The tension is basically vibrating off the walls today. If you're looking for what games come on today NFL, you've landed in the right spot because the Divisional Round is reaching its peak. Honestly, Sunday playoff football is different. The stakes are higher, the hits feel harder, and for the four teams taking the field today, it’s about survive and advance.
Yesterday already gave us some chaos. The Denver Broncos took care of the Bills, and the Seahawks absolutely dismantled the 49ers in a 41-6 blowout that nobody saw coming. Now, the AFC and NFC brackets are waiting to be filled out.
Today's NFL Schedule: Who is Playing and When?
We have two massive matchups on the slate for Sunday, January 18, 2026.
First up, the AFC takes center stage in Foxborough. The Houston Texans travel to face the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. This one kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET. You can catch the broadcast on ESPN and ABC, or stream it through the ESPN app and NFL+. It’s Drake Maye versus C.J. Stroud—a battle of the young guns that's going to define the conference for the next decade.
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Once that wraps up, we head to the freezing cold of Soldier Field. The Los Angeles Rams are visiting the Chicago Bears for an NFC showdown at 6:30 p.m. ET. This game is airing on NBC and Peacock. If you’re a Spanish speaker, Telemundo and Universo have the coverage there too.
Quick Reference for Sunday’s Games:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots | 3:00 p.m. ET | ESPN, ABC, ESPN+
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears | 6:30 p.m. ET | NBC, Peacock
The Matchups: What Most People Get Wrong
People keep saying the Patriots are "lucky" to be here. That’s kinda disrespectful to a defense that has been top-five all year. Drake Maye has found his rhythm, but he's facing a Texans team that just put up 30 points on the Steelers last week. C.J. Stroud doesn't look like a guy who gets rattled by playoff noise.
Then you have the nightcap. The Bears at home in January? It’s classic. The forecast is calling for snow showers and a temperature of about 18°F. That’s "Bear Weather." The Rams are favored by 3.5 or 4 points depending on where you look, but playing on grass in the freezing cold is a different beast for a dome team from LA.
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Key Storylines to Watch
- The Quarterback Youth Movement: We are officially in a new era. Stroud and Maye in the afternoon, followed by Caleb Williams trying to out-duel the veteran Matthew Stafford.
- Health Updates: Keep a close eye on Chicago's Rome Odunze. He’s been dealing with an injury but signs point to him playing. On the flip side, the Rams are missing some key pieces on the offensive line like Rob Havenstein, which could be a problem against the Bears' pass rush.
- The Home Field Myth: The Seahawks proved yesterday that home field matters, but the Texans have been incredible on the road this year. Don't assume the Gillette Stadium crowd will be enough to stop Stroud.
Why Today Matters for the Bracket
The winners of these two games move on to the Conference Championships next Sunday, January 25. If the Texans win, they head to Denver to face the Broncos. If the Patriots win, they host Denver.
In the NFC, the winner of Rams-Bears has a date with the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle looked terrifying yesterday. Kenneth Walker III ran for over 100 yards, and Sam Darnold—oblique injury and all—looked like a superstar. Whoever wins tonight at Soldier Field has a massive mountain to climb next week in the Pacific Northwest.
How to Stream if You Don't Have Cable
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. For the 3:00 p.m. game, ESPN+ is your best bet. For the 6:30 p.m. game, Peacock is the exclusive streaming home for the NBC broadcast. Most people forget that NFL+ also carries these games on mobile devices, though you can't always cast those to your big screen.
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Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV will all have the local ABC and NBC affiliates as well. Just make sure your subscription is active before kickoff so you don't miss the first drive while waiting for a password reset email.
Actionable Tips for Game Day
If you're planning to watch, get your setup ready now. The Rams-Bears game starts right as dinner time hits for the East Coast, so plan the wings accordingly.
- Check the weather: If you're betting the "Over," the snow in Chicago might make you reconsider. The O/U is sitting around 48.5, which feels high for a blizzard.
- Sync your apps: Peacock can sometimes lag behind the live broadcast by 30 seconds. If you're on a group chat with friends who have cable, turn off your notifications so they don't spoil the touchdowns.
- Follow the inactives: Official inactive lists come out 90 minutes before kickoff. Keep a sharp eye on the Bears' linebacker situation, as T.J. Edwards is already out, leaving a hole in the middle of that defense.
The Divisional Round is the best weekend in sports for a reason. Four games in 48 hours, and by tonight, we'll know the final four teams standing on the road to Super Bowl LX. Enjoy the games.