The couch is calling. You’ve got the wings ready, or maybe you're just looking for an excuse to avoid chores. But the big question—is there a football game on Sunday—usually depends on where we are in the calendar. Since today is January 18, 2026, we aren't just talking about any random weekend. We are deep in the trenches of the NFL postseason. This is the Divisional Round.
It's the best weekend of the year. Honestly, many die-hard fans prefer this to the Super Bowl because the quality of play is consistently higher and the desperation is palpable.
If you’re looking for a game today, you aren't just finding one; you’re getting a double-header that determines who moves on to the Conference Championships. The atmosphere in places like Buffalo, Kansas City, or San Francisco (depending on who clinched those home seeds) is electric right now.
The NFL Divisional Round: Sunday’s Heavy Hitters
Yes. There is absolutely football today.
Specifically, the NFL has scheduled two massive games for this Sunday, January 18. Usually, the league splits the Divisional Round across Saturday and Sunday. If you missed the action yesterday, don't worry. The Sunday slate is traditionally reserved for the highest-rated matchups because the networks—usually CBS and FOX—fight tooth and nail for these time slots.
Today's early game typically kicks off around 3:00 PM ET. This is often the AFC matchup if CBS has the rights, or the NFC if FOX is sliding into the early window. The late-night cap follows shortly after, usually around 6:30 PM ET.
It’s a long day. You'll spend about seven to eight hours on the sofa.
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The stakes? Massive. Winners go to the title games. Losers go home to clean out their lockers and start "mock draft" season. There is no middle ground here. We saw it last year with those heart-wrenching finishes—think about how the momentum shifts on a single missed tackle or a gust of wind on a 42-yard field goal attempt.
Why the Sunday Schedule Shifts Every Year
People get confused because the NFL likes to tinker. You can't just assume the "home team" always plays at a certain time. The league office and the broadcast partners (NBC, ESPN/ABC, CBS, and FOX) look at the ratings. They want the biggest stars—the Mahomes, the Strouds, the Purdys—in that prime-time Sunday night slot.
If you were asking is there a football game on Sunday back in October, the answer would be "Duh, there are fifteen." But in January? The inventory is low, but the value is high.
Back in the day, the schedule was rigid. Now? It’s a chess match. Flexible scheduling during the regular season has conditioned us to check our phones every five minutes to see if a game moved from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For the playoffs, though, these times are locked in about a week in advance.
What About College Football or Other Leagues?
Is there a football game on Sunday that isn't the NFL?
Probably not. At least, not one that’s going to be on at your local sports bar. College football is strictly a Saturday affair, ending with the National Championship earlier in January. If you’re looking for the UFL or other spring leagues, you’re too early. They haven't kicked off yet.
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Basically, today is all about the Shield.
Some fans keep searching for "Sunday Night Football" during the playoffs. Just a heads up: it’s technically not called "Sunday Night Football" in the postseason. That’s a regular-season brand for NBC. While NBC often carries a playoff game, the branding shifts to "The NFL Playoffs on NBC." It's a pedantic distinction, I know. But if you’re looking for the Carrie Underwood intro, you might be disappointed depending on which network has the late game today.
Watching Locally vs. Streaming
Gone are the days when you just turned on the TV and "found it."
If you're trying to figure out if there's a football game on Sunday and how to actually see it, you need to know your logins. Paramount+ usually handles the CBS games. Peacock handles the NBC games. Tubi? No. But FOX Sports usually requires a cable login.
It’s a mess.
If you are a cord-cutter, the best bet for Sunday playoff games is always a digital antenna. It’s old school. It’s cheap. It’s also the only way to get the game without a 30-second delay. There is nothing worse than hearing your neighbor scream because of a touchdown while your stream is still showing a huddle.
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- Antenna: Best for zero lag.
- YouTube TV / Fubo: Great for DVR-ing if you have to work.
- NFL+: Good for mobile, but usually restricted to phones and tablets for live local games.
The Misconception of the "Off" Sunday
Sometimes people ask is there a football game on Sunday during that weird gap between the Conference Championships and the Super Bowl.
Mark your calendar: Next Sunday is the Pro Bowl "Games."
Is that football? Barely. It’s a series of skills competitions and flag football. If you are looking for real, pads-popping, helmet-cracking NFL action, today is your last "normal" Sunday of the year with multiple high-stakes games. After today, the volume drops off a cliff.
How to Prepare for the Divisional Sunday
Don't just sit there. The Divisional Round is famous for "The Upset."
Statistically, the #1 seeds—who had a bye last week—sometimes come out rusty. It’s a real thing. The "Rest vs. Rust" debate is a staple of sports talk radio for a reason. Watch the first quarter closely. If the home team looks sluggish and the visiting team (who played last week and stayed in "game mode") strikes early, you’re looking at a classic Sunday playoff shocker.
Check your local listings for the exact kickoff. Usually, it's 3:05 PM ET and 6:40 PM ET.
Actionable Steps for Today's Games
- Check the Injury Report: By Sunday morning, the "Doubtful" and "Questionable" tags are finalized. If a star left tackle is out, that 3-point favorite might suddenly be in big trouble.
- Verify the Channel: Don't wait until kickoff to realize your streaming app needs an update or your subscription lapsed.
- Monitor the Weather: High winds in Buffalo or a soggy field in Santa Clara changes everything. Points go down, rushing attempts go up.
- Confirm the Time Zone: If you are on the West Coast, that early game is a 12:00 PM start. Don't wake up at noon thinking you've got time to make breakfast; you'll already be down by a touchdown.
The NFL Divisional Round is the peak of football strategy and drama. Enjoy the games today. They represent the final moments of the season where football feels truly ubiquitous before the long, dry summer begins.