Honestly, the NFL postseason is a bit of a chaotic masterpiece. By the time we hit January, everyone thinks they have the bracket figured out, but then a team like the Chicago Bears—led by Caleb Williams—pulls off a Wild Card upset that resets the entire board. If you're looking for the hard facts on nfl playoff dates and times, you've come to the right place. We are currently in the thick of the 2026 Divisional Round, and the stakes haven't been this high in years.
People always mess up the timing. They assume every game is on a Sunday or that the kickoff times are uniform across the weekends. They aren't. Between the "Monday Night Football" Wild Card finale and the staggered starts of the Divisional matchups, keeping track of the 2025-26 postseason requires a literal map.
The Divisional Round Grind: Who is Playing Today?
We just watched the Denver Broncos edge out the Buffalo Bills in a 33-30 overtime thriller on Saturday. It was one of those games that makes you question why you ever doubted Bo Nix in the clutch. Later that night, the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantled the San Francisco 49ers 41-6. It wasn't even close.
But if you are checking your watch for today, Sunday, January 18, here is the deal. We have two massive matchups left to determine the Conference Championship participants.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: This kicks off at 3:05 p.m. ET. You can catch it on ESPN and ABC. If you’re a cord-cutter, it’s streaming on ESPN+. This is basically the "Old Guard vs. New Guard" game.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: This is the primetime slot at 6:40 p.m. ET. It’s airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Seeing the Bears back at Soldier Field for a divisional home game for the first time in fifteen years? That atmosphere is going to be electric.
The winners of these two games move on to the penultimate stage. It's kinda wild to think that by tomorrow morning, only four teams will be left standing in the entire league.
The Conference Championships: January 25
Once today's dust settles, we move to the Conference Championships. This is where the real "nerves of steel" come into play. Both games are set for next Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The AFC Championship Game is scheduled for the early slot at 3:05 p.m. ET on CBS. The Denver Broncos are already waiting for the winner of the Texans-Patriots game. If the Patriots win today, they’ll have to head to the thin air of Mile High.
👉 See also: AC Milan vs Napoli: What Most People Get Wrong About the Scudetto Fight
Over on the NFC side, the Seattle Seahawks are lurking. They’ll play the winner of the Rams-Bears game at 6:40 p.m. ET on FOX. Since Seattle is the No. 1 seed, they’ll be hosting at Lumen Field. Good luck to whoever has to go into that "12th Man" noise.
Super Bowl LX: The Finish Line in Santa Clara
The whole road leads to Levi’s Stadium. Super Bowl LX is happening on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. ET, and NBC has the broadcast rights this year.
It’s the second time the 49ers' home turf has hosted the big game, and the league is going all out. Bad Bunny is headlining the halftime show, which has caused a bit of a stir among the traditionalists, but the NFL is clearly aiming for that global reach.
💡 You might also like: Why the New England Sports Center is Actually the Center of the Hockey Universe
A Quick Look Back: What Happened in the Wild Card?
To understand why the current nfl playoff dates and times look the way they do, you have to see how we got here. The Wild Card round was a bloodbath for several favorites.
- Saturday, Jan 10: The Rams beat the Panthers 34-31 in a nail-biter, while the Bears took down the Packers 31-27.
- Sunday, Jan 11: Buffalo squeezed past Jacksonville 27-24. San Francisco beat Philly 23-19. The Patriots dominated the Chargers 16-3.
- Monday, Jan 12: The Texans crushed the Steelers 30-6, proving that C.J. Stroud is very much "that guy."
Mapping Your Viewing Schedule
If you're planning a party or just trying to make sure you don't miss a snap, you basically need to clear your Sundays for the next few weeks.
- Divisional Finale: Today, Jan 18. Games at 3:05 p.m. and 6:40 p.m. ET.
- Championship Sunday: Jan 25. Games at 3:05 p.m. and 6:40 p.m. ET.
- The Pro Bowl Break: There's a gap week. The Pro Bowl Games happen on Feb 3 in San Francisco.
- Super Bowl Sunday: Feb 8. The big one starts at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Most people get confused about the streaming rights. Basically, if it's on CBS, it's on Paramount+. If it's on NBC, it's on Peacock. If it's on FOX, you usually need a cable login for their app, though some games have appeared on "FOX One" lately.
🔗 Read more: WWE Crown Jewel 2025: Why This Year's Date and Move to Perth Changes Everything
The biggest takeaway for fans right now is that the bracket is shifting toward a heavy-defense narrative. Seattle’s 41-6 win over the Niners wasn't just a victory; it was a statement. Whether you're rooting for a rookie QB like Caleb Williams or a veteran squad like the Rams, the schedule is the only thing that stays fixed. Everything else is up for grabs.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check your local listings if you are in the Pacific Time Zone, as those 3:05 p.m. ET starts mean 12:05 p.m. PT for you—don't start the grill too late.
- Download the Peacock and Paramount+ apps now if you don't have cable, as the Divisional and Super Bowl games rely heavily on these platforms for mobile streaming.
- Clear your calendar for February 8; the Super Bowl LX pre-game coverage usually starts as early as noon ET, even though the actual game doesn't kick off until 6:30 p.m.