NFL Divisional Round Heats Up with Eight Teams Battling for Conference Championship Spots
The NFL playoffs have moved into the Divisional Round. Eight teams remain in the hunt for a place in the Conference Championships. This follows a Wild Card Weekend packed with dramatic comebacks and surprising upsets.
Top Seeds Enter the Fray After Bye Weeks
The Denver Broncos, the number one seed in the AFC, and the Seattle Seahawks, the top seed in the NFC, now join the competition. Both teams enjoyed a first-round bye. They will face opponents who fought hard to advance during the wild card games. The stakes are incredibly high as every team edges closer to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
Complete Schedule for the Divisional Round Games
Fans can mark their calendars for these crucial matchups. All times are listed in Eastern Time and Indian Standard Time.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos – 4:30 PM ET / 3:00 AM IST (Sunday, January 18)
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – 8:00 PM ET / 6:30 AM IST (Sunday, January 18)
Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots – 3:00 PM ET / 1:30 AM IST (Monday, January 19)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears – 6:30 PM ET / 5:00 AM IST (Monday, January 19)
Key Storylines and Team News to Watch
Bills at Broncos
The Buffalo Bills travel to face the top-seeded Denver Broncos. These teams have met twice before in the NFL playoffs. The Bills won both previous meetings, in 1992 and again in 2025. This game is a rematch from last year's Wild Card round, where Buffalo secured a decisive 31-7 victory. Now, the action shifts to Denver's Mile High Stadium. The Broncos are well-rested and feature one of the league's strongest defenses. Quarterback Bo Nix aims to create some postseason magic for Denver. Meanwhile, Bills QB Josh Allen looks to continue his impressive road playoff performances. Can the Broncos secure their first playoff win since Super Bowl 50?
49ers at Seahawks
This NFC West showdown serves as a rubber match. The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers split their two regular-season games. Seattle clinched the division title in Week 18. The 49ers enter this game on short rest, having played a Wild Card game just five days earlier. Their potent offensive attack will test Seattle's home-field advantage at Lumen Field. Both regular-season contests between these rivals were low-scoring affairs. Neither game saw the total points reach 30. Fans can likely expect another tight, defensive battle.
Texans at Patriots
The Houston Texans carry strong momentum into this game. They earned their first-ever road playoff win by dominating the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, they face the New England Patriots. The Patriots have not advanced this deep into the postseason since 2018. Texans quarterback Drake Maye impressed in his playoff debut. However, Houston's elite defense could pose serious problems for the Patriots' offense. New England brings significant postseason experience. The Texans aim to advance past the Divisional Round for the first time in franchise history.
Rams at Bears
The Chicago Bears host the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field. This marks the Bears' first home Divisional Round game in 15 years. Chicago arrives fresh off a Wild Card upset victory over the Green Bay Packers, fueled by heroics from quarterback Caleb Williams. They now face a veteran Los Angeles Rams squad. This NFC clash pits exciting young talent against seasoned experience. The energetic home crowd in Chicago will add another layer of intensity to the contest.
How to Watch: Live Streaming Details
Viewers in the United States can catch the games across several networks. Each matchup will air on a different channel.
- Broncos vs Bills will broadcast on CBS.
- Seahawks vs 49ers will air on FOX.
- Patriots vs Texans will be shown on ESPN.
- Bears vs Rams will be featured on NBC.
Live streaming will also be available on platforms like Fubo and Sling TV.
For fans in India, the DAZN NFL Game Pass provides comprehensive coverage. It offers live and on-demand streaming of every Divisional Round game. The service includes full game replays and NFL RedZone coverage. All matchups are available. Additionally, NFL+ offers mobile streaming, highlights, and replays for subscribers worldwide.
