If you’re staring at your remote right now wondering what channels are the football games on, you aren't alone. Honestly, trying to keep track of the NFL postseason rotation feels like a second job. One day it's CBS, the next it’s a streaming-only exclusive, and by the time the Divisional Round hits, you're just hoping your local antenna still picks up a signal.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. We are deep in the Divisional Round. The stakes are massive.
The Sunday Divisional Lineup: Where to Tune In
Right now, the schedule is split between the heavy hitters. You don't need to hunt through five different apps to find the "big" games today because they’ve landed on the traditional networks.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
Kickoff is at 3:00 p.m. ET. This game is being carried by ABC and ESPN. If you’ve got a basic cable package or even just a decent digital antenna, you should be able to pull in the ABC broadcast. For the cord-cutters, it’s also streaming on ESPN+. It’s the classic AFC showdown—C.J. Stroud trying to navigate the winter chill in Foxborough.
🔗 Read more: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
The nightcap starts at 6:30 p.m. ET. You’ll find this one on NBC. If you’re a streamer, Peacock is your destination for this one. This is a big deal for Chicago fans; Soldier Field is going to be rocking, and NBC usually pulls out all the stops for their playoff production. Expect a lot of "frozen tundra" commentary if the wind off Lake Michigan starts acting up.
Understanding the "Streaming Shuffle"
It’s kinda annoying how much the landscape has shifted. A few years ago, you just turned on your TV and the games were there. Now? You’ve got to check if you have the right subscription.
Basically, the NFL has sliced up the pie. CBS owns most of the AFC rights, which is why we saw the Bills and Broncos there yesterday. FOX handles the bulk of the NFC. But when the playoffs hit, the league tosses games to NBC/Peacock and ESPN/ABC to ensure everyone gets a piece of the playoff ad revenue.
💡 You might also like: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
If you’re looking for college ball today, you're out of luck. The College Football Playoff National Championship between Indiana and Miami doesn't happen until tomorrow, Monday, Jan. 19. That one is an ESPN exclusive, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Why the Channel Matters for Quality
Believe it or not, where you watch changes how you watch.
- CBS/Paramount+: Usually offers a very "traditional" feel. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are the gold standard for many.
- FOX: Often feels a bit more "energetic" with their graphics. Tom Brady has been finding his groove in the booth, which adds a layer of nerdery for the QB-obsessed.
- NBC: They treat every playoff game like it's the Super Bowl. High production value, great lighting, and that iconic theme music that makes everything feel 10% more dramatic.
What Channels Are the Football Games On Later This Month?
Looking ahead, the rotation continues. You'll want to keep these dates on your radar so you aren't scrambling 5 minutes before kickoff.
📖 Related: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
Next Sunday, January 25, the AFC Championship is on CBS at 3:00 p.m. ET. Immediately following that, the NFC Championship moves over to FOX at 6:30 p.m. ET.
And then there's the big one. Super Bowl LX is set for February 8, 2026. It’s going to be on NBC and Peacock. Since the game is in Santa Clara this year, the West Coast timing means a late-night finish for those of us on the East Coast, so plan your "Monday morning flu" accordingly.
Actionable Steps for Today's Games
- Check your signal early: If you’re using an antenna for ABC (Texans/Patriots) or NBC (Rams/Bears), do a channel scan now. Wind or weather can mess with digital signals, and you don't want to be adjusting the "rabbit ears" during a two-minute drill.
- Verify your logins: If you're streaming on Peacock or ESPN+, make sure you aren't logged out. There's nothing worse than forgetting a password while the kickoff return is happening.
- Sync your audio: If you prefer listening to local radio announcers while watching the TV, use a delay app like "Audio Delay" to sync the radio feed with the slightly-delayed TV broadcast.
- Monitor the weather: It's mid-January. If a storm hits the Northeast or Chicago, expect game-time delays or "heavy run" offensive strategies. This usually means the games run long, potentially overlapping if the first game goes into overtime.
Knowing what channels are the football games on is half the battle. Now you just need to make sure the wings are ready and the couch is cleared.