We’re down to the final eight. Or, more accurately after yesterday’s slugfests, we’re down to the final six. If you’re waking up wondering about nfl games today on what channel, you’re looking at a massive Divisional Round doubleheader that’s basically a tale of two very different vibes. One game is a high-octane AFC clash in the afternoon, and the other is a frigid, old-school NFC battle in the Chicago cold.
Honestly, the Divisional Round is usually better than the Super Bowl. The desperation is higher, the matchups are tighter, and today—Sunday, January 18, 2026—the stakes couldn't be more real.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots: The Afternoon Slate
First up, we’ve got C.J. Stroud leading the Texans into Foxborough. It's a 3:00 PM ET kickoff. If you are hunting for this one, you need to find ESPN or ABC.
This isn't your older brother's Patriots team. With Drake Maye under center and Mike Vrabel steering the ship back home, Gillette Stadium has become a house of horrors for visitors again. The weather in Foxboro today is looking like typical January misery—low 30s, biting wind—which usually favors the home team. But Stroud has shown he can play anywhere.
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The broadcast team for this one is the "A-Team." You’ve got Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call, with Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge handling the sidelines. If you’re a cord-cutter, you aren’t left out. You can stream this via ESPN+, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV.
LA Rams at Chicago Bears: Primetime at Soldier Field
Once the sun goes down and the temperature drops even further, we shift to the Windy City. The Los Angeles Rams are taking on the Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET. This is the "Sunday Night Football" treatment, which means NBC is your destination.
Think about the contrast here. You have Sean McVay’s tactical, West Coast brilliance trying to function in a stadium that’s basically a giant freezer on the lake. Caleb Williams has the Bears believing this is their year, and after they handled Green Bay last week, the city is on fire.
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Since it’s an NBC game, the streaming side is handled by Peacock. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will be in the booth. Expect plenty of shots of fans without shirts on in 15-degree weather. It’s glorious.
Quick Reference: nfl games today on what channel
- Game 1: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes
- Streaming: ESPN+, NFL+, Fubo
- Game 2: LA Rams vs. Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC, Telemundo, Universo
- Streaming: Peacock, NFL+
What About the "ManningCast" and Alternatives?
People always ask if Peyton and Eli are doing their thing for the playoffs. For this Sunday's Texans-Patriots game, yes, keep an eye on ESPN2. The alternate broadcast has become a staple for fans who want a little more casual (and sometimes chaotic) commentary. It’s definitely better than listening to standard corporate filler if the game becomes a blowout.
If you’re looking for Spanish-language coverage, you’ve got options. ESPN Deportes handles the afternoon game, while Telemundo and Universo take over for the nightcap in Chicago.
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The Hardware: Using an Antenna in 2026
One thing most people forget: you don't actually need a $70-a-month streaming service to watch these. Since ABC and NBC are over-the-air broadcasters, a cheap $20 digital antenna from any big-box store will pick these up in HD for free.
Just make sure you scan for channels at least an hour before kickoff. Nothing ruins a Sunday like realizing your antenna is pointing the wrong way while the opening kickoff is mid-air.
The Playoff Picture After Today
The winners of these two games move on to the Conference Championships next Sunday, January 25. We already know the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks won their matchups on Saturday. If the Patriots win today, they’ll head to Denver. If the Texans pull the upset, they're Mile High bound.
In the NFC, the winner of Rams-Bears has a date with the Seahawks. Seattle looked dominant yesterday, so whoever survives the Soldier Field turf today is going to have their work cut out for them.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check your local listings: While the national channels (ABC/ESPN/NBC) are set, local channel numbers vary by provider (Comcast vs. Spectrum vs. DirecTV).
- Update your apps: If you're streaming on Peacock or ESPN+, log in now. Don't be the person resetting their password at 2:59 PM.
- Antenna users: Do a channel scan now to ensure NBC and ABC are coming in clear. Wind off the lake in Chicago or coastal gusts in Foxboro can sometimes mess with signal stability.
- Sync your audio: If you prefer listening to local radio calls (like the Patriots Radio Network) while watching the TV, use a DVR to pause the TV for a few seconds to sync the audio. It makes the experience ten times better.
The path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow. Enjoy the games.