Today is one of those rare, perfect sports days where the couch basically becomes your permanent residence. We’ve hit the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, which is—honestly—usually a lot more exciting than the Super Bowl itself because the stakes are high but the desperation is higher.
If you are looking for the exact times for the football games today, you've probably noticed that the schedule is split between some massive AFC/NFC playoff matchups and a heavy slate of European soccer that’s already been rolling since early this morning.
NFL Divisional Round: The Big Two
The NFL is down to the final eight, and today’s doubleheader decides who moves on to the conference championships next week.
First up, we have the Houston Texans taking on the New England Patriots. This one kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. CT). You can catch this broadcast on ABC and ESPN. It’s a fascinating matchup because the Texans have been playing like they have nothing to lose, while the Patriots are trying to prove that their postseason experience still carries weight in a league that's getting younger and faster every year.
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Then, for the nightcap, it’s the Los Angeles Rams at the Chicago Bears. This game is set for 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. CT) and will be aired on NBC and Peacock. Soldier Field is expected to be cold—forecasts are calling for temperatures around 19°F with some snow showers—which is exactly the kind of atmosphere Bears fans live for. Caleb Williams has been efficient, but Matthew Stafford and the Rams' passing attack have been the most prolific unit in the league this season. Seeing how Stafford handles the Chicago wind will be the story of the night.
Soccer Across the Pond
If you’re reading this in the morning, the European leagues are already deep into their Sunday fixtures. The Premier League has a massive double-bill today. Wolverhampton Wanderers hosted Newcastle United earlier, but the big one to watch is Aston Villa vs. Everton at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Over in Spain, La Liga is running all day. Atletico Madrid vs. Alaves kicked off at 10:15 a.m. ET, but the match everyone is circling is Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona, which starts at 3:00 p.m. ET. If you’re a fan of tactical, high-pressing soccer, that’s your game, though it does overlap directly with the Texans/Patriots kickoff. Decisions, decisions.
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In Italy’s Serie A, AC Milan faces Lecce at 2:45 p.m. ET. Milan has been trying to keep pace at the top of the table, and these "trap games" against lower-half teams are usually where things get weird.
College Hoops and Other Action
While it’s not "football" in the pigskin sense, a lot of people looking for times for the football games today are also tracking the NCAA basketball schedule. There are some heavy hitters on the court. Florida Atlantic plays Temple at noon ET on ESPNU, and Wichita State takes on South Florida at 2:00 p.m. ET.
The biggest game of the day in college hoops is likely Houston vs. Arizona State, which tips off at 6:30 p.m. ET. It’s a tough overlap with the Bears game, so hopefully you have a two-screen setup ready to go.
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Quick Glance Schedule for Today
- 3:00 p.m. ET: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (NFL) - ABC/ESPN
- 3:00 p.m. ET: Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona (La Liga) - ESPN+
- 3:45 p.m. ET: Feyenoord vs. Sparta Rotterdam (Eredivisie)
- 6:30 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (NFL) - NBC/Peacock
- 6:30 p.m. ET: Houston vs. Arizona State (NCAA Basketball)
The beauty of today is the variety. You have the cold, gritty atmosphere of Chicago in January mixed with the high-octane technical skill of Barcelona.
Honestly, the best way to handle this is to get your snacks prepped by 2:45 p.m. ET. Once that first NFL game kicks off, the momentum doesn't really stop until nearly 10:00 p.m. when the clock hits zero in Chicago.
Make sure your streaming apps are updated. There is nothing worse than opening Peacock five minutes before kickoff only to be met with a "System Update" progress bar. Set your DVR for the games you can't watch live, and if you're betting on the Rams/Bears game, keep an eye on that wind speed at Soldier Field—it’s usually the "twelfth man" that nobody accounts for until the first field goal attempt hooks wide.