You know how it goes. You wake up on a Sunday in January, the coffee is brewing, and the only thing that actually matters is knowing exactly where to find the game before the opening kickoff. We’re deep into the 2026 postseason now. The stakes? Massive. If you’re asking what channel is football on tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, 2026, you're looking at a heavy-hitting Divisional Round double-header that's basically going to decide who has a real shot at Super Bowl LX.
Honestly, the NFL schedule-makers didn't miss this year. We have a classic AFC showdown in the afternoon followed by a prime-time NFC clash that'll probably have half of Chicago and Los Angeles holding their collective breath.
Tomorrow’s NFL Playoff Schedule and TV Channels
It’s a two-game slate. Simple, but intense. Here is exactly where you need to point your remote tomorrow, Sunday, January 18.
The Afternoon Window (AFC Divisional Round)
The Houston Texans travel to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots.
- Kickoff Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN and ABC
- Streaming: ESPN+, NFL+, and Fubo
The Primetime Window (NFC Divisional Round)
The Los Angeles Rams head into the cold to take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
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- Kickoff Time: 6:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock, NBC Sports App, and Fubo
Why These Matchups Are Actually Wild
Look, the Patriots being back in the Divisional Round feels like a glitch in the matrix for some, but they’ve earned the No. 2 seed. Seeing them host a surging Houston Texans team at 3:00 PM on ABC/ESPN is going to be high-level chess. Houston’s offense has been explosive, and New England’s defense has been... well, very New England-like. If you're stuck at work or away from a big screen, the fact that it's simulcast on ABC makes it way easier to catch via a standard antenna.
Then there’s the nightcap. 6:30 PM ET on NBC. Rams at Bears.
Soldier Field in January is a vibe. It’s usually freezing. It’s loud. The Rams are coming in as the No. 5 seed, basically playing the "nobody respects us" card, while the No. 2 seed Bears are trying to prove this new era in Chicago is the real deal. If you don't have cable, you'll need a Peacock subscription for this one, or a live TV streamer like YouTube TV or Fubo.
What Channel Is Football On Tomorrow for International Fans?
If you're reading this from the UK or Canada, the "what channel" question has a different answer. In the UK, Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event are your best bets for both games. In Canada, TSN and CTV usually split the coverage, with the 3:00 PM game on TSN1/3 and the 6:30 PM game on TSN1.
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Don't Forget the Global Game: Premier League Tomorrow
Maybe "football" means the round ball to you. I get it. If you’re looking for the Premier League on Sunday, January 18, 2026, the schedule is a bit lighter but still crucial for the table.
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Newcastle United: 9:00 AM ET on USA Network and Telemundo.
- Aston Villa vs. Everton: 11:30 AM ET on USA Network and Telemundo.
Basically, if you start with the Premier League at 9:00 AM on USA Network and then pivot to ABC at 3:00 PM for the NFL, you’ve got about 12 hours of sports planned. Your couch is going to need a break.
How to Stream Without Getting a Headache
We’ve all been there. You open an app, it asks for a login, you’ve forgotten the password, and you miss the first touchdown. Avoid that.
If you’re a "cord-cutter," the easiest way to handle tomorrow is through a service like Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV. They carry ABC, ESPN, and NBC. If you’re trying to go the cheaper route, Peacock is mandatory for the Rams-Bears game, and ESPN+ will have a stream of the Texans-Patriots game.
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One thing people often forget: NFL+. If you only care about watching on your phone or tablet, it’s actually the cheapest way to see every playoff game, though you can't cast it to your TV. It's a "small screen only" kind of deal, which is fine if you're hiding out in the kitchen during a family dinner.
Practical Steps for Tomorrow's Kickoff
Don't wait until 2:55 PM to figure this out. Here is what you should actually do to stay ahead:
- Check your local NBC affiliate: Use an antenna today to make sure you get a crisp signal for the 6:30 PM Bears game. It's free high-definition if you're in range.
- Update your apps: If you’re using Peacock or the ESPN app, run the updates tonight. Nothing kills the mood like a "400MB Update Required" bar at kickoff.
- Sync your food delivery: If you're in Chicago or LA, delivery times are going to triple tomorrow evening. Plan your wings for a 5:45 PM arrival.
Knowing what channel is football on tomorrow is half the battle. The other half is making sure the remote has fresh batteries and the Wi-Fi isn't acting up. Enjoy the games; the Divisional Round is arguably the best weekend of the entire year for any sports fan.