Divisional Round Preview: Odds, Time & What to Know
The Buffalo Bills will hit the road to face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round of the 2026 NFL Playoffs, setting the stage for a highly anticipated Saturday afternoon showdown. The game is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 17 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
Buffalo punched its ticket to the next round with a 27–24 Wild Card win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and now the 12–5 club looks to continue its postseason momentum against the AFC’s top seed. Denver finished the regular season 14–3, earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage for the first time in years.
Oddsmakers opened the matchup with the Bills as slight road favorites, typically around Buffalo -1.5, despite the Broncos’ strong regular-season resume. The betting public is also watching the over/under, often situated near 47–47.5 points — suggesting expectations for a competitive, moderately scoring affair.
Denver’s defense and home-field edge present a challenge for Buffalo’s attack, but Bills quarterback Josh Allen remains a focal point of confidence and discussion. Allen’s leadership and playoff experience give Buffalo an edge in many pundits’ eyes, even as Denver works to leverage its bye week and momentum.
This matchup also carries some historical weight: the two teams met in the postseason last year, though that game took place in Buffalo. With Denver hosting this year’s contest, both clubs have narratives to play out — the Bills seeking to build further on postseason success, and the Broncos aiming to capitalize on a long-awaited chance to defend home turf.
Fans can catch all the action live on CBS, with kickoff slated for early evening. As both teams refine their game plans this week, the national spotlight turns to the Mile High City for what promises to be one of the slate’s most intriguing playoff battles.
