You're probably sitting on your couch right now, remote in hand, wondering is there an NFL football game today or if you’ve somehow missed the window for the weekend. Well, breathe easy. You haven’t missed it all yet. Today is 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" were weeded out during Wild Card weekend, and now we’re left with the heavyweights.
Honestly, the energy today is a bit different. Yesterday saw the Denver Broncos barely escape the Buffalo Bills in an overtime thriller, while the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantled the 49ers. Today’s slate features the final two tickets to the Conference Championships. If you're looking for the schedule, you’ve got two massive games on the docket.
The Sunday Divisional Schedule (January 18, 2026)
Basically, the NFL splits these playoff Sundays into a mid-afternoon slot and a primetime slot. Here is what the board looks like right now:
Game 1: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
- Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET
- Where to watch: ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+
- The Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
Game 2: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
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- Kickoff: 6:30 PM ET
- Where to watch: NBC and Peacock
- The Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago
It’s worth noting that the weather in Chicago is looking pretty brutal. We're talking 18°F with snow showers. If you love "old school" football where players are breathing steam and sliding across the turf, that nightcap is basically your Super Bowl.
Why Today’s Matchups Are Actually Fascinating
Most people focus on the big names, but the narratives today are kinda wild. In the early game, we’ve got C.J. Stroud and the Texans heading into the freezer of Foxborough. People keep waiting for the Texans' bubble to burst, but they’ve been on a 10-game winning streak. Stroud is playing like a ten-year veteran, not a young kid. On the other side, Drake Maye has officially brought the "Patriots Way" back to life. It’s the sophomore sensation versus the established rising star.
Then you have the Rams and the Bears. This is the Caleb Williams show. The Bears haven't had this kind of playoff buzz in years, and Soldier Field is going to be a madhouse. Matthew Stafford is still under center for the Rams, and he’s been through these wars before. It’s a classic "vet vs. rookie" showdown in a stadium that’s notoriously difficult to play in when the wind starts whipping off Lake Michigan.
Real-Time Inactives and Team News
If you're checking your fantasy lineups or just curious about who's actually on the field, the inactive lists just dropped about an hour ago.
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Texans Inactives: The big blow for Houston is WR Nico Collins. He’s officially out. That’s a massive target for Stroud to lose in a game where yards will be hard to come by. They're also missing Trent Brown on the offensive line, which might give the Patriots' pass rush a slight edge.
Patriots Inactives:
New England is relatively healthy, though they’ve got a few depth pieces on the shelf like DT Eric Gregory and TE CJ Dippre. Drake Maye has all his primary weapons, which is bad news for a Texans secondary that’s been playing over their heads lately.
Bears/Rams Health:
The Bears are missing some serious thump in their linebacker corps. Both T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds are on Injured Reserve. That leaves a lot of pressure on the secondary to contain a Rams offense that loves to exploit the middle of the field.
How to Watch if You’re Away from Your TV
If you aren't at home, you've still got options. For the afternoon game on ABC/ESPN, the ESPN+ app is your best bet. If you’re a cable cutter, Fubo or YouTube TV will have the local affiliates.
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For the night game, Peacock is the exclusive streaming home for the NBC broadcast. If you’re a mobile-only viewer, NFL+ carries all playoff games, but keep in mind you can only watch those on your phone or tablet—they won’t let you cast it to a 65-inch screen.
What’s at Stake?
The winners today don't just get a trophy; they get a date with destiny next Sunday, January 25.
- AFC Path: The winner of Texans/Patriots travels to Denver to take on the Broncos.
- NFC Path: The winner of Rams/Bears heads to Seattle to face the Seahawks.
Everyone is eyeing Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, but today is the "gatekeeper" round. The pressure is immense. One bad snap, one missed field goal in the snow, and the season is over.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning to watch, get your setup ready now.
- Check your local listings: NBC and ABC coverage usually starts an hour before kickoff with pre-game shows that actually give you the wind speed and field conditions.
- Sync your apps: If you're using Peacock or ESPN+, log in now to make sure you don't have a random password reset emergency five minutes before kickoff.
- Monitor the weather: Keep an eye on the Chicago forecast. If the snow picks up, the over/under for that Rams/Bears game (currently around 48.5) might be worth a second look.
Today isn't just another Sunday. It's the day the field narrows to the final four. Grab your snacks, settle in, and enjoy the ride.
The next milestone to watch for is the Conference Championship kickoff times, which will be finalized as soon as the clock hits zero in Chicago tonight.