How to Watch NFL Divisional Playoffs: Kickoff Times, TV Channels, Streaming Options, and Local-Market Notes

Jenny Lee January 15, 2026 | 03:17

Everything US fans need to know to watch the NFL Divisional Playoffs live on TV or streaming this weekend.

NFL Divisional Playoffs 2026

The NFL Divisional Round is here, and the best part is simple: every game is nationally televised, so you don’t need an expensive cable package to follow the entire weekend. You do, however, need to know which network has which game and which streaming services actually carry those networks in your area.

Below is a deep, practical, US-focused guide: kickoff times, channels, best streaming picks, and the common “why can’t I watch?” issues (local affiliates, app logins, and device limitations).

Divisional Round schedule: kickoff times + TV channels (ET):

Divisional Round schedule

Tip: The NFL’s own announcement confirms the Divisional Round weekend and matchups for Jan. 17–18.

The simplest way to watch every game (no channel hunting)

If your goal is “I want all four games, live, on any device,” your cleanest solution is a live TV streaming service that carries CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and ABC in your ZIP code.

Typically strongest all-in-one choices:

YouTube TV
Hulu + Live TV
Fubo
DIRECTV STREAM

Why this is easiest: you get the full network mix in one place, and you avoid the “this app needs a cable login” problem.

Platform-by-platform: how to stream each game legally in the US

1) CBS (Bills at Broncos) — 4:30 p.m. ET

TV: CBS
Streaming (no cable):

Paramount+ (CBS’s streaming home for NFL on CBS)
Any live TV streaming service that includes your local CBS station

Most common snag: some streaming setups don’t carry your local CBS affiliate, or your CBS feed varies by location. If you open Paramount+ and don’t see “live CBS” where you are, your fallback is a live TV streaming service that carries CBS in your market.

2) FOX (49ers at Seahawks) — 8:00 p.m. ET

TV: FOX
Streaming options:

Live TV streaming service that carries FOX in your market (often the easiest)
FOX Sports app/site — but typically requires a pay-TV provider login

Most common snag: Fans download FOX Sports expecting “free FOX.” In many cases, FOX Sports live streams require authentication (a provider login).
If you don’t have cable credentials, use a live TV streaming service that includes FOX.

3) ESPN/ABC (Texans at Patriots) — 3:00 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN and ABC
Streaming options:

Live TV streaming services (best if you don’t have cable), because they include ESPN and ABC
ESPN app (often requires a TV provider login)
ESPN’s NFL page highlights Divisional Round coverage on ESPN (availability can depend on TV-provider offerings)

Most common snag: ABC availability varies by market inside live streaming bundles (some include ABC widely, some are more limited depending on local affiliates). If ABC is missing, ESPN usually still solves it—provided your service includes ESPN.

4) NBC (Rams at Bears) — 6:30 p.m. ET

TV: NBC
Streaming (no cable):

Peacock streams NBC’s NFL coverage, including the Divisional Round window listed for Rams–Bears
Live TV streaming services that include NBC in your market

Most common snag: Peacock has different tiers/features; also, some fans confuse “NBC live local channel” with “the specific NFL event stream.” Peacock’s NFL page explicitly lists the Divisional Round game availability on Peacock.

Mobile viewing: the easiest “I’m not home” option

If you’re watching on a phone or tablet, NFL makes this simple:

NFL+ promotes every playoff game live on mobile (phone/tablet).

Key limitation: NFL+ mobile viewing is built around mobile devices—it’s not a perfect replacement for streaming on a big-screen TV for everyone. But if your priority is reliability on the go, it’s one of the most straightforward options.

Smart TV setup: what works best on a living-room screen

If you’re using Roku / Fire TV / Apple TV / Google TV (or a built-in smart TV app), here’s the most practical approach:

Best “one app” approach (recommended)

Install your live TV streaming app (YouTube TV / Hulu Live / Fubo / DIRECTV STREAM)
Watch all four games through that one service

If you’re mixing apps (also works)

CBS game: Paramount+ app
NBC game: Peacock app
FOX game: live TV streaming app (best if you don’t have a cable login)
ESPN/ABC game: live TV streaming app (most consistent for cord-cutters)

Cable vs streaming: the real differences (for playoffs)

Cable/satellite is still great if:

You already have it
You want zero app switching
You care most about stability

Streaming is usually better if:

You don’t want a long contract
You want to watch on multiple devices
You want an easy “travel + watch anywhere” setup

For Divisional Weekend specifically, streaming shines because the games are on the major networks—no obscure channels required.

“Blackouts” and local-market notes (what actually matters in the playoffs)

Here’s the good news: Divisional Round games are national broadcasts, so you’re not dealing with the same “out-of-market” headaches you get with some regular-season situations.

But you can still run into local affiliate issues:

Local station availability in your streaming service

Live TV streamers carry local CBS/FOX/NBC/ABC based on your ZIP code.
If a local affiliate isn’t carried, you may not see that network live even if you’re paying.