Honestly, if you're trying to keep your head straight between the Divisional Round chaos and the absolute madness of the MLB Hot Stove right now, I feel for you. It's January 18, 2026. Usually, this is the "dead zone" for baseball, but the way the contracts are flying, it feels like the middle of July. Meanwhile, the NFL is basically a heart attack in shoulder pads.
Yesterday was a bloodbath. If you missed the MLB scores nfl scores from the last 24 hours, you missed Denver basically ascending to god-tier status in the AFC and the Dodgers doing, well, exactly what the Dodgers do—spending money like it's going out of style.
The NFL Divisional Drama: Denver and Seattle are Moving On
Let’s talk about the Broncos. Seriously. Yesterday, January 17, they took the Buffalo Bills to the absolute limit. It wasn’t just a win; it was a 33-30 overtime thriller at Empower Field at Mile High. Watching Josh Allen try to carry that team on his back only to see Denver’s kicker (who’s been shaky all year, let’s be real) nail the game-winner was peak football.
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Then you had the nightcap. Seattle basically dismantled the 49ers. A 41-6 score? In a Divisional game? That’s not a playoff game; that’s a scheduled execution. The 49ers looked like they forgot how to tackle, and Seattle’s home-field advantage at Lumen Field was so loud it probably registered on the Richter scale.
Today, Sunday, January 18, we have the rest of the puzzle.
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- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: This one kicks off at 3:05 p.m. ET. Everyone is waiting to see if the Houston offense can actually crack that New England shell.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: Soldier Field at 6:40 p.m. ET. It’s going to be freezing. The "Windy City" factor is basically the 12th man for Caleb Williams and company tonight.
MLB Offseason: The "Scores" That Actually Matter
I know people say there aren't "scores" in the MLB in January, but when you see the contract numbers, it’s basically the same thing. The biggest "score" of the week? The Los Angeles Dodgers landed Kyle Tucker.
It wasn't even supposed to happen. Toronto and the Mets were fighting over him like the last toy on Black Friday. Then, out of nowhere, the Dodgers dropped a four-year, $240 million bag on the table. It’s wild. That’s an average of $60 million a year for an outfielder. Whether you love L.A. or hate them, you have to respect the audacity.
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Here is how the rest of the league responded to that bombshell:
- The Mets immediately pivoted. They weren't going home empty-handed. They snagged Bo Bichette on a deal that could go up to $126 million over three years.
- The Cubs finally got their man. Alex Bregman signed for five years and $175 million. Chicago needed a leader, and they just paid a premium for one.
- The Red Sox took the Bregman rejection and turned it into Ranger Suárez. Five years, $130 million for a lefty starter who knows how to pitch in the postseason.
Why Keeping Track of Both is a Headache Right Now
The overlap is weird. You’re checking the MLB scores nfl scores and seeing the Phillies re-sign J.T. Realmuto for $45 million while simultaneously watching the Bears try to figure out if their defense can stop Puka Nacua.
The biggest misconception people have right now is that the MLB offseason is "slow." It’s actually the fastest it’s been in a decade. We usually wait until Spring Training for these big names to move, but the 2026 cycle is front-loaded. Teams are terrified of being left with nothing, which is why we’re seeing "panic signings" like the Mets grabbing Bichette just hours after losing out on Tucker.
What to Watch for the Rest of Today
If you're sitting on the couch today, here is the roadmap. Keep the NFL game on the big screen, but keep your Twitter (or whatever we're calling it now) open for the MLB trade rumors. The Blue Jays are the only big players left with a hole in their pocket and no superstar to show for it. Expect them to make a massive push for Cody Bellinger before the sun goes down.
On the gridiron, keep an eye on the weather in Chicago. If the wind picks up, the Rams' passing game is going to struggle, and we might see a low-scoring slugfest that favors the Bears' ground game.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Injury Reports: For the Rams/Bears game, look at the late-scratch list. Cold weather leads to soft tissue injuries in warmups more often than you'd think.
- Watch the Pitching Market: With Ranger Suárez off the board, the price for Framber Valdez just went up 20%. If your team needs an ace, expect them to overpay in the next 48 hours.
- Update Your Brackets: If New England wins today, the AFC Championship is going through Foxborough. That changes everything for the betting lines next week.
The 2026 sports calendar is already proving to be one of the most chaotic on record. Between the Super Bowl looming in Santa Clara and the earliest MLB Opening Day in history scheduled for March 26, there is zero room to breathe. Grab some wings, settle in, and watch the chaos unfold.