January football hits differently. It’s that time of year when the air in places like Foxborough and Chicago turns into a physical weight, and every single snap feels like it could ruin a city’s week. If you’ve been watching the NFL playoff games this cycle, you know the script has basically been thrown out the window. We’re in the thick of the Divisional Round right now, and honestly, if you predicted a Bo Nix-led Denver Broncos team would be the first to punch a ticket to the AFC Championship, you’re either a liar or a time traveler.
Saturday already gave us a masterclass in why the regular season is just a long, expensive preamble. The Broncos outlasted the Buffalo Bills in a 33-30 overtime heart-stopper, while the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantled the San Francisco 49ers 41-6. But today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, is where the real grit shows up. We’ve got two massive matchups left to decide who moves on to the Conference Championships next week.
Today's NFL Playoff Games: Who’s Playing and How to Watch
If you’re scrambling to find the remote or wondering which streaming service you actually need today, let’s simplify it. We are looking at two games that couldn't be more different in terms of "vibes."
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Channel: ABC / ESPN
The Story: This is the "New Era" bowl. You’ve got C.J. Stroud, who has basically become the face of the AFC South, taking his Texans into Gillette Stadium to face Drake Maye and the Patriots. It’s the first real deep playoff run for New England since Tom Brady left, and the atmosphere in Foxborough is reportedly electric. Houston is coming off a dominant 30-6 win over the Steelers, and their defense—which allowed the fewest yards in the league this year—is looking to rattle Maye early.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
Time: 6:30 PM ET
Channel: NBC / Peacock
The Story: This is the late-night slugfest. Caleb Williams vs. Matthew Stafford. Youth vs. Experience. The Bears survived a scare against the Packers last week (31-27), while the Rams narrowly beat the Panthers (34-31). Soldier Field is going to be freezing, and how Stafford’s veteran arm handles the wind against a rejuvenated Bears secondary is basically the only thing people are talking about in the local bars.
Why the 2026 Bracket is Breaking Everyone’s Brain
Usually, by the Divisional Round, we have a clear idea of who the "heavyweights" are. This year? Not so much. The No. 1 seeds—the Broncos in the AFC and the Seahawks in the NFC—both looked vulnerable at points during the season, yet Seattle just put 41 points on a 49ers defense that was supposed to be elite.
People often get the "rest vs. rust" argument wrong. We saw the Broncos struggle early on Saturday after their bye week, needing a Will Lutz field goal in OT to survive. Meanwhile, the Seahawks, who also had the week off, looked like they hadn't missed a beat. It’s a coin flip. If the Patriots or Bears win today, they’ll be heading into the Championship round with a massive amount of momentum, which is often more valuable than a week on the couch.
The Quarterback Landscape: Rookies and Vets
The narrative for this year's NFL playoff games has centered almost entirely on the signal-callers. We are witnessing a massive transition of power.
- Drake Maye: He’s playing with a level of poise that reminds New England fans of the "old days," but without the veteran supporting cast Brady used to have.
- Caleb Williams: He threw three straight touchdowns in the fourth quarter to beat Green Bay. He’s the first Bears QB in decades who looks like he actually wants the ball when the game is on the line.
- Bo Nix: Even with an ankle injury that might sideline him for the AFC Championship, his performance against Buffalo proved he belongs in the conversation.
- The Old Guard: Matthew Stafford is basically the last man standing for the "thirty-something" crowd. If he can guide the Rams through the frozen tundra of Chicago, it will be one of the gutsiest performances of his career.
Betting Trends and What the "Sharps" are Seeing
If you’re looking at the lines, you’ve probably noticed the spreads are razor-thin. For the Texans-Patriots game, most books have New England as a slight 2.5-point favorite. That’s essentially a "home field advantage" line, meaning the oddsmakers think these teams are dead even on a neutral field.
The over/under for the Rams-Bears game has been dropping all morning because of the wind forecasts in Chicago. It started around 45.5 and has dipped closer to 42 in some spots. If you like defense and punting, that’s your game. But honestly, with the way Caleb Williams has been playing, betting against the "over" feels like playing with fire.
What Actually Happens Next?
Winner stays, loser goes home. That’s the beauty of the system.
The winner of the Texans/Patriots game will travel to Denver next Sunday, January 25, to face the Broncos for the AFC title. Over in the NFC, the winner of Rams/Bears will head to Seattle to take on a Seahawks team that looks absolutely terrifying right now.
It all leads to Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 8.
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Practical Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning to catch the rest of the action, here is how you should prep:
- Check your subscriptions: If you're watching the Rams and Bears, you must have access to NBC or a Peacock subscription. If you’re relying on a digital antenna, make sure it’s positioned toward your local broadcast tower to avoid signal dropouts during the fourth quarter.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep an eye on the Denver Broncos' news cycle. If Bo Nix can't go next week, Jarrett Stidham becomes the most important player in the AFC. That will shift the betting lines significantly.
- Sync your Schedule: Next Sunday's games are set for 3:05 PM ET (AFC) and 6:40 PM ET (NFC). Clear your calendar now because the Championship round is rarely this wide open.
- Update your Apps: If you're using the NFL+ or ESPN apps, ensure they are updated. Nothing is worse than a "forced update" screen right when a team is lining up for a game-winning drive.
The road to Santa Clara is getting narrow. Whether it's a rookie phenom or a grizzled veteran hoisting the trophy in February, the games today will define the legacy of the 2025-26 season.