If you’re looking for the nfl schedule sunday today, you’re essentially looking at the gateway to the Championship round. We are officially in the heart of the Divisional Playoffs. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and the bracket has narrowed down to the heavy hitters. Forget the regular season records for a second. This is where legacies actually get forged.
Most people think the Divisional round is just another weekend of football. It isn't. Statistically, this is the weekend where the highest-seeded teams are most vulnerable because the adrenaline of the Wild Card round has worn off for the home teams, while the visitors are playing with house money.
The Afternoon Battle: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
The action kicks off in Foxborough. At 3:00 PM ET, the Houston Texans face the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. You can catch this one on ESPN and ABC.
It’s Drake Maye versus C.J. Stroud. That is a quarterback nerd’s dream.
Houston is coming off a complete demolition of the Steelers (30–6). Their defense didn't just win; they suffocated Pittsburgh. But New England is a different beast at home. The Patriots took care of the Chargers last week with a 16–3 scoreline that felt even more dominant than the scoreboard suggested.
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The Texans are the No. 5 seed, yet they don't play like underdogs. Stroud has this weird, calm energy in the pocket that bothers veteran defensive coordinators. New England, the No. 2 seed, relies on a front seven that basically dares you to try and run the ball.
If Houston can't establish a ground game early, it’s going to be a long, cold afternoon for them in Massachusetts.
The Primetime Frost: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
The nightcap is where things get truly "football-weather" interesting. At 6:30 PM ET, the Los Angeles Rams visit the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. This is a national broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
The forecast is brutal.
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We’re talking temperatures in the teens and a high probability of snow. For a Rams team that plays in a climate-controlled dome in Inglewood, this is a psychological test as much as a physical one. Sean McVay says they’ll adjust. Sure. Everyone says that until their fingers turn numb in the second quarter.
The Bears are the No. 2 seed here, led by Caleb Williams. He’s already a hero in Chicago after that comeback win against the Packers last week. He threw for 361 yards in that game—a franchise playoff record.
- Injury Watch: DJ Moore is cleared to play despite a knee scare.
- The Big Question: Will Rome Odunze be 100%? He’s listed as questionable with a foot injury, but the word around Halas Hall is that he’s going to gut it out.
- The Matchup: Matthew Stafford is a veteran who has seen everything, but Chicago's defense is ranked 9th in scoring. They hit hard.
Why the NFL Schedule Sunday Today Matters for the Bracket
The winners today don't just get a trophy; they get a date with destiny next Sunday, January 25.
Yesterday, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks already punched their tickets to the Conference Championships. Denver outlasted Buffalo in an overtime thriller, while Seattle absolutely dismantled the 49ers 41–6.
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So, here is the roadmap:
The winner of Texans-Patriots has to travel to Denver to face the Broncos next week.
The winner of Rams-Bears will head to the Pacific Northwest to play the Seahawks in Seattle.
It’s a tough road. Denver and Seattle looked like the best teams in football yesterday. If the Bears win tonight, they’ll have to deal with Sam Darnold and that "demoralizing" Seahawks rushing attack that Mike Macdonald has perfected.
Viewing Guide and Logistics
If you’re cord-cutting, your best bets are Peacock for the night game and the ESPN/ABC apps for the afternoon.
- 3:00 PM ET: Texans at Patriots (ABC/ESPN/ESPN+)
- 6:00 PM ET: Football Night in America (NBC)
- 6:30 PM ET: Rams at Bears (NBC/Peacock)
Honestly, if you're a betting person, keep an eye on the total for the Chicago game. That 48.5 over/under feels high given the snow forecast and the way Chicago's defense has been playing at home lately.
The Rams are currently 3.5-point favorites on some books, which is wild considering they’re the road team playing in a freezer. But that’s the Stafford factor. People trust the vet over the rookie in the snow.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your local weather if you're heading to Soldier Field—layers are not optional today. Confirm your Peacock login credentials now to avoid the 6:25 PM scramble. If you're tracking the AFC game, keep an eye on the wind speeds in Foxborough; it could significantly limit the deep shots for both Maye and Stroud, turning that game into a battle of field position and short-slant efficiency.