NFL Divisional Round: Four Key Matchups Set for Weekend

The NFL divisional round starts Saturday with the Buffalo Bills facing the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, followed by the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle. Sunday brings the Houston Texans to Gillette Stadium to play the New England Patriots, and the Los Angeles Rams visit the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. These games decide which teams advance toward the conference championships and a shot at Super Bowl LX on February 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

Background

The 2025-26 NFL season playoffs began with the wild-card round, where lower seeds fought for spots in this stage. In the AFC, the New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 at home on January 12. The Houston Texans won their wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 in Pittsburgh. Denver earned a first-round bye as the top seed after a strong regular season. Buffalo advanced by winning their wild-card matchup.

In the NFC, Chicago defeated Green Bay 31-27 in the wild-card round. The Los Angeles Rams beat Carolina 34-31 on the road. Seattle got a bye as the top NFC seed. San Francisco moved on after their wild-card victory. Four road teams won in the wild-card round, setting up these divisional clashes. This round narrows the field from eight teams to four, with winners heading to conference championship games on January 25.

The Broncos and Seahawks rest extra after byes, while other teams played last weekend. Weather could play a role in outdoor stadiums like Empower Field, Lumen Field, Gillette, and Soldier Field, especially with January conditions in Denver, Seattle, Foxborough, and Chicago.

Key Details

Saturday Games

Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS and important+. Denver opens as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 46.5 points. The Broncos host at Empower Field at Mile High. Buffalo comes off a wild-card win, looking to build momentum. Denver's home field advantage stands out in cold weather.

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks follows at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One. Seattle leads as a 7-point favorite, the biggest spread of the round, with over/under at 44.5 to 46.5 points. This NFC West rematch sees the teams split their regular-season games. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, listed questionable with an oblique injury, said he plans to play. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy leads his team on short rest.

Sunday Games

Houston Texans at New England Patriots starts at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC. The Patriots host at Gillette Stadium after their wild-card shutout of the Chargers. Texans dominated Pittsburgh on the road. This matchup tests young Houston against veteran New England experience.

Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears closes the weekend at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Rams are favored by 4.5 points with a total around 51.5 points. Chicago hosts its first divisional game at Soldier Field in 15 years after beating Green Bay. Rams advanced with a late win over Carolina. Both teams bring strong defenses into the matchup.

"I'm planning to play. No doubt about it," Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold told reporters about his oblique injury.

Fan projections give slight edges: Denver 51.3% over Buffalo, Seattle 58.8% over San Francisco, Rams 62% over Bears. These games air nationwide, with streaming options on important+, FOX One, ESPN Deportes, and more.

What This Means

Winners of these games move to the AFC and NFC championship games on January 25. The AFC title game starts at 3:00 p.m. ET on CBS, NFC at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX. Those victors face off in Super Bowl LX on February 8 at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC. For Buffalo, a win over Denver opens a path through the AFC. San Francisco beating Seattle would mark a big road victory in a tough rivalry.

Houston upsetting New England keeps their playoff run alive after the wild-card blowout. A Rams win in Chicago sends them toward another NFC title shot. Chicago victory brings back memories of home playoff success. Denver and Seattle aim to use home bye advantages to reach championships. These outcomes shape the playoff bracket, with road underdogs facing tall tasks against top seeds. Teams prepare for quick turnarounds, injury checks like Darnold's status, and crowd energy in packed stadiums. The divisional round tests depth, coaching, and execution under pressure as the season nears its end.