If you woke up today wondering, are there any nfl football games playing today, you’re in for a massive treat. It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026, and we are right in the thick of the Divisional Round. This is arguably the best weekend of the entire year for football fans. Why? Because the pretenders are gone, and the heavyweights are finally punching each other in the mouth for a spot in the Conference Championships.
Today features two high-stakes matchups. We’ve got an AFC battle in the afternoon and an NFC showdown in the freezing cold tonight.
Are There Any NFL Football Games Playing Today? The Sunday Schedule
There are exactly two games on the slate for today. You don't have to guess where to find them because they're staggered perfectly for a full day of couch-sitting.
First up, the Houston Texans travel to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots. That game kicks off at 3:00 PM ET. You can catch that one on ESPN and ABC. Honestly, seeing the Patriots back in a Divisional Round game feels like a throwback, but this isn't your older brother's New England team.
Then, for the nightcap, the Los Angeles Rams are heading to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears. Kickoff is at 6:30 PM ET on NBC. If you’re a cord-cutter, you can stream it on Peacock. It’s supposed to be snowy in Chicago, which usually means things are going to get weird and wonderful.
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Quick Look: Who, When, and Where
- Game 1: Houston Texans at New England Patriots | 3:00 PM ET | ESPN, ABC, ESPN+
- Game 2: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears | 6:30 PM ET | NBC, Peacock, Telemundo
Why the Texans vs. Patriots Game is Must-Watch
Houston is coming off a dominant 30-6 win over the Steelers last week. CJ Stroud is playing like a guy who’s been in the league for ten years, not a young buck still finding his way. But the Patriots? They’re different. They just shut down the Chargers 16-3 in the Wild Card round.
New England’s defense is basically a meat grinder right now.
Most people are sleeping on Houston because they’re playing in the cold, but Stroud has shown he doesn't really care about the weather. The real question is whether the Texans' offensive line can hold up against a New England pass rush that’s been living in opposing backfields. If you like tactical, defensive football, this is your game.
The Snow Bowl: Rams vs. Bears at Soldier Field
The night game is where things get really interesting. The Bears won the NFC North and have been a juggernaut at home. Meanwhile, the Rams just eked out a 34-31 thriller against the Panthers.
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Here is the kicker: the forecast for Chicago tonight is roughly 19° F with snow showers.
The Rams are a dome team. Or at least, they play in a very nice, very warm California stadium. Taking Matthew Stafford and that high-flying offense into a snowy Soldier Field is a total wildcard. The Bears are actually listed as the underdog in some spots despite being at home, which feels a little disrespectful given how well their defense has played lately.
What Happened Yesterday?
If you missed Saturday's action, you missed a classic. The Denver Broncos beat the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in an overtime heart-stopper. Bo Nix is officially a hero in Colorado after that one. In the later game, the 49ers and Seahawks renewed their rivalry in a game that lived up to the hype.
Because Denver won yesterday, they are officially waiting for the winner of the Texans/Patriots game for the AFC Championship.
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How to Watch if You Don't Have Cable
Look, nobody wants to miss these. If you're asking are there any nfl football games playing today because you're trying to plan your streaming subscriptions, here is the deal:
- YouTube TV or Fubo: Both carry ABC and NBC.
- Peacock: This is the exclusive home for the Rams/Bears game if you aren't using an antenna for NBC.
- ESPN+: You can usually catch the ABC/ESPN simulcast here for the early game.
- NFL+: Good for mobile viewing if you’re stuck at a kid's birthday party or something.
Looking Ahead to Next Week
The winners today don't get much time to celebrate. The AFC and NFC Championship Games are set for next Sunday, January 25. The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting very short.
If the Patriots win today, they’ll be heading to Denver. If the Texans win, they travel to the Mile High City. In the NFC, everything depends on whether the Bears can defend their home turf against the Rams' offensive weapons.
What to do now:
- Check your local listings to make sure ABC and NBC aren't blacked out in your area.
- Get the snacks ready by 2:30 PM ET so you don't miss the kickoff in Foxborough.
- If you're betting, keep an eye on that Chicago weather report; the "over" is usually a trap when it’s snowing.
- Make sure your Peacock login actually works before 6:30 PM so you aren't scrambling during the first drive.