It is officially the best weekend of the year for anyone who loves football. We are deep into the Divisional Round, and honestly, the stakes couldn't be much higher. If you've been refreshing your apps or arguing with your friends about who has the edge, you know that the nfl football schedule for sunday today is where the real drama unfolds. We are down to the final eight teams, and by the time the sun sets tonight, we’ll know exactly who is headed to the Conference Championships.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. This isn't just another slate of games. This is the "moving day" of the postseason. After the dust settled on Saturday's clashes in Denver and Seattle, we are left with two massive matchups that feel like they could go either way.
The NFL Football Schedule for Sunday Today: Who is Playing?
Basically, we have a double-header that splits the country between the AFC and the NFC. The league has spaced these out perfectly so you don't have to choose between them—you just need a comfortable couch and a clear schedule.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots (AFC Divisional Round)
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
- TV Channel: ABC / ESPN
- Stream: Fubo, ESPN+
This one is kinda fascinating. The Patriots are the No. 2 seed and they looked absolutely suffocating last week when they dismantled the Chargers 16-3. But don’t sleep on Houston. The Texans, led by their relentless defense, just steamrolled the Steelers 30-6. Historically, New England has owned this matchup at home, but Houston actually beat them at Gillette during the regular season back in October. It was their first win ever in that stadium. Will history repeat itself, or will the Foxborough mystique take over in the cold?
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Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (NFC Divisional Round)
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
- TV Channel: NBC
- Stream: Peacock, Fubo
Soldier Field in January. You sort of know what you’re getting here—wind, grass that feels like concrete, and a whole lot of noise. The Bears are the No. 2 seed and are coming off a heart-stopping 31-27 win over the Packers. They have all the momentum in the world. On the other side, the Rams are the road warriors. They edged out the Panthers 34-31 in the Wild Card round and Matthew Stafford looks like he's on a mission. This is a classic "immovable object meets irresistible force" type of game.
Why Today’s Schedule is a Massive Deal
Look, the Divisional Round is widely considered the best weekend of football because the "lucky" teams have usually been weeded out. Every team playing today earned their spot through fire. The winners move within one game of Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
You’ve got the Patriots trying to prove their dynasty isn't a thing of the past. Then you’ve got the Texans trying to become the new powerhouse of the AFC. In the late game, it's a battle of identities. Chicago wants to run the ball and hit you in the mouth. The Rams want to spread you out and let Stafford cook.
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Honestly, the weather in Chicago might be the biggest player on the field. If that wind off Lake Michigan starts howling, those deep Stafford passes become a lot more dangerous to throw.
How to Watch the Games Today
If you’re trying to catch the nfl football schedule for sunday today, you have a few options depending on your setup.
- Traditional Cable/Antenna: The early game is on ABC/ESPN. The late game is on NBC. If you have a pair of rabbit ears, you're mostly set.
- Streaming: For the Patriots-Texans game, you can use the ESPN app or ESPN+. For the Rams-Bears game, Peacock is your go-to.
- Live TV Services: Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV will carry both games since they include the local broadcast affiliates.
What Most People Are Missing About These Matchups
A lot of the "experts" are looking at the seeds and assuming the home teams (Patriots and Bears) have this in the bag. But if you look at the advanced metrics, the Texans and Rams are playing some of their best football right now.
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The Texans' defensive line is currently 2nd in the league in pressure rate over the last three weeks. That's a nightmare for any quarterback, even one as seasoned as the New England starter. Meanwhile, the Rams’ offense has been incredibly efficient in the "red zone," scoring touchdowns on 72% of their trips inside the 20-yard line during the postseason.
It’s easy to look at the logos and make a pick. It’s harder to ignore that the road teams today are actually statistical monsters.
Actionable Tips for Your Sunday Football Experience
If you want to make the most of the games today, here is what you should actually do:
- Check the Weather Reports: Keep an eye on the wind speeds in Chicago around 6:00 PM. Anything over 15 mph starts to seriously affect the kicking game and long-distance passing.
- Sync Your Audio: If you’re watching on a delay via streaming, try to stay off social media. There is nothing worse than seeing "TOUCHDOWN!!" on your phone 30 seconds before it happens on your screen.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Both the Bears and Patriots had key players limited in practice this week. Check the active/inactive lists 90 minutes before kickoff. A missing starting cornerback can change the entire betting line and game plan.
Get your snacks ready. The road to Super Bowl LX runs through Foxborough and Chicago today, and it is going to be a wild ride.