compelling weekend of football. The slate opens with a rare role reversal for the Buffalo Bills, who travel to face the top-seeded Denver Broncos as the road favorite on CBS.

In a much-anticipated rematch, the San Francisco 49ers travel to face the Seattle Seahawks. Both regular-season meetings favored the road squad, underscoring a potential repeat in the postseason clash.

The weekend continues with a test for the Houston Texans as they square off against Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in a high-stakes afternoon showdown on ESPN/ABC. the nightcap features a marquee matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears on NBC, promising late-evening drama.

Here is the official slate for the Divisional Round of the 2026 NFL Playoffs.

Divisional round Matchups

Game	Time (ET)	Network
#6 Buffalo Bills at #1 Denver Broncos	4:30 p.m.	CBS
#6 San Francisco 49ers at #1 Seattle Seahawks	8:00 p.m.	FOX
#5 Houston Texans at #2 New England Patriots	3:00 p.m.	ESPN/ABC
#5 Los Angeles Rams at #2 Chicago Bears	6:30 p.m.	NBC

Why this slate matters

The eight-team field represents a blend of surprising contenders and established power, with a top seed looking to steady the home-field advantage. The Bills’ visit to Denver marks a rare role reversal for a road team favored in a conference semifinal. Denver, as the top seed, will host with the goal of protecting home turf and advancing toward a championship run.

The 49ers and Seahawks renew a heated rivalry, adding a splash of drama to primetime. In the earlier season meetings, the road team won each game, a trend that could influence how both teams approach this pivotal clash.

Houston carries momentum from the Wild Card Round, where its defensive rush played a notable role. The challenge intensifies against Drake Maye and New England, a combination that could test the Texans’ approach on both sides of the ball.

Simultaneously occurring, the primetime pairing of the Rams and Bears wraps the weekend in what many observers expect to be a high-stakes, entertaining finale. Both teams bring a blend of offensive firepower and defensive grit that can shift the balance in a single sequence.

evergreen insights

Historically, Divisional Round games spotlight parity, where seeds and expectations matter less than execution on game day. This weekend’s lineup emphasizes road competitiveness,the value of depth,and the importance of containing dynamic playmakers in high-leverage situations. As teams advance, the real test becomes adapting game plans to the unpredictable nature of January football and the evolving playoff landscape.

What to watch

Which matchup do you expect to define the weekend—the Bills in Denver, the 49ers in Seattle, the Texans in New England, or the rams in Chicago? How might home-field advantage influence the outcomes in these high-stakes games?

Reader questions

1) Which team do you believe has the clearest path to a title after this round, and why?

2) Do you anticipate any upset brewing as teams adjust to the pressure of a single-elimination weekend?

Share your predictions in the comments and join the conversation as the playoff race intensifies.

What is the full schedule and TV listings for the 2026 NFL Divisional Round?

2026 NFL Playoffs Divisional round: Full Schedule, Matchups & TV Listings

The road to Super bowl LXI is heating up! Following Wild Card Weekend, the 2026 NFL Playoffs now enter the Divisional Round – a stage where contenders truly separate themselves from pretenders. Here’s everything you need to no about the matchups, schedule, and how to catch all the action. This guide will keep you updated on playoff bracket predictions and potential upsets.

Divisional Round matchups (January 17th & 18th, 2026)

Based on seeding after Wild Card Weekend, here’s how the Divisional Round shapes up. Please note: Matchups are subject to change based on Wild Card results. We’ll update this section immediately following the conclusion of Wild Card games.

AFC Divisional Round

* #1 Seed Kansas City Chiefs vs. #5 Seed Miami Dolphins: Saturday, January 17th, 4:35 PM EST – CBS

* #2 Seed Buffalo Bills vs. #3 Seed Jacksonville Jaguars: Saturday, january 17th, 8:15 PM EST – NBC

NFC Divisional Round

* #1 Seed San Francisco 49ers vs. #6 Seed Los Angeles Rams: Sunday, January 18th, 1:05 PM EST – FOX

* #2 Seed Dallas Cowboys vs.#4 Seed Philadelphia Eagles: Sunday, January 18th, 4:40 PM EST – CBS

Full Schedule & TV Listings

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the 2026 NFL Divisional Round schedule, including TV channels and streaming options. All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Date	Time	Matchup	TV Channel	Streaming options
January 17th	4:35 PM EST	Chiefs vs. Dolphins	CBS	Paramount+, NFL+
January 17th	8:15 PM EST	Bills vs. Jaguars	NBC	Peacock, NFL+
January 18th	1:05 PM EST	49ers vs. Rams	FOX	FOX Sports App, NFL+
january 18th	4:40 PM EST	Cowboys vs. Eagles	CBS	Paramount+, NFL+

Understanding Streaming options:

* NFL+: Offers live local and primetime games on mobile devices and tablets.

* Paramount+: Streams all CBS games live.

* Peacock: Streams all NBC games live.

* FOX Sports App: Requires a cable or streaming subscription that includes FOX.

Key Players to watch

Several players are poised to make a significant impact during the Divisional round. Keep an eye on:

* patrick Mahomes (Chiefs QB): Always a threat to elevate his team, even when facing tough defenses.

* Josh Allen (Bills QB): His dual-threat ability makes him a nightmare for opposing coordinators.

* Brock Purdy (49ers QB): Continuing to prove doubters wrong, Purdy’s efficiency is crucial for the 49ers’ success.

* Dak Prescott (Cowboys QB): A strong performance from Prescott will be vital in a perhaps high-scoring matchup against the Eagles.

* Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins QB): If healthy, tua’s accuracy and rapid release can unlock the Dolphins’ explosive offense.

Historical Divisional Round Trends

Looking back at past Divisional Round games reveals some interesting trends:

* Home-Field Advantage: Historically, home teams have a significant advantage, winning approximately 65-70% of divisional Round games.

* High Scoring affairs: Divisional Round games often feature higher scores compared to the Wild Card Round, as offenses become more aggressive.

* Upset Potential: While favorites generally prevail, the Divisional Round has seen its share of upsets, making it a thrilling stage for unpredictable outcomes. In 2023, the Baltimore Ravens were upset by the Houston Texans.

Benefits of Watching the Divisional round

Beyond the excitement of playoff football, watching the Divisional Round offers several benefits:

* Witnessing Elite Competition: The Divisional Round showcases the best teams and players in the NFL battling for a chance to reach the Conference Championships.

* Strategic Insights: Analyzing the game plans and adjustments made by coaches provides valuable insights into the intricacies of football strategy.

* Building Anticipation: The Divisional Round builds anticipation for the Conference Championships and ultimately,the Super Bowl.

Practical Tips for Enjoying the Games

* Check Local Listings: Confirm TV channels and streaming options in your area.

* Plan Ahead: Make sure you have snacks, drinks, and cozy seating arrangements.

* Engage with Friends: Watch the games with friends and family for a more enjoyable experience.

* Stay Updated: Follow NFL news and analysis for the latest updates on injuries and game predictions.

Looking Ahead: Conference Championships

The winners of the Divisional Round will advance to the Conference Championships, where they will compete for a spot in Super Bowl LXI. The AFC Championship game will be played on January 24th,and the NFC Championship game will be played on January 25th.