If you’re scrambling to find out what is the score for tonight's game, you’ve likely realized that January 18, 2026, is one of the biggest sports days of the year. We are smack in the middle of the NFL Divisional Round. This is where the pretenders get sent home and the real contenders start smelling the Super Bowl.
Honestly, the energy is electric. Between the high-stakes football playoffs and a full slate of NBA matchups, there’s almost too much to track. I’ve been glued to the screens all afternoon, and the drama is exactly what we expected from this postseason.
NFL Divisional Round: The Big Ones
Today is about survival. We have two massive NFL games on the schedule for Sunday, January 18. If you’re looking for the live score, keep in mind these games are staggered to take up your entire afternoon and evening.
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
This one kicked off at 3:05 PM ET at Gillette Stadium. This is a classic "new guard vs. old guard" matchup. The Texans, led by C.J. Stroud, are trying to prove their blowout win over the Steelers last week wasn't a fluke. Meanwhile, the Patriots are back in a familiar spot—hosting a playoff game in January.
You can catch this one on ESPN and ABC. As of right now, the game is in the heat of the action. The Patriots entered as 3-point favorites, but Stroud’s ability to extend plays is making New England's secondary work harder than they have all season.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
The nightcap is a heavy hitter. Kickoff is set for 6:40 PM ET at Soldier Field. This is "frozen tundra" territory, even if it's just Chicago and not Green Bay. The Bears are coming off a gritty win against the Packers, while the Rams barely escaped the Panthers in the Wild Card round.
- Broadcast: NBC and Peacock
- The Vibe: It’s going to be cold. Expect a lot of ground-and-pound from the Bears.
- Player to Watch: Puka Nacua for the Rams. He’s been a magnet for the ball in high-pressure situations.
NBA Scores and Standings for Tonight
While the NFL is hogging the spotlight, the NBA isn't taking the night off. We have some intriguing regular-season games that are actually pretty important for playoff seeding.
Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies
This was a special one. They played earlier today at 12:00 PM ET over at The O2 Arena in London. International games always have a weird rhythm to them, but it's a great showcase for the league.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls
Starting at 7:00 PM ET, the Nets are trying to climb out of the bottom of the East against a Bulls team that’s been hovering around .500. Honestly, watching the Bulls play at the same time their NFL counterparts are in the playoffs is going to have the United Center crowd distracted.
Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The late-night West Coast special. This one tips off at 9:00 PM ET. If you’re a night owl or living out West, this is your primary source of entertainment once the Rams-Bears game starts winding down.
What Happened Last Night?
To understand the stakes for what is the score for tonight's game, you have to look at how we got here. Yesterday was absolute chaos.
In the AFC, the Denver Broncos took down the Buffalo Bills in a 33-30 overtime thriller. It was one of those games where nobody deserved to lose, but the Broncos' defense came up with a massive stop when it mattered most.
Over in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantled the San Francisco 49ers with a 41-6 victory. It wasn't even close. Seattle looks like the team to beat right now, and whoever wins the Rams-Bears game tonight is going to have a massive mountain to climb when they head to Lumen Field next week.
In the NBA world, Jaylen Brown went nuclear last night. He dropped 41 points as the Celtics blew out the Hawks 132-106. The Celtics' 82 first-half points tied a record for the most in any half during the play-by-play era. If you missed that, you missed a masterclass in shooting.
NHL and Other Pro Sports
Don't forget the ice. The NHL has a few games tonight as well. The Detroit Red Wings are hosting the Ottawa Senators (5:00 PM ET), and the Edmonton Oilers are facing off against the St. Louis Blues (8:00 PM ET).
The Oilers are coming off a massive performance where they scored six goals in a single period recently. Watching Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl operate is always worth the price of admission, or at least the price of a streaming sub.
How to Stay Updated
If you can't sit in front of the TV all night, there are a few ways to keep the "what is the score for tonight's game" question answered in real-time.
👉 See also: What Time Are the Vikings on Today: Getting the Schedule Right Without the Headache
- Official Apps: The NFL and NBA apps are the most reliable for play-by-play data, though they can be a bit heavy on the ads.
- Stat Sites: Sites like RealGM or Plain Text Sports are great if you want the raw numbers without the fluff.
- Social Media: Following the team's official X (formerly Twitter) accounts is the fastest way to see highlight clips immediately after they happen.
The drama of the Divisional Round is that there's no tomorrow. One bad snap, one missed free throw, or one power play goal can change the entire trajectory of a season.
To get the most out of tonight, make sure you have your streaming logins ready for Peacock and ESPN+. If you're following the NFL, keep a close eye on the injury reports coming out of the Texans-Patriots game, as the winner will have to travel to Denver next week to face a very rested Broncos team. For NBA fans, watch the Nets-Bulls score closely; it’s a trap game for Chicago with the city's mind on football.