Football Games Today: The NFL Divisional Round Schedule
It's Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you're a football fan, you probably woke up with that specific kind of playoff buzz in your chest. Yesterday was absolute madness. We saw the Denver Broncos barely scrape by the Buffalo Bills in a 33-30 overtime thriller, while the Seattle Seahawks reminded everyone why they earned the NFC's top seed by dismantling the San Francisco 49ers.
But that was yesterday. Today is about who joins them in the Conference Championships. We have two massive NFL Divisional Round games on the slate, and honestly, the matchups couldn't be more different. You've got a classic AFC chess match in the afternoon and a "frozen tundra" style battle in Chicago for the nightcap.
Here is exactly what football games are on today and what time you need to be on your couch.
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
Kickoff Time: 3:00 PM ET
TV Channel: ABC / ESPN
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
This is the one everyone's talking about in the AFC. The Houston Texans are coming off a dominant 30-6 win over the Steelers in the Wild Card round, and they look dangerous. C.J. Stroud is playing with a level of poise that makes you forget he's still so young. On the other side, the New England Patriots have been waiting. They secured the No. 2 seed and had the luxury of watching the Wild Card chaos from home.
The big story here is the weather. It's January in Foxborough. It’s going to be cold, it’s going to be windy, and the Patriots thrive in that "ugly" style of football. Houston’s high-flying offense will be tested by a New England defense that specializes in taking away a team’s primary weapon. If you’re looking for a stream, you can catch this on ESPN+ or the ESPN app if you have a cable login.
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Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
Kickoff Time: 6:30 PM ET
TV Channel: NBC
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
This is the primetime game we deserve. The Chicago Bears are hosting their first home divisional playoff game in 15 years. Let that sink in for a second. Soldier Field is going to be rocking. Caleb Williams has been as advertised, leading the Bears to a 31-27 win over the Packers last week to get here.
They’re facing a Los Angeles Rams team that is essentially the "final boss" of veteran experience. Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay have been in these moments a dozen times. It’s a classic matchup of the young, hungry upstarts versus the battle-tested veterans.
You can watch this one on NBC, or if you’ve cut the cord, it’ll be streaming live on Peacock. Coverage starts early with Football Night in America at 6:00 PM ET.
What about College Football?
If you're looking for college ball today, you’re going to be disappointed. There are actually no college football games on today, Sunday, Jan. 18.
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The sport is currently in a holding pattern for the biggest game of the year. The College Football Playoff National Championship between the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers and the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes is set for tomorrow, Monday, January 19. That game kicks off at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Indiana is coming off a massive 56-22 win over Oregon in the Peach Bowl, while Miami took down Ole Miss in a 31-27 nail-biter in the Fiesta Bowl. It's a weird gap in the schedule, but it gives the NFL the full spotlight for today.
International Soccer (The "Other" Football)
For the fans who follow the global game, there is some action if you're willing to look past the NFL. The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 is reaching its climax.
The AFCON Final between Senegal and Morocco is scheduled for today at 20:00 local time (which translates to 3:00 PM ET) in Rabat. If you're a soccer fan, this is a heavy-hitter matchup featuring some of the best talent in the world.
There are also several domestic league matches happening across Europe, including the Scottish Premier League and various lower-tier English leagues, though most major Premier League and La Liga "Super Sunday" games have been adjusted due to the winter break schedules in some regions.
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How to Watch and Stream Today’s Games
If you’re trying to figure out the best way to catch the action without a traditional cable package, you have a few solid options:
- Fubo: Great for sports because it carries ABC, ESPN, and NBC.
- Hulu + Live TV: Includes all the channels needed for today’s NFL games.
- Peacock: Specifically for the Rams vs. Bears game tonight.
- YouTube TV: Often considered the gold standard for sports fans who want a DVR-like experience.
Basically, if you have a high-speed internet connection and a subscription to any of the major "skinny bundles," you've got everything you need to see what football games are on today and what time they start.
Actionable Tips for Game Day
Don't let the 3:00 PM ET kickoff catch you off guard.
First, check your local listings if you're using an antenna, as signal strength can fluctuate in cold weather. Second, if you’re planning on streaming the Bears game on Peacock, log in about 15 minutes early; high-traffic playoff games have been known to cause "login loops" for some users right at kickoff.
Finally, keep an eye on the injury reports coming out of Foxborough. There are rumors of a late-week flu bug hitting the Texans' offensive line, which could completely shift the betting lines and the flow of that 3:00 PM game. Enjoy the games—this is the best weekend of the year for football.