Honestly, if you're asking is there NFL today, you've probably already smelled the charcoal or heard the neighbor screaming at a TV. Yes. There is absolutely football today. We are deep in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, which—ask any real fan—is actually the best weekend of the entire year. Better than the Super Bowl? Kinda. The stakes are just as high, but the games are usually way more frantic.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If your couch is calling your name, it's for good reason. We have a double-header that basically covers the entire map, from the snowy history of Foxborough to the freezing winds of the Windy City.
The NFL Schedule for Sunday, January 18, 2026
The league didn't hold back on the scheduling today. We’ve got two massive games that will decide who moves on to the Conference Championships next week.
First up, at 3:00 PM ET, the Houston Texans travel to face the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. You can catch this one on ABC and ESPN. If you're looking for the Drake Maye vs. C.J. Stroud showdown that everyone has been talking about since the preseason, this is it. The Patriots are looking like their old selves again, which is frankly terrifying for the rest of the AFC.
Then, the nightcap. At 6:30 PM ET, the Los Angeles Rams are taking on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. This game is airing on NBC and Peacock. It’s going to be cold. Like, "frozen tundra" cold. There are already reports of snow showers and temperatures dipping down to 18° F. Watching Matthew Stafford try to sling it in a Chicago blizzard against Caleb Williams? That’s peak January football.
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Why the Texans and Patriots Game is Weirdly Intense
Most people expected the Patriots to be in a "rebuilding" phase for another few years, but Drake Maye had other plans. He’s been playing with a level of grit that reminds folks of the early 2000s. On the other side, the Texans defense has been a literal nightmare for quarterbacks this season. They allowed the fewest yards per game during the regular season.
It's a classic "unstoppable force meets immovable object" situation. If Houston can't rattle Maye early, the Foxborough crowd is going to make it a very long afternoon for C.J. Stroud.
Watching the Rams vs. Bears at Soldier Field
This is the one I’m personally stoked for. The Bears are the No. 2 seed in the NFC, and Caleb Williams has been living up to every bit of the hype. They just came off a nail-biter against the Packers in the Wild Card round—a 31-27 win that nearly gave half of Chicago a heart attack.
The Rams are the No. 5 seed, but don't let that fool you. They are the "team nobody wants to play" right now. They edged out the Panthers 34-31 last week. Matthew Stafford is a veteran who doesn't care about the weather, but the Bears’ home-field advantage at Soldier Field is real.
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- Kickoff: 6:30 PM ET
- Weather: 18° F with Snow Showers expected.
- Key Matchup: The Rams’ offensive line vs. the Bears’ pass rush in the slippery snow.
How to Watch and Stream the Games Today
If you aren't near a TV, you have plenty of ways to keep up. For the afternoon game, ESPN+ is the move. For the primetime game in Chicago, Peacock will be streaming the NBC feed live.
If you're stuck in the car or just prefer the old-school feel of radio, SiriusXM NFL Radio (Channel 88) has the national broadcast. The local feeds for the Patriots (Ch. 225) and Texans (Ch. 226) are also live if you want that hometown bias in your ears.
What Happened Yesterday?
In case you missed the Saturday action, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks have already punched their tickets to the next round.
The Broncos beat the Buffalo Bills in a 33-30 overtime thriller. It was wild. Jarrett Stidham had to step in for an injured Bo Nix (ankle) and somehow led them to a win. Meanwhile, the Seahawks absolutely dismantled the 49ers 41-6. Nobody saw that blowout coming.
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So, the winners of today’s games already know who they’ll be facing. The winner of Texans-Patriots goes to Denver to play the Broncos. The winner of Rams-Bears has to travel to Seattle to face a Seahawks team that looks unbeatable right now.
Actionable Tips for Today’s Games
If you're planning your day around the is there NFL today question, here’s how to handle it:
- Check the Weather Early: If you’re betting the over/under on the Rams-Bears game, keep an eye on that Chicago snow. Historically, heavy snow at Soldier Field kills the passing game and turns everything into a ground war.
- Sync Your Streams: If you’re watching on Peacock or ESPN+, remember there’s often a 30-second delay compared to cable. Turn off your Twitter notifications if you don't want the big plays spoiled.
- Monitor the Broncos Injury Report: Since the winner of the Texans/Patriots game plays Denver next, keep an eye on Bo Nix’s status. If he’s out for the AFC Championship, today’s winner has a massive path to the Super Bowl.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow. By the time the clock hits zero in Chicago tonight, only four teams will be left standing. Grab your snacks, find your spot on the couch, and enjoy the chaos.
Next Steps for Your Football Sunday:
Check the live injury updates for the Bears' linebackers before the 6:30 PM kickoff, as T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell are both currently on IR, which could leave the middle of the field wide open for the Rams' tight ends.