Look, we’ve all been there. You wake up on a playoff Sunday, the coffee is brewing, and you realize you have absolutely no clue which channel the afternoon game is on or if you actually need that extra streaming app you cancelled three months ago. The 2026 NFL Divisional Round is officially here, and the bracket has narrowed down to the final eight teams. It's high stakes. It's cold-weather football. And honestly, it’s probably the best weekend of the entire year for any self-respecting football fan.
If you’re hunting for the nfl games today: tv schedule sunday breakdown, you aren't just looking for a list of times. You want to know if the Texans' defense can actually stop Drake Maye, or if the Bears hosting a home divisional game for the first time in 15 years is going to turn Soldier Field into a complete madhouse.
Let’s get the logistics out of the way first because missing the kickoff is a rookie mistake.
The Sunday Lineup: Who, When, and Where
Sunday, January 18, 2026, features two massive matchups that will decide who moves on to the Conference Championships. We’ve got an AFC clash in the early window and an NFC showdown in the primetime spot.
The afternoon starts in Foxborough. At 3:00 p.m. ET, the (5) Houston Texans travel to take on the (2) New England Patriots. This one is airing on ESPN and ABC. If you’re a cord-cutter, you can find it streaming on ESPN+. It’s kind of wild to see the Patriots back in this position with a rookie quarterback like Drake Maye leading the charge. New England hasn't been this deep in the postseason since 2018, back when a certain guy named Tom was still under center.
👉 See also: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
Then, for the nightcap, we head to the Windy City. At 6:30 p.m. ET, the (5) Los Angeles Rams face off against the (2) Chicago Bears. This game is the big one on NBC. You can also stream it on Peacock if you’d rather watch on your tablet or laptop. The atmosphere at Soldier Field is expected to be electric, mostly because Bears fans have been waiting a decade and a half for a home game of this magnitude.
Quick Glance Sunday Schedule
The Houston Texans at New England Patriots game kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET. You can catch it on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN+.
Following that, the Los Angeles Rams visit the Chicago Bears. That kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET. Turn your dial to NBC or open the Peacock app.
Why the Sunday Schedule Matters This Year
Everything feels a bit different in 2026. The AFC side of the bracket is particularly top-heavy. The New England Patriots finished the regular season with a 14-3 record, earning them a home-field advantage that many experts didn't see coming back in August. Drake Maye has been a revelation. In his first career postseason start during Wild Card weekend, he threw for 268 yards and scrambled for another 66. He’s mobile, he’s got a cannon, and he doesn’t seem to care that he’s playing in the most pressurized environment in sports.
✨ Don't miss: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
On the other side, the Texans are leaning on a defense that basically carried them past the Steelers last Monday night. They sacked Aaron Rodgers four times in that game—yeah, Rodgers is still out there slinging it in Pittsburgh—and they scored two defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone. It’s a classic "unstoppable force meets immovable object" scenario.
Then you have the Rams and the Bears. The Rams knocked off the Carolina Panthers to get here, and they look like the dangerous veteran team no one wants to play. But Chicago? Under coach Ben Johnson, the Bears have become a machine. They just came off a 31-27 nail-biter against the Packers. The "nfl games today: tv schedule sunday" hunt usually leads people to the stats, but the real story here is the resurgence of these historic franchises.
Streaming vs. Broadcast: Don't Get Caught Off Guard
Technology is great until it isn't. If you’re planning to watch the games today, you need to make sure your apps are updated. For the 3:00 p.m. ET game on ABC/ESPN, you’re mostly safe with a standard digital antenna or any basic cable package. But for that 6:30 p.m. ET NBC game, Peacock is the primary streaming home.
Don't wait until 6:29 p.m. to remember your password.
🔗 Read more: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
- Antenna Users: You can get ABC and NBC for free over the air in most markets. Just make sure your scan is up to date.
- Mobile Watchers: The NFL+ app is actually a decent fallback. They usually offer every playoff game live on mobile devices, though they won't let you cast it to your TV.
- International Fans: If you're outside the U.S., DAZN is still the go-to for the NFL Game Pass.
What to Watch For in the Texans-Patriots Game
Most people are focusing on the quarterbacks, but keep an eye on the turnover margin. The Texans' defense led the league in takeaways during the regular season. They bait young quarterbacks into making "hero throws" that end up in the hands of their secondary. Drake Maye has been great, but he’s still a rookie. If Houston can frustrate him early, that 3:00 p.m. ET window might get ugly for the home crowd.
However, Gillette Stadium in January is a different beast. The grass is thin, the air is biting, and the ball feels like a brick. The Patriots have a massive advantage in the kicking game, and in a close playoff matchup, three points from a reliable kicker can be the difference between a trip to the AFC Championship and a very long flight home.
The Rams vs. Bears Primetime Dynamic
The 6:30 p.m. ET slot is where the stars come out. The Rams are coming in as the 5-seed, but they don't play like underdogs. Their offense can put up points in bunches. But the Bears' home-field advantage is legitimate. Soldier Field is notoriously difficult for visiting kickers because of the swirling winds off Lake Michigan.
If the Rams find themselves in a situation where they need a 45-yard field goal to win it late, you’re going to see a lot of nervous faces on that Los Angeles sideline.
Finalizing Your Sunday Football Plans
The nfl games today: tv schedule sunday is set in stone, but your viewing experience doesn't have to be a scramble.
- Verify your access to ABC (3 p.m.) and NBC (6:30 p.m.).
- If you're using streaming, log in to ESPN+ and Peacock at least 30 minutes before kickoff to handle any "mandatory" app updates.
- Check the weather reports for Foxborough and Chicago. Cold weather usually means more rushing attempts, which can actually speed up the game clock.
- Double-check your local listings if you live in a market that overlaps with other major sporting events, though the NFL usually takes priority.
The winner of the Texans/Patriots game will advance to face either the Bills or the Broncos in the AFC Championship. Meanwhile, the winner of the Rams/Bears game will move on to face the winner of the 49ers/Seahawks clash. We are officially two wins away from Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara. Enjoy the games, stay warm, and make sure the snacks are ready before that 3:00 p.m. whistle.