NFL Scores Today Sunday: What the Playoff Bracket Actually Looks Like Now

NFL Scores Today Sunday: What the Playoff Bracket Actually Looks Like Now

The Divisional Round usually feels like the real start of the postseason for the heavyweights, and honestly, this Sunday is proving that theory right. If you’ve been looking for nfl scores today sunday, you probably noticed the bracket just got a whole lot more interesting. We’re deep into the second round of the 2025-26 playoffs, and after yesterday’s chaotic results in Denver and Seattle, the stakes for the teams playing today are basically through the roof.

Look, nobody expected the 49ers to get absolutely dismantled 41-6 by the Seahawks last night. That was a bloodbath. It set a weird, high-pressure tone for today’s matchups. We have the Houston Texans visiting Foxborough and the Los Angeles Rams heading into the freezing winds of Chicago.

Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: The Drama in Foxborough

The early game today kicked off at 3:00 PM EST. The Patriots are the No. 2 seed for a reason—they finished the regular season 14-3 and have been nearly unbeatable at home. Drake Maye has basically transformed that offense, finishing the year 4th in passing yards ($4,394$) and 3rd in touchdowns.

But C.J. Stroud doesn’t care about your seeding.

The Texans came into this game after a dominant 30-6 win over the Steelers in the Wild Card round. They are playing with house money. As of mid-afternoon, this game is a chess match. It's 0-0 early, but the atmosphere at Gillette Stadium is tense. You've got two young quarterbacks who represent the future of the AFC, and the winner gets a plane ticket to Denver to face the Broncos in the AFC Championship.

Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams’ Moment

Later tonight, at 6:30 PM EST, we get the game everyone is talking about. The Rams and the Bears.

Chicago is a weird place to play in January. The forecast is calling for 18°F. That’s not exactly "Rams weather." Matthew Stafford led the league in passing yards this year with $4,707$ and a massive 46 touchdowns, but he’s facing a Bears defense that has been opportunistic as hell lately.

Think about Caleb Williams for a second. The kid threw for nearly 4,000 yards as a rookie and just led a 25-point fourth-quarter comeback against the Packers last week. That 31-27 win was legendary. Now, he’s hosting a divisional game at Soldier Field.

  • Kickoff: 6:30 PM EST
  • Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago
  • TV: NBC / Peacock
  • The Stakes: The winner travels to Seattle to face the red-hot Seahawks.

What Happened Yesterday?

To understand the nfl scores today sunday, you have to look at the wreckage from Saturday.

The Denver Broncos survived a 33-30 overtime thriller against the Buffalo Bills. It was one of those games where neither team deserved to lose, but the Bills’ postseason curse struck again. Josh Allen did everything he could, but the Broncos’ home-field advantage at that altitude is a real thing.

Then there was the Seattle game. Seattle (15-3) didn't just win; they made a statement. Rashid Shaheed took the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Kenneth Walker III ran for three scores. Sam Darnold—yes, playoff winner Sam Darnold—only had to throw for 124 yards because the defense was so dominant.

How the Bracket Stands Right Now

The AFC is currently waiting on the winner of Texans-Patriots. The Denver Broncos are already locked into the hosting spot for the title game. On the NFC side, the Seattle Seahawks are waiting at Lumen Field for whoever survives the cold in Chicago tonight.

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If you’re checking the nfl scores today sunday for betting purposes, keep an eye on the injury reports. Nico Collins is out for the Texans with a concussion, which is a massive blow to Stroud’s options. Meanwhile, for the late game, Rome Odunze is questionable for the Bears. If he can't go, DJ Moore is going to see a double-team on every single snap.

Watching the Games Live

If you aren't glued to a TV, here is how you track this:

The Texans vs. Patriots game is on ESPN and ABC. You can stream it on the ESPN app or via NFL+. For the nightcap, the Rams vs. Bears game is the NBC "Sunday Night Football" presentation, meaning it’s also on Peacock.

Basically, if you have a pulse and an internet connection, you can see the finish.

Actionable Next Steps for Fans

  1. Monitor the Weather: Check the wind speeds in Chicago around 6:00 PM EST; if they exceed 15 mph, the "Over" on total points becomes a very risky bet for Stafford's deep ball.
  2. Watch the AFC Transition: If the Patriots win, start looking at the New England vs. Denver lines immediately; the Broncos will likely be a 3-point favorite at home.
  3. Fantasy Playoff Leagues: If you have TreVeyon Henderson or Kyren Williams left, today is the day to lean on the run game as temps drop.

The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is narrowing. By tomorrow morning, only four teams will be left standing. Stay tuned to the live trackers as the second half in Foxborough gets underway.