Football fans are eating well this weekend. Honestly, if you're not parked in front of a screen today, you're missing out on some of the highest-stakes drama we’ve seen all season. We’ve got the NFL Divisional Round heating up in the States and a massive slate of European fixtures that could fundamentally shift the title races in Spain and Italy.
It’s a lot to keep track of.
Between the tactical chess match in San Sebastián and the brutal physicality expected at Soldier Field, today is basically a holiday for anyone who lives and breathes the beautiful game—regardless of whether that game involves a round ball or an oblong one. Let’s break down the top football games today and why these specific matchups are the ones that actually matter.
The NFL Divisional Round: High Stakes in the Windy City
If you’re looking for the peak of American football intensity, look no further than Chicago. The Chicago Bears are hosting the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field, and the vibes are electric. This isn’t just another playoff game; it’s a clash of identities. You’ve got the Rams’ high-flying offensive schemes trying to solve a Bears defense that has been playing like a pack of literal monsters lately.
Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. CT on NBC.
The weather in Chicago in mid-January is never "friendly." Expect the wind off Lake Michigan to play a massive factor in the kicking game and deep passing. While the Rams have the weapons, the Bears have the home-field advantage and a crowd that’s been waiting years for a run like this.
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Earlier in the day, the New England Patriots take on the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. That one starts at 2:00 p.m. CST. It’s the second playoff round, and the margin for error has basically vanished. If the Texans can handle the Foxborough atmosphere, we might see an upset, but betting against New England in January is usually a recipe for a bad Sunday.
La Liga: Can Barcelona Survive the Anoeta?
Over in Spain, all eyes are on the 8:00 p.m. kickoff between Real Sociedad and Barcelona. If you follow La Liga, you know that the Anoeta Stadium is a house of horrors for visiting giants. Barcelona has looked dominant at times this season, but Sociedad’s disciplined press is exactly the kind of thing that frustrates Hansi Flick’s tactical setup.
Real Madrid already did their job on Saturday, beating Levante 2-0 thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappé and Raúl Asencio. That win put the pressure squarely on Barça’s shoulders. If they drop points today, the title race gets very, very tight.
Other La Liga action today includes:
- Getafe vs. Valencia (A total scrap for points in the bottom half)
- Atletico Madrid vs. Alaves (Simeone’s men looking to stay in the Champions League spots)
- Celta Vigo vs. Rayo Vallecano
Sociedad vs. Barcelona is the clear standout. Expect a technical battle where one mistake in the midfield decides the whole thing.
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Serie A: AC Milan and the Roma Road Trip
Italy's top flight is delivering a full Sunday menu. The headliner has to be AC Milan vs. Lecce at the San Siro. Milan has been somewhat inconsistent, but playing under the lights in one of the world's most iconic stadiums usually brings out the best in their stars.
Before that, Torino hosts AS Roma at 5:00 p.m. local time. Roma has been a bit of an enigma lately—brilliant one week, stagnant the next. Torino is never an easy place to go, especially with their physical style of play.
We also have Bologna vs. Fiorentina earlier in the afternoon. This is a massive game for those European qualification spots. Both teams play an attractive, possession-heavy style, so if you’re a fan of "tactical" football, this is your game.
What Most People Get Wrong About Today's Schedule
A lot of casual fans think the "biggest" games are only the ones with the most famous names. That’s a mistake. Honestly, some of the best football today will happen in the mid-tier matchups where teams are fighting for survival.
Take the Wolverhampton vs. Newcastle match in the Premier League. It might not have the "Big Six" branding, but the intensity in the mid-table this year is insane. Newcastle is desperate to prove they belong back in the top four conversation, while Wolves are fighting to stay clear of the drop zone.
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Why the Big Ten is Dominating the Conversation
Even though the National Championship game between Indiana and Miami isn't until Monday night, the talk of the town is the Big Ten's absolute dominance. We’re looking at a world where Big Ten schools have won the last two titles (Michigan and Ohio State).
The fact that Indiana—yes, Indiana—is an 8.5-point favorite in a national title game tells you everything you need to know about how much the landscape of college football has shifted.
Practical Next Steps for the Football Obsessed
If you’re trying to navigate the top football games today without losing your mind, here’s the most efficient way to do it:
- Sync your clocks: Remember that the NFL games are on US time (CST/ET), while the European games start much earlier in the day for American viewers.
- Streaming Strategy: Most of the Serie A games are on Paramount+, while La Liga usually sits on ESPN+. If you're looking for the NFL, make sure your Peacock or NBC app is updated.
- Watch the Weather: For the Bears-Rams game, check the wind speeds an hour before kickoff. It’ll tell you everything you need to know about whether to expect a shootout or a ground-and-pound slog.
- Monitor the La Liga Table: Keep a live table open during the Barcelona game. The "as-it-stands" rankings will show you exactly how much pressure is on the Catalan side as the minutes tick away.
Today is one of those rare days where the schedule is perfectly layered. From the morning kickoffs in Europe to the late-night playoff drama in Chicago, there’s zero excuse for being bored. Enjoy the matches.