If you're staring at your remote wondering exactly what time is Sunday Night Football tonight, you aren't alone. It's the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, which means the "normal" schedule you’ve followed all season basically went out the window. Tonight, January 18, 2026, the final spot in the NFC Championship is on the line, and the timing is slightly different than the standard regular-season window.
The primetime matchup features the Los Angeles Rams traveling to the frozen tundra—or at least the very chilly grass—of Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears.
The Exact Kickoff: What Time Is Sunday Night Football Tonight?
The game is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. CT).
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Usually, during the regular season, we're used to that 8:20 p.m. ET start time. But the NFL likes to move things up for the Divisional Round to make sure the celebration (or the heartbreak) doesn't bleed too far into Monday morning for the East Coast.
Honestly, the 6:30 p.m. slot is a sweet spot. You've got enough time to finish your afternoon wings but you aren't struggling to stay awake during the fourth quarter. If you're in Los Angeles, you’re looking at a 3:30 p.m. start, which is basically the perfect excuse for an early dinner.
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Quick Breakdown of the Schedule
- Matchup: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
- Kickoff Time: 6:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. CT / 3:30 p.m. PT
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
- TV Channel: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock
Where to Watch the Rams vs. Bears
Since this is the "Sunday Night Football" brand of the playoffs, NBC has the broadcast. You'll see the familiar faces of Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth in the booth.
If you’ve cut the cord, your best bet is Peacock. They stream the NBC feed live. You can also find it on NFL+ if you’re watching on a mobile device, or through services like YouTube TV, FuboTV, or Hulu + Live TV.
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Just a heads up: if you’re using a streaming service, there is often a 30-to-60-second delay compared to the cable broadcast. If your friends are texting you "OH MY GOD" before the play happens on your screen, you might want to flip your phone face down.
Why This Matchup Matters
The Bears are coming off a wild season where they finished 14-3, a massive jump from their 4-13 record just a year ago. They’ve turned Soldier Field into a genuine fortress. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford and the Rams just keep finding ways to survive. Stafford is playing through a sprained index finger, but the guy has played through worse.
Earlier today, we saw the Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET. The winner of tonight's Rams-Bears game will move on to face either the Seattle Seahawks or the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship next Sunday.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Kickoff
- The Weather Factor: It’s January in Chicago. While it might not be a "Fog Bowl," the wind off Lake Michigan always plays a role in the kicking game. Watch the warmups to see how the ball is traveling.
- Rams Injuries: Keep an eye on the Rams' offensive line. They've been shuffling bodies lately, and the Bears' pass rush is no joke.
- Pregame Coverage: NBC usually starts their "Football Night in America" pregame show at 6:00 p.m. ET, though they'll likely have updates throughout the afternoon game as well.
If you’re planning your night around the game, make sure the snacks are ready by 6:15. Once that ball is kicked at 6:30, it’s going to be a sprint to the finish.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your local NBC affiliate to ensure there are no regional programming conflicts, though this is rare for playoff games.
- Update your Peacock app now if you haven't used it in a while to avoid those annoying "update required" screens right at kickoff.
- Set your DVR for an extra hour if you aren't watching live; playoff games with overtime potential can easily run past the three-hour mark.