The playoff energy is getting pretty heavy. If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent the last twenty minutes scrolling through a chaotic TV guide trying to figure out where the heck the Divisional Round moved to. It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026, and the NFL post-season is in that "do or die" phase where every hit feels twice as loud.
Honestly, it's a huge night. We’ve got a massive matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears that's basically a collision course between a resurgent Matthew Stafford and a Chicago team that finally seems to have found its soul at Soldier Field.
What Channel Is the NFL on Tonight?
If you are looking for the primetime game, the NFL is on NBC tonight. The late-game kickoff for the Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. If you aren't near a TV, you can catch the stream on Peacock, which has become the go-to spot for anything under the "Sunday Night Football" umbrella.
Earlier today, we saw the Texans and Patriots battle it out on ESPN/ABC, but for the nightcap, it’s all about the NBC broadcast. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth are the voices you'll be hearing as the wind off Lake Michigan starts to kick up.
✨ Don't miss: Kurt Warner Height: What Most People Get Wrong About the QB Legend
Game Details and Where to Watch
- Matchup: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
- Kickoff Time: 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. CT)
- Main TV Channel: NBC
- Spanish Language Broadcast: Universo / Telemundo
- Streaming Options: Peacock (Premium), NFL+ (Mobile), Fubo
The weather in Chicago is looking... well, it's January. We're talking 18 degrees with some snow showers expected. It’s the kind of game where you see the breath of every lineman and the ball starts to feel like a frozen brick.
Why This Game Actually Matters
People were counting the Rams out after that mid-season slump. But Matthew Stafford has been playing like he’s 25 again. On the other side, Caleb Williams has the Bears in a position they haven't been in for a long time. It’s the veteran savvy versus the young gunslinger.
The winner of this game moves on to the NFC Championship to face the Seattle Seahawks, who absolutely dismantled the 49ers yesterday 41-6. Nobody wants to travel to Seattle right now, but you have to win tonight first.
🔗 Read more: Juan Carlos Gabriel de Anda: Why the Controversial Sportscaster Still Matters
How to Stream if You Don't Have Cable
Look, cable is expensive. I get it. If you’re trying to find what channel is the nfl on tonight but you don’t actually have "channels," you’ve still got a few solid routes.
Peacock is the easiest. Since NBC owns it, they put the game there live. If you’re a traveler or just stuck on a train, the NFL+ app lets you watch on your phone or tablet, though they still don’t let you cast it to a big screen most of the time which is kind of annoying.
Fubo and YouTube TV are the other big ones. They basically act like cable over the internet. If you’ve got a login for those, just search "NBC" and you’re in.
💡 You might also like: Ja Morant Height: Why the NBA Star Looks Bigger Than He Actually Is
Watching Internationally
If you’re reading this from London or somewhere across the pond, DAZN is your primary hub for the NFL Game Pass. The kickoff is late for you—11:30 p.m. GMT—so grab some coffee if you plan on seeing the fourth quarter.
Key Stats to Know Before Kickoff
The Rams offense is currently ranked #1 in the league for total yards per game, averaging 394.6. That is absurdly high for this time of year. Meanwhile, the Bears defense has been a "bend but don't break" unit. They rank 28th in yards allowed but they are top-five in takeaways.
Chicago needs those turnovers tonight. If they let Stafford sit in the pocket and pick them apart, it's going to be a long flight home for the Rams and a quiet night at Soldier Field.
Watch for the "Football Night in America" pregame show. It starts at 6:00 p.m. ET. They usually have the best breakdown of the injury reports, and tonight that's a big deal. The Bears are missing T.J. Edwards (fibula), which is a massive hole in their linebacker corps.
Actionable Tips for Tonight's Viewers
- Check your Peacock login early. Don't wait until 6:29 p.m. to realize you forgot your password. Streaming apps always seem to log you out right before kickoff.
- Monitor the weather. If the snow in Chicago turns from "showers" to a "blizzard," the over/under (currently at 48.5) is going to look very different.
- Sync your audio. If you’re listening to a local radio broadcast while watching the TV, use a delay app to match the live feed. It makes the experience ten times better.
- Order food 90 minutes early. Every delivery app in Chicago and LA is going to be slammed. If you want wings by halftime, order them before the anthem.
The road to the Super Bowl at Levi's Stadium is narrowing down. After tonight, we'll know the final four. Whether you're pulling for the Bears' Cinderella story or the Rams' veteran grit, make sure you're tuned into NBC at 6:30 p.m. ET.