So, you’re looking for the game. You've got the snacks ready, the lucky jersey is on, and you’re frantically scrolling through the guide asking what channel are the houston texans playing today?
Here’s the deal: They aren’t.
If today is Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Texans are currently in a plane or a hotel room in Massachusetts. While there is plenty of NFL playoff action happening right now—specifically the Bills taking on the Broncos and the 49ers facing the Seahawks—Houston fans have to wait exactly one more day to see C.J. Stroud and company take the field.
The Schedule Reality: What Channel Are the Houston Texans Playing Today?
Honestly, the confusion makes sense. It’s the Divisional Round. Usually, that means a weekend-long binge of football. But for this specific matchup, the NFL schedule-makers pushed the Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots game to Sunday, January 18.
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When the clock finally strikes 2:00 PM CT tomorrow, you won't need to hunt for some obscure streaming service. The game is being broadcast nationally on ESPN and ABC.
Basically, if you have a pair of rabbit ears from 1995 or a modern YouTube TV subscription, you’re good.
Why the Sunday Slot Matters
The Texans are coming off a dominant 30-6 dismantling of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round. That game was a Monday night special, meaning DeMeco Ryans and his squad actually needed this "late" Sunday slot just to get their bodies right. Playing on a short week is a nightmare. Playing on a short week in the freezing January air of Foxborough? That’s how seasons end.
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By playing tomorrow instead of today, Houston gets that extra 24-hour window for recovery.
Where to Watch (When Tomorrow Actually Happens)
Since you’re likely planning your life around this, here is the breakdown of how to catch the action once the Texans actually do kick off.
- Primary Channels: ABC and ESPN.
- Spanish Broadcast: ESPN Deportes.
- Streaming Options: ESPN+, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.
- Radio: SportsRadio 610 (for the local H-Town vibe).
If you’re stuck at a wedding or something equally unfortunate tomorrow afternoon, the ESPN app is going to be your best friend, provided you have your cable provider login handy.
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The Matchup: Patriots vs. Texans
The storyline here is wild. You’ve got the veteran-heavy aura of the New England Patriots against this explosive, young Houston roster. Everyone is talking about C.J. Stroud, and for good reason. The kid plays like he’s been in the league for a decade. But he’s going into Gillette Stadium—a place where playoff dreams usually go to die in the cold.
New England’s defense is no joke. They’ve been suffocating teams all year. However, the Texans’ offense has shown they can move the ball on just about anyone. The big question mark is the health of the roster. We already know the Texans will be without Nico Collins, who is sidelined due to a concussion suffered against the Steelers. That’s a massive blow. Collins is Stroud’s security blanket, and without him, guys like Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz are going to have to play the game of their lives.
Key Stats to Obsess Over
- Stroud’s Road Record: He’s been surprisingly resilient away from NRG Stadium.
- Patriots Defense: They lead the league in "disguised coverages," which is basically a fancy way of saying they try to trick young QBs into throwing picks.
- The Weather: Early forecasts for Foxborough show temperatures hovering in the low 30s. Not exactly Houston weather.
Looking Ahead
While you can't watch the Texans today, the games that are on will determine who Houston might face if they pull off the upset tomorrow. If you're wondering what channel are the houston texans playing today, remember to save that energy for the Sunday afternoon window on ABC.
For now, keep an eye on the injury reports coming out of the Texans' camp tonight. Roster moves are still happening, and how they fill that void left by Collins will be the difference between a trip to the AFC Championship and a flight back to Hobby Airport.
Next Steps for Fans:
Double-check your ESPN+ login today so you aren't fighting with a password reset screen five minutes before kickoff tomorrow. If you’re in Houston, the team is hosting an official watch party at NRG Stadium on Sunday—doors open at 12:30 PM, so you can watch the game on the big screen with a few thousand of your closest friends.