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2026 NFL Divisional Round Matchups Announced: Key Games Ahead!

1/18/2026

46 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

NFL Divisional Matchups

The NFL Divisional Round is set for January 17, 2026, featuring four games.
The Buffalo Bills will visit the Denver Broncos, the No. 1 seed, at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
The Seattle Seahawks, a top seed, will host the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
The New England Patriots will play the Houston Texans.
The Chicago Bears will face the Los Angeles Rams.

Summary

Seahawks Host 49ers

The Seattle Seahawks will host the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round on January 17, 2026.
Seattle earned home-field advantage after a bye and defeated San Francisco 13-3.
The 49ers arrive off a Wild Card win over Philadelphia and face injuries, including George Kittle's Achilles.
Quarterback Sam Darnold is questionable for Seattle but expects to play.
Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET; Seattle is favored by 7 points.

History

Historical Context

The NFL and AFL merged in 1970, creating a unified 26-team league and expanding the playoff format to include four teams from each conference. This merger followed years of competition and culminated in the first Super Bowl, where the Baltimore Colts defeated the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V on January 17, 1971. The NFL's ongoing popularity continues to shape American sports culture.

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NFL Divisional Matchups

The NFL Divisional Round is set for January 17, 2026, featuring four games.
The Buffalo Bills will visit the Denver Broncos, the No. 1 seed, at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
The Seattle Seahawks, a top seed, will host the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
The New England Patriots will play the Houston Texans.
The Chicago Bears will face the Los Angeles Rams.

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