If you woke up today, grabbed a coffee, and sat down on the couch expecting the usual 1:00 PM kickoff, you've probably noticed something is off. The TV guide is full of college basketball and infomercials instead of the shield. It's frustrating. Honestly, we’ve all been conditioned for years to expect that early window of football, but today—Sunday, January 18, 2026—the NFL is playing by a different set of rules.
We are officially in the heart of the Divisional Round. This is the weekend where the pretenders have been sent home and the remaining eight teams are fighting for a spot in the Conference Championships. Because it's the playoffs, the league abandons that massive "witching hour" slate where ten games are happening at once. Instead, they give every game its own dedicated national spotlight.
The actual NFL game today schedule
There is no 1 00 nfl game today because the league wants the entire country focused on two specific matchups later in the afternoon and evening. We are down to the elite few, and the scheduling reflects that.
Here is exactly when you need to be in front of the TV:
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
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- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: ABC / ESPN / ESPN+
- The Vibe: C.J. Stroud vs. Drake Maye. This is the future of the AFC right here. The Texans bring a defense that has been statistically the best in the league this year, allowing only 277.2 yards per game. On the other side, Drake Maye has been putting up MVP-type numbers for a New England team that finally looks like a powerhouse again.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC / Peacock
- The Vibe: This one is going to be gritty. It’s Caleb Williams hosting Matthew Stafford at Soldier Field. The weather report is already calling for freezing temperatures and potential snow in Chicago. The Bears are coming off a wild comeback win against the Packers, while Stafford is nursing a hand injury but still managed to slice up the Panthers last week.
Why the 1:00 PM slot disappeared
It feels weird, right? You’re used to the "RedZone" madness. But the NFL Divisional Round is designed for maximum ratings. By pushing the first game to 3:00 PM ET, the league captures the West Coast audience at noon and the East Coast audience as they finish up lunch.
Usually, the 1:00 PM slot is a regular-season staple because there are 32 teams to fit into a weekend. When you only have four games across two days (Saturday and Sunday), you don't need the morning window. Yesterday, we saw the Denver Broncos edge out the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime and the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantle the San Francisco 49ers 41-6. Those winners are waiting to see who they’ll face in the AFC and NFC title games next week.
If you’re looking for a 1 00 nfl game today, the closest thing you’ll find is the "Football Night in America" pre-game hype or college hoops. The NFL basically owns the night, not the morning, during the playoffs.
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What to watch for in Texans at Patriots
This 3:00 PM kickoff is a fascinating contrast in styles. You have the Houston Texans, who are basically a brick wall. They won a slugfest against Pittsburgh last week mostly because their defense scored twice. They don't need C.J. Stroud to throw for 400 yards to win, though he certainly can.
New England is the opposite. They’re playing at Gillette Stadium, and even though they beat the Chargers 16-3 in the Wild Card round, it wasn't pretty. Drake Maye had a few turnovers that nearly cost them. If they play that sloppy against Houston's secondary, the Texans will be booking a flight to Denver for the AFC Championship before the fourth quarter even starts.
The Soldier Field factor: Rams vs. Bears
The 6:30 PM game is where the drama lives today. Soldier Field in January is a nightmare for warm-weather teams. The Rams are a dome team coming from Southern California. Yes, Matthew Stafford spent years in Detroit, so he knows the cold, but his hand is clearly bothering him.
The Bears are riding a massive wave of momentum. Caleb Williams has looked every bit like the "generational" prospect he was billed as, especially during that second-half surge against Green Bay. The city of Chicago is buzzing, and that stadium is going to be loud. It’s basically a toss-up, but the weather might actually be the 12th man for the Bears today.
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Streaming and watching without cable
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. Since the first game is on ABC/ESPN, you can grab it on the ESPN app or Fubo. The late game is an NBC production, which means Peacock is your best friend.
Don't bother looking for the games on Paramount+ or FOX today; those networks had the Saturday slate. Today is all about the Disney and Comcast families of networks.
Your game day checklist
Since you have a few extra hours before kickoff, here is what you should actually do:
- Check the injury reports: Keep an eye on Stafford's hand. If he can't grip the ball in the Chicago cold, the Rams’ season is over.
- Sync your apps: Make sure your Peacock and ESPN+ logins are actually working so you aren't scrambling at 2:59 PM.
- Monitor the Chicago wind: The "Windy City" title is no joke. High winds at Soldier Field mean we’re going to see a lot of running plays and very few 50-yard field goal attempts.
- Watch the lines: The Patriots are slight favorites at home, but the Texans have been the "upset kings" all season.
There might not be a 1 00 nfl game today, but the two games we are getting are arguably the best matchups of the entire year. Set your alarms for 3:00 PM ET and get the snacks ready.