If you’re wondering is there pro football on tonight, you're in luck. We aren't just looking at regular season filler; we are right in the thick of the NFL Divisional Round. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and the bracket is finally starting to make sense—or complete chaos, depending on who you ask.
The short answer? Yes. There are two massive games on the slate today that will decide who moves on to the AFC and NFC Championship games next week.
Last night already gave us a heart-stopping overtime thriller where the Denver Broncos edged out the Buffalo Bills 33-30. But that win was bittersweet. Bo Nix is officially out for the season with a fractured ankle, which basically changes the entire landscape of the AFC. Now, everyone is looking at the remaining four teams to see who can capitalize on a suddenly vulnerable Denver squad.
Tonight’s NFL Divisional Round Schedule
The NFL loves a good double-header on a Sunday in January. We’ve got an AFC clash in the afternoon followed by a frozen NFC battle in the evening.
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Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: ABC / ESPN / NFL+
- Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
This is a fascinating matchup. Mike Vrabel has the Patriots playing that classic, disciplined football that makes them a nightmare in the postseason. They enter as 3.5-point favorites according to most Vegas books. On the other side, DeMeco Ryans has the Texans looking dangerous. They didn't just stumble into the second round; they've been efficient and aggressive.
The winner of this game gets a trip to Denver next week. With Bo Nix out, the road to the Super Bowl suddenly looks a lot wider for either Houston or New England.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC / Peacock
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
This is the "ice bowl" of the weekend. If you’re checking the weather, it’s currently around 19°F in Chicago with snow showers expected. The Rams are actually 4-point favorites here, despite being the road team in a freezing environment.
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There’s a lot of talk about how the "warm weather" Rams will handle the Soldier Field elements. But honestly? This Rams team has been one of the most resilient groups in the league this year. They are 10-3 against conference opponents, while the Bears have been a bit shaky at home against NFC foes lately.
Why Today’s Games Matter More Than Usual
The Divisional Round is often called the best weekend of football in the entire year. The "pretenders" were weeded out during Wild Card weekend (sorry, Packers and Eagles fans). Now, we are left with the heavyweights.
What’s wild is the injury bug. We saw it yesterday with Denver, and looking at the report for the Bears tonight, it’s a bit of a mess. Chicago is missing T.J. Edwards (fibula) and Ozzy Trapilo (patellar tendon), among others. When you have that many starters on IR, depth becomes the only thing that matters.
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Is there pro football on tonight that actually lived up to the hype? Based on the way the Texans have been playing, that 3:00 PM window might be the game of the week. C.J. Stroud (if he stays on his current trajectory) against a Vrabel defense is basically a chess match with pads on.
Betting Angles and Things to Watch
If you’re looking at the totals, the Rams/Bears game has an Over/Under of 48.5. That feels high for a game played in 19-degree weather with snow. Interestingly, the under has hit in 6 of the last 9 Bears home games.
- Texans/Patriots: Watch the turnover battle. New England thrives on mistakes. If Houston plays "clean" ball, they can pull off the upset.
- Rams/Bears: Keep an eye on the Rams' running game. If they can establish the run in the snow, it negates the Bears' pass rush and keeps the Chicago crowd quiet.
Watching the Games Online
If you aren't near a TV, you aren't out of luck.
- NFL+ is the go-to for mobile streaming for both games.
- Peacock will have the Rams vs. Bears game exclusively if you’re a cord-cutter.
- Paramount+ usually carries the CBS games, but since today is ABC/NBC, you’ll want to stick to the ESPN app or Peacock.
Your Next Steps for Today's Games
The best way to prepare for kickoff is to check the final inactive lists, which usually drop about 90 minutes before the 3:00 PM ET start. Specifically, watch the Texans' offensive line status, as that will dictate how much time their QB has against the New England front.
After the Rams and Bears finish up tonight, the bracket will be set. We’ll know exactly who is headed to Seattle and Denver for the Conference Championships next Sunday. Grab your snacks, settle in, and enjoy the best Sunday of the year.