Football Sunday. It's basically a secular holiday at this point, isn't it? If you're hunting for football games today where to watch, you've probably noticed that the stakes are higher than a nosebleed seat at SoFi. We aren't just talking about mid-season filler anymore. It is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and the NFL Divisional Round is reaching its fever pitch while the European leagues are in that gritty mid-winter grind where titles are actually won or lost.
Honestly, trying to figure out which app owns which game is enough to make anyone want to throw their remote through the drywall. One minute you're on Peacock, the next you're scrambling for an ESPN+ login. It's a mess. But don't worry. I’ve done the legwork so you can just focus on the wings and the wagers.
NFL Divisional Round: The Big Ones
Today is huge. The AFC and NFC are being whittled down to the final four. If you're looking for the NFL portion of football games today where to watch, here is the breakdown of the two massive matchups deciding who moves one step closer to Super Bowl LX.
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
This one kicks off at 3:00 PM ET. It’s a fascinating matchup because you've got C.J. Stroud taking that high-powered Texans offense into the chilly confines of Gillette Stadium. The Patriots, under Drake Maye, have somehow clawed their way back to a 14-3 record this season.
✨ Don't miss: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
- TV Channel: ABC and ESPN
- Live Stream: ESPN+, Fubo, and the ESPN app
LA Rams vs. Chicago Bears
Later tonight, at 6:30 PM ET, the action shifts to Soldier Field. Caleb Williams vs. Matthew Stafford. Old guard meets the new era. This game is going to be cold, windy, and probably beautiful for anyone who loves "big boy" football. Coverage starts early with Football Night in America at 6:00 PM ET.
- TV Channel: NBC
- Live Stream: Peacock (This is exclusive for streaming—no Peacock, no Caleb Williams)
Across the Pond: European Football Schedule
Maybe you’re an early riser. If you were looking for football games today where to watch before the sun was even up, the Premier League and La Liga have some absolute crackers on the menu.
In the English Premier League, Wolverhampton faces Newcastle (9:00 AM ET) and Aston Villa hosts Everton (11:30 AM ET). Both are airing on USA Network and Telemundo. If you're a cord-cutter, you’ll need Sling Blue or DirecTV Stream to catch these without a traditional cable box.
🔗 Read more: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
Over in Spain, the big story is Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona. Barca is currently protecting a four-point lead at the top of the table. That match kicks off at 3:00 PM ET—exactly the same time as the Patriots game. Decisions, decisions. You can stream every single La Liga match today via the ESPN app (specifically the new ESPN Select tier).
Italy’s Serie A is also busy. AC Milan vs. Lecce is the primetime slot in Europe (2:45 PM ET in the States). For the Serie A fans, Paramount+ is still the undisputed home for every match, though DAZN has the Spanish-language rights now.
The Streaming Maze: What You Actually Need
Let’s be real—the "where to watch" part of football is getting expensive. To see everything today, you'd technically need a mortgage-sized list of subscriptions.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With Nick Chubb: The Injury, The Recovery, and The Houston Twist
If you want the most bang for your buck, Fubo is usually the "nuclear option" because it carries ABC, NBC, and USA Network. However, it won't give you the Peacock exclusives or the ESPN+ standalone content.
- Peacock: Mandatory for the Rams-Bears game tonight.
- ESPN+: Essential for the Bundesliga (like Stuttgart vs. Union Berlin at 9:30 AM ET) and the Spanish matches.
- Paramount+: The only way to catch Torino vs. Roma or AC Milan today.
- beIN SPORTS: If you’re looking for Ligue 1 (Lyon vs. Brest is at 2:45 PM ET), you’ve got to have this. Most people get it through a sports add-on on Sling or Fubo.
Why Today Matters
We often ignore the January 18th slate as just another Sunday, but for the NFL, this is the "sifting" weekend. Statistically, teams that win the Divisional Round at home have a massive advantage heading into the Championship games next week. For the Houston Texans, a win today would be a historic "arrival" moment for Stroud. For the Pats? It's about proving the dynasty isn't just a memory.
On the soccer side, the "Winter Break" is a thing of the past. The physical toll on players right now is immense. Watching how Barcelona handles the travel to San Sebastian today will tell us a lot about whether they have the depth to actually hold off Real Madrid through May.
Making the Most of Your Sunday
Stop searching and start watching. If you’re juggling multiple games, my advice is to use a "second screen" setup. Put the NFL on the big TV and keep the Premier League or La Liga going on a tablet.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your logins now. Don't wait until 3:01 PM to realize your ESPN+ password expired.
- Download the Peacock app on your smart TV if you haven't yet; the Bears-Rams game is the biggest draw of the night and it’s a pain to set up last minute.
- Sync your fantasy lineups. If you're playing Playoff Challenge or Daily Fantasy, double-check the weather in Chicago—it’s looking like a "run the ball" kind of night.