Buffalo faces Denver in divisional round as CBS broadcasts Saturday afternoon matchup
The Buffalo Bills advanced through the wild-card round and now face their toughest test of the postseason. As the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs, Buffalo heads to Mile High Stadium on Saturday afternoon to battle the top-seeded Denver Broncos in a divisional-round matchup that could determine who represents the conference in the championship game. The Broncos enter well-rested after earning a first-round bye, while the Bills are managing several key injuries from their opening playoff victory.
Buffalo defeated the No. 3 seed Jacksonville Jaguars last weekend to punch their ticket to Denver, but the win came at a cost. The Bills will be without cornerback Maxwell Hairston, linebacker Terrel Bernard, safety Jordan Poyer and wide receiver Gabe Davis for Saturday’s contest. All four players suffered injuries during the Jacksonville game, forcing head coach Sean McDermott to adjust his game plan against a Broncos offense that has been explosive all season.
Game details and broadcast information
The divisional playoff matchup kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 17, which translates to 2:30 p.m. MT for fans in Denver and 1:30 p.m. PT for viewers on the West Coast. CBS will handle the television broadcast with Jim Nantz providing play-by-play commentary and Tony Romo serving as the analyst. The network’s top broadcasting team typically handles the marquee AFC playoff games, and this matchup between conference heavyweights certainly qualifies.
Streaming on Paramount Plus
Viewers looking to stream the game have multiple options available. Paramount Plus remains the primary streaming destination for CBS content, including this playoff game. The service currently offers a free trial for new subscribers, allowing fans to watch without immediate cost. After the trial period ends, subscribers can choose between the Essential plan at $7.99 monthly or the Premium plan with Showtime at $12.99 monthly. The Premium option includes ad-free streaming of on-demand content and full access to local CBS stations.
DirecTV streaming package
DirecTV offers its Choice tier package, which includes access to CBS along with all major networks carrying NFL games. The service currently provides the first three months at $104.98 after fees, down from the typical $115 monthly rate. New subscribers receive a five-day free trial, making it an attractive option for fans wanting to test the service before committing. The package includes unlimited cloud DVR storage and access to ESPN Unlimited, providing comprehensive coverage beyond just this single game.
Fubo Sports bundle
Fubo Sports presents another streaming alternative with its sports-focused package. The service includes local broadcast stations owned by ABC, CBS and Fox, plus additional affiliates in select markets. New subscribers receive $10 off their first month, bringing the cost to $45.99 before increasing to $55.99 monthly. Fubo also provides unlimited cloud DVR storage and free access to ESPN Unlimited, though the package notably excludes NBC from its channel lineup.
Mobile streaming with NFL Plus
NFL Plus allows mobile streaming of playoff games for fans on the go. A basic subscription costs $6.99 monthly or $50 annually and provides live access to local and primetime games exclusively on phones and tablets. The Premium version, priced at $14.99 monthly or $100 annually, adds NFL RedZone access plus full and condensed game replays across supported devices.
YouTube TV option
YouTube TV subscribers can watch the game through their existing service, which includes CBS in most markets. The platform offers nearly every major network needed for playoff coverage, though live streams occasionally run on a slight delay compared to traditional broadcasts.
What’s at stake
Denver enters as the heavy favorite after dominating opponents throughout the regular season and earning home-field advantage. Buffalo faces the challenge of winning on the road against a rested opponent while dealing with significant injuries to key defensive players. The winner advances to the AFC Championship Game with a chance to represent the conference in the Super Bowl.