At a Glance
- Two No. 6 seeds face No. 1 seeds in Saturday’s Divisional Round double-header
- Bills visit Broncos at 1:30 p.m. PT; 49ers travel to Seahawks at 5 p.m. PT
- Both top seeds boast elite defenses that led their conferences in key metrics
- Why it matters: Conference championship berths-and a step closer to Super Bowl 60-hang in the balance
The NFL playoffs resume Saturday with a pair of Divisional Round games that pit sixth-seeded wild cards against rested No. 1 seeds. Conference championship berths are on the line in both the AFC and NFC, with kickoff in Denver followed by a primetime clash in Seattle.
Bills vs. Broncos: Familiar Foes Meet Again
The early game sends Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills to Empower Field at Mile High for a 1:30 p.m. PT kickoff against the Denver Broncos. This marks the second straight postseason the teams have met; last year the Bills routed the Broncos 31-7 in Buffalo during Wild Card weekend.
Allen guided the Bills past the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24 last week, authoring two go-ahead touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. Buffalo is in the Divisional Round for the sixth consecutive season and eyes back-to-back AFC title game appearances.
Denver counters with the league’s top-ranked defense:
- 68 sacks, 11 more than any other team
- Second in yards allowed
- Third in points allowed
- Only one home loss all season
Coach Sean Payton‘s squad seeks its first playoff win since the franchise’s Super Bowl 50 championship season.
49ers vs. Seahawks: Rivalry Renewed Under Lights
The nightcap features the San Francisco 49ers visiting the Seattle Seahawks at 5 p.m. PT. The division rivals meet for the third time this season and the second time in three weeks.
San Francisco upset the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles 23-19 last week despite losing George Kittle to a torn Achilles. Brock Purdy directed a go-ahead touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter before the defense sealed the win.
Seattle captured the NFC West and the No. 1 seed by beating the 49ers 13-3 in Week 18. That victory showcased the Seahawks’ league-best scoring defense, which held San Francisco to:
- 173 total yards
- 2-for-11 combined on third and fourth downs
Quarterback Sam Darnold is listed as questionable after an oblique injury landed him on the injury report this week. His availability looms as the biggest storyline entering the game.
How to Watch & Stream
Bills at Broncos (CBS)
- TV: CBS
- Stream: Paramount+, NFL+ (mobile only)
49ers at Seahawks (Fox)
- TV: Fox
- Stream: Fox Sports app, NFL+ (mobile only)
Sunday’s Schedule
The remaining conference title berths will be decided Sunday:
| Matchup | Time (PT) | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Texans at Patriots | 12 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| Rams at Bears | 3:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock |
Road to Super Bowl 60
Conference championship games are set for Sunday, Jan. 25. The season culminates at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, for Super Bowl 60 on Sunday, Feb. 8.
Key Takeaways
- Both No. 1 seeds are favored thanks to dominant defenses
- Injury questions surround Seahawks QB Sam Darnold
- Bills seek revenge after last year’s playoff loss to Denver
- 49ers aim for fourth NFC title game in five years despite Kittle’s absence
