The energy in H-Town is absolutely electric right now. After C.J. Stroud and the crew absolutely dismantled the Steelers in the Wild Card round, the road leads straight to Foxborough. If you’re trying to figure out what channel are the houston texans playing on for this massive showdown against the New England Patriots, you aren't alone. This isn't just another game. It’s the AFC Divisional Playoff, and with a trip to the Championship game on the line, you don't want to be the person frantically scrolling through your guide while kickoff is happening.
The short answer? You’re looking for ABC or ESPN.
The Official Broadcast Details for Texans vs. Patriots
The NFL has officially slated this AFC clash for Sunday, January 18, 2026. Kickoff is locked in for 2:00 p.m. CT (which is 3:00 p.m. ET for those traveling up to Gillette Stadium). Because this is a high-stakes playoff matchup, the league is doing a "simulcast" approach. This basically means the game will be everywhere.
Inside the Houston market, you can catch the local broadcast on ABC (KTRK-TV Channel 13). If you have a standard cable package or even a pair of old-school rabbit ears, this is your best bet for zero-latency viewing. Nationally, the game is being carried by ESPN.
Honestly, the broadcast teams are usually top-tier for these Divisional games. We're talking the main ESPN crew, likely Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, bringing that "big game" feel to your living room.
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Streaming the Game Without Cable
Maybe you cut the cord months ago. Totally fair. You have a few solid options to make sure you don't miss a single snap of Nico Collins mossing a defender.
- ESPN+: Since the game is on ESPN and ABC, it’s also being streamed live on ESPN+. This is probably the easiest way if you already have the Disney bundle.
- NFL+: If you’re on the go and need to watch on a phone or tablet, the NFL+ app is your friend. Just keep in mind this is usually restricted to mobile devices for live local and primetime games.
- YouTube TV / FuboTV / Hulu + Live TV: All these major "cable replacement" services carry both ABC and ESPN. If you have one of these, you’re golden.
Why This Specific Matchup is Stressing Everyone Out
Let’s be real for a second. Playing in New England in January is a nightmare. Even though the "post-Brady" era has been a rollercoaster for the Patriots, they finished this season 14-3. They’ve got that No. 2 seed for a reason.
The Texans, meanwhile, are the ultimate "team of destiny" right now. Coming off that 30-6 win in Pittsburgh, the momentum is real. But history is a bit of a jerk here. The Texans have played the Patriots twice before in the Divisional round—once in 2013 and once in 2017. Both times, they had to go to Gillette Stadium. Both times, they lost.
But this 2026 team feels different. Stroud is playing like an MVP candidate, and the defense under DeMeco Ryans is finally clicking at the right time.
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Radio Coverage for the Die-Hards
If you’re stuck in traffic on I-45 or just prefer the local flavor, the radio call is usually way more exciting than the TV guys anyway.
Local Radio: SportsRadio 610 AM and The Bull 100.3 FM.
The Voices: Marc Vandermeer and Andre Ware.
There’s something about Vandermeer’s "Touchdown, Texans!" call that just hits different during a playoff run. If you need the Spanish broadcast, head over to Mega 101 FM for Enrique Vasquez’s call.
What Most Fans Get Wrong About Playoff TV Rights
A common point of confusion is thinking every AFC game is on CBS. Usually, during the regular season, that's the rule of thumb. But the playoffs are a different beast. The NFL sells these playoff windows as individual packages.
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While CBS has the Buffalo vs. Denver game on Saturday, the Sunday afternoon window for the Texans was scooped up by the Disney/ESPN umbrella. Don’t go to CBS expecting to see the Texans; you’ll just find pre-game coverage for the late window or some random infomercial.
Actionable Steps to Prep for Kickoff
Don't wait until 1:55 p.m. on Sunday to realize your streaming login expired or your antenna is acting up.
- Check your local ABC signal now. If you use an antenna, do a channel scan today. Weather in Houston can sometimes mess with the over-the-air signal, and you might need to adjust the position.
- Update your apps. If you're using ESPN+ or the NFL app, make sure they are updated to the latest version on your Smart TV or Roku. Nothing kills the vibe like a mandatory 5-minute update while the opening kickoff is in the air.
- Sync your audio. If you like listening to the 610 AM radio call while watching the TV, remember that the TV broadcast is usually delayed by 10-30 seconds. Use an app like Audacy to pause the radio feed so you can sync it perfectly with the action on the screen.
The Texans are 60 minutes away from the AFC Championship. Make sure you’re tuned to ABC or ESPN at 2:00 p.m. sharp to see if they can finally break the Foxborough curse.