You're probably staring at your TV right now wondering which channel has the game. Honestly, the NFL playoff schedule can be a bit of a mess to track with games split across ABC, ESPN, NBC, and CBS. We are officially in the heart of the Divisional Round, and if you missed Saturday's action, you missed a bloodbath.
The Seattle Seahawks didn't just beat the 49ers; they embarrassed them 41-6. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos survived a 33-30 overtime thriller against the Buffalo Bills.
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But let's look at what's actually left. If you are asking what games are on nfl today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, we have the final two tickets to the Conference Championships up for grabs.
The Sunday Slate: Who Plays Today?
Today is a double-header that starts in the AFC and ends with an NFC North clash that feels like a throwback to the 80s.
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
- TV/Streaming: ABC, ESPN, ESPN+
This is a weird one. You've got the Texans, who basically dismantled the Steelers in the Wild Card round, traveling to face a Patriots team that has looked surprisingly disciplined under their new regime. The big storyline here isn't just the game—it's the health of the rosters. While New England took care of the Chargers last week with a 16-3 defensive masterclass, Houston is coming in hot with a high-flying offense that puts up points in bunches.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago
- TV/Streaming: NBC, Peacock
The nightcap is at Soldier Field. It's going to be cold, and the Bears are looking to defend their home turf against a Rams team that survived a 34-31 shootout with Carolina. Chicago has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2025-2026 season, clinching the No. 2 seed and playing a style of football that actually makes sense for January in Illinois.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Bracket
There is a common misconception that the No. 1 seeds—the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos—automatically get the easiest path.
That's not how the NFL works anymore.
Because Denver already won on Saturday, they are sitting back and watching the Texans vs. Patriots game with a very specific interest. If the Patriots win, the AFC Championship stays in Foxborough if they were the higher seed? No. Denver is the No. 1 seed, so the road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara goes through Mile High regardless.
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People often forget that the "re-seeding" happens every single round. The lowest remaining seed always travels to the highest remaining seed.
The Stakes for Super Bowl LX
Everything we are watching today leads to February 8, 2026. This year's Super Bowl is at Levi's Stadium.
If the Bears win tonight, they host the Seahawks next Sunday in the NFC Championship. If the Rams pull off the upset, they’ll be traveling to Seattle. On the AFC side, the winner of today’s afternoon game gets a date with the Broncos in Denver next weekend.
Real-World Odds and Nuance
Kinda crazy to think about, but the Broncos are actually the favorites to win the whole thing right now, even after that narrow escape against Buffalo. However, news broke late last night that Bo Nix might be dealing with a lingering ankle issue from that OT win. That changes the math. If he's limited, the winner of Texans-Patriots suddenly has a much wider window to make it to the big game.
Watching the Games: Where to Find Them
If you've cut the cord, you know the drill, but it's still annoying.
- The 3 PM Game: You can find this on ABC or ESPN. If you only have Disney+, check if your bundle includes the ESPN+ stream.
- The 6:30 PM Game: This is on NBC. If you don't have a digital antenna, you'll need a Peacock subscription.
- NFL+: For those on the move, the NFL+ app usually carries the local and primetime games on mobile devices.
Don't expect these games to be high-scoring blowouts like the Seattle game yesterday. The weather reports for both Foxborough and Chicago are calling for stiff winds. That usually means a lot of "ground and pound" football and a lot of frustrated kickers.
Actionable Steps for Today's Games
- Check the Weather: If you're betting or playing daily fantasy, keep an eye on the wind speeds at Soldier Field. Anything over 15 mph usually kills the deep passing game.
- Sync Your Apps: Make sure your Peacock login actually works before 6:30 PM. There is nothing worse than missing a kickoff because of a password reset loop.
- Watch the Injury Reports: Specifically, keep an eye on the Texans' offensive line. They had two guys go down against Pittsburgh, and New England's pass rush is no joke.
The winners of these two games will officially set the schedule for Championship Sunday on January 25. By 10:00 PM tonight, the field of four will be set.