You've got the wings marinating, the jersey is clean for once, and the group chat is already vibrating with trash talk. But then that one friend asks the dreaded question: what time is the nfl game on sunday? If you don't know the answer, you're the one holding up the show.
Honestly, the NFL's divisional round schedule can be a bit of a moving target until the very last second. But here we are, January 18, 2026, and the bracket is set. We are down to the elite eight. No more fluff. No more "maybe next year" for the teams still standing. Today is about the heavy hitters in the AFC and NFC fighting for a spot in the Championship games.
The Sunday Schedule: Kickoff Times and Channels
If you're looking for the quick answer to what time is the nfl game on sunday, you actually have two windows to worry about. The NFL doesn't just give us one game; they give us a double-header of high-stakes playoff football.
The first game kicks off at 3:00 PM ET. This is the AFC clash. The Houston Texans are heading up to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots. It’s airing on ABC and ESPN. If you’re a Drake Maye believer or a C.J. Stroud fan, this is your afternoon sorted.
Then, we transition to the nightcap. The second game starts at 6:30 PM ET. This one is the NFC side of the bracket, featuring the Los Angeles Rams at the Chicago Bears. You can catch this one on NBC or stream it on Peacock. Seeing Caleb Williams lead the Bears into a home divisional game at Soldier Field is basically what Chicago fans have been dreaming about for a decade.
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Quick Sunday Cheat Sheet
- 3:00 PM ET: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (ABC/ESPN)
- 6:30 PM ET: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (NBC/Peacock)
Why This Sunday Is Different
Most people get wrong that the Divisional Round is just another weekend of football. It's actually the most competitive weekend of the entire year. Why? Because the No. 1 seeds—the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks this year—have already played their games on Saturday. Sunday is where the survivors of the Wild Card round try to prove they aren't just fluke winners.
The Texans are coming off a dominant 30-6 win against the Steelers. They look scary. But they're walking into Gillette Stadium, a place where playoff dreams usually go to die. The Patriots' defense only allowed 3 points last week. Three. That's a field goal and nothing else.
Meanwhile, the Rams and Bears is a matchup of "new vs. old" in a weird way. Matthew Stafford is the veteran who has seen it all, including a Super Bowl ring. Caleb Williams is the kid who just knocked off the Packers in a thriller. It’s a classic contrast.
The Logistics: Don't Get Caught Without a Stream
If you’re not sitting in front of a traditional cable box, you need a plan.
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For the 3:00 PM game, ABC/ESPN is the home. You can use the ESPN app, but you'll need a provider login. If you've cut the cord, FuboTV or YouTube TV are your best bets.
The 6:30 PM game is on NBC. This is actually easier for a lot of people because of Peacock. If you have a subscription, you’re golden. If you still use an over-the-air antenna, NBC is free. Just make sure the signal is clear before kickoff because missing a touchdown because of "ghosting" on the screen is a tragedy no fan should endure.
What Most People Get Wrong About Sunday Games
There’s this weird myth that playoff games always start later than regular season games. Not true. The NFL likes these specific windows—3:00 and 6:30. If you show up at 4:00 PM thinking you've only missed the first few minutes, you’re going to be halfway through the second quarter.
Another thing: the weather. Foxborough in mid-January is basically an ice box. Chicago’s Soldier Field? Worse. This isn't just about who has the better quarterback. It's about who can hold onto the ball when their fingers feel like frozen sausages. Keep an eye on the pre-game reports around 1:00 PM ET. If the wind picks up in Chicago, that 6:30 PM game becomes a ground-and-pound affair.
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Making Your Plan
To actually enjoy the day without stress, here is what you should do right now:
- Check your local listings for ABC and NBC to ensure you haven't had a "blackout" or provider dispute.
- Sync your clocks. If you're on the West Coast, your times are 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM. Don't be that person who tunes in at 3:00 PM PT only to see the highlights of the first game.
- Prepare for the "Flexible" Finish. NFL playoff games rarely end in exactly three hours. If the Texans and Patriots go to overtime, the Rams/Bears game might start its broadcast on a secondary channel like USA Network or simply be delayed on the main feed.
The Divisional Round is where legends are made. Whether it's the Texans' young core or the Bears' resurgence, Sunday is going to be loud. Now you know exactly what time to be on the couch.
Download the NFL app and set notifications for "Game Start" to ensure you don't miss the opening kickoff at 3:00 PM ET.