Ring in the New Year with thrilling NFL action as 2026 kicks off with a high-stakes doubleheader. The Carolina Panthers face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to decide the NFC South champion, while the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks clash for both the NFC West crown and the coveted No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

The excitement begins with the Buccaneers and Panthers battling it out for the NFC South title. Tampa Bay has struggled in the latter half of the season, with a 7-9 record and a four-game losing streak, each loss by fewer than four points. Meanwhile, the Panthers have managed a 2-2 run, including a narrow 23-20 victory over the Buccaneers in Week 16. A win secures Carolina a playoff spot, although they could still advance if the Atlanta Falcons defeat the New Orleans Saints, even with a loss.

The evening promises more top-tier football as two of the league’s elite squads go head-to-head. The Seahawks boast the NFC’s best record at 13-3, closely followed by the 49ers at 12-4. Both teams are riding impressive six-game winning streaks. Tonight’s winner will not only clinch the NFC West but also secure the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Don’t miss a moment of today’s action! The doubleheader kicks off with the Buccaneers versus the Panthers at 4:30 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN and ABC. Later, the Seahawks take on the 49ers at 8:00 p.m. ET, also on ESPN and ABC. Catch all the excitement live online!

What Time/Channels Are The NFL Games On Today (January 3)?

Saturday’s NFL doubleheader begins with an NFC South showdown between the Buccaneers and Panthers at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC, followed by the Seattle Seahawks going on the road to battle the San Francisco 49ers on ESPN and ABC at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Both games are also available to watch on your phone or tablet via NFL+.

Bucs vs. Panthers and 49ers/Seahawks: Channels, Start Times, Where To Watch:

If you have a valid cable login, you can watch both games live on ESPN, ABC, or ABC.com/ABC app. Another option is ESPN’s Unlimited bundle, which includes ESPN, Hulu, and Disney+ for $29.99/month for 12 months (or $29.99/month for just ESPN).

The only way to watch shows airing live without cable is by using a live TV streaming service. Our favorite is DIRECTV, which comes with a five-day free trial before payment begins.

DIRECTV offers a number of flexible subscription options, including Genre Packs, so you can best choose which streaming plans fit your needs and budget. Plans start at $49.99/month.

How To Watch Today’s NFL Games Live Online Without Cable:

You can also stream today’s games live with an active subscription to fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, NFL+, YouTube TV, or Sling TV. FuboTV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV offer free trials for new subscribers.