If you’re staring at the calendar and realizing the weekend is slipping away, don't worry—the best part of the NFL season is just hitting its stride. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the Divisional Round of the playoffs wraps up with two massive games that will decide who moves on to the Conference Championships.
Honestly, the energy right now is electric. We've moved past the chaos of Wild Card weekend, and now we’re down to the heavy hitters. If you are asking what nfl teams play tomorrow, you are looking at a double-header that spans the AFC and the NFC, featuring two legendary franchises hosting hungry road warriors.
The Early Window: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
First up, at 3:00 PM ET, the Houston Texans travel to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots. This one is going to be a chess match. The Patriots secured their spot here by dismantling the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 in the Wild Card round, proving that their defense is still a nightmare to prepare for in January.
The Texans, meanwhile, are coming off a dominant 30-6 win against the Steelers. Houston's offense has looked sharp, but playing at Gillette Stadium in the middle of January is a different beast entirely. You’ve got to wonder if the New England cold will stymie a Texans team that’s used to playing in a dome or the Texas heat. This game will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN, so it's easy to find.
The Primetime Finale: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
Once the sun goes down, the action moves to the shores of Lake Michigan. At 6:30 PM ET, the Los Angeles Rams take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. If you like old-school football atmospheres, this is the one.
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Chicago is buzzing. The Bears just edged out the Packers 31-27 in a Wild Card thriller, and now they get to host as the No. 2 seed. But don't sleep on the Rams. They traveled to Carolina and escaped with a 34-31 win last week. They've shown they can win close games on the road, which is exactly what you need in the playoffs.
You can catch this game on NBC and Peacock. Watching the Rams' high-powered offense try to navigate the Chicago wind is going to be fascinating.
Why These Games Matter for the Bracket
It's not just about who wins tomorrow; it's about the path to Super Bowl LX. The winners of these two games will advance to the AFC and NFC Championship games on Sunday, January 25.
- The AFC Side: The winner of Texans-Patriots will move on to face either the Denver Broncos or the Buffalo Bills. Since Denver is the No. 1 seed, they’ve had the week off to rest and watch these teams beat each other up.
- The NFC Side: The winner of Rams-Bears will move on to face either the Seattle Seahawks or the San Francisco 49ers. Seattle, much like Denver, is sitting pretty with that first-round bye.
Basically, tomorrow determines if we get a chalk-heavy championship weekend or if the underdogs are going to continue their tear through the bracket.
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Where and How to Watch
If you're planning your Sunday around these games, here's the quick breakdown of where to tune in. No one wants to be scrolling through channels three minutes after kickoff.
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: ABC, ESPN, ESPN+
- Venue: Gillette Stadium
Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC, Peacock
- Venue: Soldier Field
Strategy and Betting Angles
If you’re looking at the lines, pay attention to the weather reports for Chicago. Soldier Field in mid-January is notoriously difficult for kickers and long-passing games. The Rams rank highly in scoring defense, but the Bears’ offense has been clicking, ranking sixth in total yards per contest this season.
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On the AFC side, the Patriots’ defense is the story. They allowed only 3 points last week. That is absurd. The Texans' offense is high-flying, but Bill Belichick’s disciples (even in 2026) know how to take away a team's primary weapon.
Actionable Next Steps
To make the most of the games tomorrow, clear your schedule by 2:30 PM ET to catch the pre-game analysis. If you're streaming, ensure your Peacock and ESPN+ subscriptions are active tonight so you aren't dealing with login issues right at kickoff. Also, check the local weather forecasts for Foxborough and Chicago about two hours before the games; if the wind picks up past 15 mph, expect a heavy dose of the running game and a lower-scoring affair.
Prepare your setup now, grab your snacks, and get ready for a Sunday that will define the rest of the NFL postseason.