You're probably pacing your living room or refreshing your feed every five seconds wondering what channel is Texans game today, and I've got the answer for you. Honestly, there's nothing quite like the stress of playoff football, especially when the Houston Texans are coming off a dominant 30-6 win against the Steelers and heading straight into the teeth of Foxborough.
The Texans do not play today, Friday, January 16, 2026.
NFL playoff schedules are always a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. While today is a high-anxiety day for injury reports and trash talk, the actual whistle doesn't blow for Houston until Sunday. If you were looking to park yourself on the couch right now, you’ve got about 48 hours to stock up on wings and beer.
Texans vs. Patriots: The Channel and Kickoff Time
The Houston Texans face the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
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Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET (2:00 PM CT for those of us down in Houston).
You can catch the game nationally on ABC and ESPN. Because this is a high-stakes postseason matchup, the NFL is doing the usual simulcast thing. Basically, if you have a digital antenna, you’re good with your local ABC affiliate. If you’re a cable or satellite person, flip over to ESPN.
For the Spanish-language broadcast, head over to ESPN Deportes.
Where to Stream the Game
Not everyone uses a traditional box anymore. If you're wondering what channel is Texans game today for your phone or smart TV, you have a few solid options:
- ESPN+: Since it's an ESPN/ABC broadcast, the ESPN+ app will have the live stream.
- NFL+: You can watch on mobile devices, though it's usually restricted to phones and tablets unless you have the premium tier.
- FuboTV or YouTube TV: These are the "cable killers" that carry ABC and ESPN.
- Hulu + Live TV: Another reliable way to catch the local ABC feed.
Why Sunday Is the Real Test
Let's talk about the matchup. C.J. Stroud is playing like a seasoned vet, but Gillette Stadium in January is a different beast entirely. The Patriots finished the season 15-3 and they’ve got a defense that specializes in making young quarterbacks see ghosts.
The big story right now? Nico Collins.
He’s the WR1 for a reason. He took a nasty hit in the Pittsburgh game and entered concussion protocol. If he can't go, Stroud loses his most reliable deep threat. That puts a massive amount of pressure on Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz to find space in a New England secondary that allowed very little all year.
New England’s Drake Maye is also coming into his own. It’s a battle of the young guns, and while the "experts" are split—some calling for a narrow Patriots win—the Texans have that "nobody believes in us" energy that usually leads to an upset.
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Navigating the Divisional Round Weekend
The NFL doesn't just give us one game and call it a day. Since you're already checking what channel is Texans game today, you might want to know the rest of the weekend's slate.
On Saturday, January 17, we have the Buffalo Bills visiting the Denver Broncos at 4:30 PM ET on CBS. Later that night, the 49ers take on the Seahawks at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
Then Sunday opens with our Texans game at 3:00 PM, followed by the Rams vs. Bears at 6:30 PM ET on NBC. It’s a full-on football binge.
Getting Ready for Kickoff
Don't wait until 2:55 PM on Sunday to figure out your login for the ESPN app. These streaming services have a weird habit of logging you out exactly when you need them most.
Check your local listings if you're outside the Houston or New England markets, though since it's on ABC/ESPN, it's a national broadcast. No blackouts to worry about for this one.
If you’re heading to a sports bar, get there early. Every spot in Houston is going to be packed to the rafters with fans wearing Battle Red. Gillette Stadium is also sold out, with ticket prices on the secondary market hovering around $300 just to get in the door.
To make sure you don't miss a single snap of the Texans game:
- Verify your ABC signal if using an antenna; sometimes weather in January can get wonky.
- Download the ESPN app now and ensure your TV provider is linked.
- Monitor the final injury report on Saturday afternoon to see if Nico Collins cleared protocol.
- Sync your clock to 2:00 PM CT on Sunday to catch the pre-game analysis.
The winner of this game moves on to the AFC Championship on January 25. If the Texans pull this off, they’ll be one win away from their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. The stakes literally couldn't be higher.