If you woke up wondering are there nfl football games today, you’re in luck—it's one of the best days on the calendar. We are right in the thick of the Divisional Round. This is the weekend where the pretenders have been weeded out, the top seeds are finally seeing action, and the path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara feels incredibly real.
The short answer? Yes.
Two massive games are scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026. These aren't just regular-season matchups; we are talking about high-stakes playoff football with the AFC and NFC Championship berths on the line.
Today’s NFL Schedule: Who, When, and Where
The league has set up a perfect double-header for us. We’ve got an afternoon battle in Foxborough followed by a primetime showdown in the freezing wind of Chicago. Honestly, if you're a fan of young quarterbacks and legendary defenses, today is basically your Christmas.
AFC Divisional Round: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
This one kicks off at 3:00 PM ET. You can catch it on ESPN and ABC.
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C.J. Stroud and the Texans are heading into Gillette Stadium to face Drake Maye and the Patriots. It’s a fascinating matchup because both of these teams have moved past their rebuilding phases much faster than anyone expected. The Texans blew the doors off the Steelers last week, while the Patriots are coming off a bye as the No. 2 seed. Expect it to be loud. New England fans haven't had a home playoff game like this in a few years, and they are going to be rowdy.
NFC Divisional Round: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
The nightcap starts at 6:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock.
If you like "old school" vibes, this is it. Caleb Williams is leading the Bears at Soldier Field against Matthew Stafford and the Rams. The Rams survived a 34-31 thriller against the Panthers in the Wild Card round, and now they have to fly into Chicago where the forecast is calling for snow showers and a high of 19°F.
The Bears' defense has been top-tier lately, but Stafford has seen it all. It’s a classic "unstoppable force meets an immovable object" situation.
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Where to Stream and Watch
If you’re not sitting in front of a traditional TV, you’ve still got plenty of ways to keep up.
- Peacock: This is the exclusive streaming home for the Rams-Bears game tonight.
- ESPN+: You can stream the Texans-Patriots game here.
- NFL+ Premium: If you're on the move, you can watch both games live on your phone or tablet.
- SiriusXM: If you're stuck in the car, tune into Channel 88 for the national broadcast or specific team channels (226 for the Rams, 228 for the Bears).
What’s at Stake Today?
The winners of these two games move on to the Conference Championships next Sunday, January 25.
We already know half the bracket. On Saturday, the Denver Broncos took down the Buffalo Bills in an overtime nail-biter, and the Seattle Seahawks dominated the 49ers 41-6. Because Denver and Seattle are the No. 1 seeds, they will both be hosting their respective conference title games next week.
If the Patriots win today, they travel to Denver. If the Texans pull the upset, they go to the Mile High City. On the NFC side, whoever wins between the Rams and Bears has to pack their bags for a trip to Seattle to face that "demoralizing" Seahawks rushing attack we saw yesterday.
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Key Storylines and Betting Odds
Vegas seems to think the night game is going to be tight. The Rams are actually 3.5-point favorites on the road in Chicago. That might seem weird since the Bears are the higher seed, but the Rams' offense under Sean McVay is currently ranked #1 in the league in yards per game.
The total for the Rams-Bears game is sitting at 48.5, which feels high for 19-degree weather. Then again, both of these teams can score in bunches when they get hot.
In Foxborough, the Patriots are favored, mostly due to that home-field advantage and the extra week of rest. But C.J. Stroud has shown a total lack of fear in big moments. He’s already beaten some of the best defenses in the AFC this season, and the Patriots’ secondary will have its hands full.
Planning Your Sunday
If you're hosting a watch party or just settling in for a marathon, here is the quick checklist:
- Sync your apps. Make sure your Peacock and ESPN+ logins are actually working before kickoff.
- Check the weather. If you're betting or playing DFS, keep an eye on that Chicago wind. It can turn a passing game into a ground-and-pound struggle in minutes.
- Monitor Injuries. The Bears are missing some key pieces on defense, including T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, both on IR. This could be a huge factor for Stafford to exploit.
With the Divisional Round wrapping up tonight, the field of Super Bowl contenders will be cut from six down to four. By 10:00 PM tonight, we'll know exactly who is one win away from the big game in February. Enjoy the games.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the local forecast for Chicago about an hour before the 6:30 PM ET kickoff to see if the snow has started, as this will drastically impact the Rams' ability to use their high-flying passing attack. If the wind picks up over 15 mph, consider the "Under" on total points for that matchup.