Divisional Round Final: 49ers Face Rivals in Seattle, Bills Battle Broncos

The Road to Super Bowl LX is heating up. After a chaotic Wild Card Weekend, the Divisional Round matchups are officially set. The schedule is locked, and fantasy managers (DFS/Playoff Leagues) need to adjust their lineups accordingly.

Confirmed Schedule (Jan 17-18, 2026)

Saturday, Jan 17

• Buffalo Bills (6) at Denver Broncos (1) - 4:30 PM ET
  • Storyline: Josh Allen's "battered and brilliant" squad faces the league's #1 sack defense in Mile High.
• San Francisco 49ers (6) at Seattle Seahawks (1) - 8:00 PM ET
  • Storyline: A bitter NFC West rivalry. The 49ers upset the Eagles, but now face the top-seeded Seahawks without George Kittle.

Sunday, Jan 18

• Houston Texans (5) at New England Patriots (2) - 3:00 PM ET
  • Storyline: C.J. Stroud visits Gillette Stadium. Can the Texans' high-flying offense crack the Patriots' disciplined defense?
• Los Angeles Rams (5) at Chicago Bears (2) - 6:30 PM ET
  • Storyline: Matthew Stafford vs. Caleb Williams. The veteran gunslinger against the rookie sensation in freezing Soldier Field.

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🧠 Trade Analyzer: Divisional Round Pulse

🚀 DFS Lock: Kyren Williams (RB, LAR)

• Opponent: Chicago Bears
• Price: High
• Analysis: With Matthew Stafford dealing with a finger issue and the Soldier Field weather expected to be brutal, the Rams will lean heavily on Kyren. Expect 25+ touches. The Bears run defense is solid but can be worn down.
• Projection: 21.5 PPR.

⚠️ Fade Alert: DK Metcalf (WR, SEA)

• Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
• Risk Factor: High
• Analysis: Sam Darnold is playing through an oblique injury. Oblique injuries are notorious for sapping rotational power, meaning deep balls to Metcalf could be underthrown or non-existent. Plus, the 49ers secondary held A.J. Brown in check last week.
• Verdict: Pivot to Jaxon Smith-Njigba for short-area targets.

💎 Sleeper: Dalton Kincaid (TE, BUF)

• Opponent: Denver Broncos
• Reasoning: With Gabe Davis (ACL) out, Josh Allen needs a reliable target. The Broncos have elite corners (Surtain II), which forces targets to the middle of the field. Kincaid should see 8-10 targets as the safety valve.

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Dynasty Implication

If Caleb Williams leads the Bears to victory over the Rams, his dynasty value (already top 5) might ascend to "untouchable" tier alongside Stroud and Mahomes. Watch this game closely.