It is basically the crown jewel of the NFL week. You’ve probably got the snacks ready, the remote is in hand, and you’re wondering exactly what teams play on sunday night football today. If you’re looking at the calendar right now—Sunday, January 18, 2026—we are deep into the high-stakes drama of the NFL Divisional Round.
The game tonight isn't just a regular season clash; it’s a win-or-go-home battle. The Los Angeles Rams are heading into the frozen (or at least very chilly) confines of Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears. This is the nightcap for the Divisional weekend, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Honestly, after the wild finishes we saw in the Wild Card round last week, this one has "instant classic" written all over it.
The Matchup Tonight: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
This isn't your average game. The Bears, led by a defense that has been absolutely suffocating opponents lately, managed to snag the No. 2 seed in the NFC. They’re coming off a bye week, rested and probably a bit restless. On the other side, you've got the Rams. They just survived a nail-biter against the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card round, winning 34-31.
People were skeptical of the Rams early in the season, but they've found a rhythm. Matthew Stafford—yes, he's still slinging it—has developed a scary connection with his young receivers. But going into Chicago in January? That’s a different beast entirely. The "Monsters of the Midway" vibe is very real when the wind starts whipping off Lake Michigan.
Why this game is on Sunday Night Football
The NFL doesn't just pick these games out of a hat. They want the ratings. They want the drama. By putting the Rams and Bears in the primetime slot, they’re betting on a massive audience. You have the "Big Market" appeal of LA versus the historical "Football City" grit of Chicago.
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Earlier today, we saw the Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots in the afternoon slot. That game was huge for the AFC, but the NFC finale on Sunday night is where the true "theatrical" energy usually lives. It’s the final hurdle before the Conference Championships next week.
How the Sunday Night Football Schedule Actually Works
A lot of fans get confused about how the league decides what teams play on sunday night football. It’s not a static list made in May that never changes. It's actually a pretty complicated dance involving TV executives, "flex" scheduling, and a lot of math.
- The Initial Draft: Back in the spring, the NFL schedule makers—folks like Howard Katz and Michael North—sit down with thousands of computer-generated schedules. They pick the best matchups for the first few months.
- The Flex Period: This is the part that catches people off guard. Starting around Week 5, the NFL can "flex" games. If a game that looked good in May (like, say, a matchup between two teams that ended up being 2-10) is scheduled for Sunday night, the NFL can swap it.
- The 12-Day Rule: For most of the season, the league has to give fans and teams 12 days' notice before moving a game to the Sunday night slot.
- Late Season Chaos: In Weeks 14 through 17, that window shrinks. They can change the game with just six days' notice. This ensures that the biggest playoff-implication games get the 8:20 p.m. ET spotlight.
Common Misconceptions About the SNF Selection
You’ll hear people say that the Cowboys are on Sunday night every week. It feels that way, doesn't it? But there are actually limits. A team can generally only appear in primetime (which includes Sunday, Monday, and Thursday nights) a maximum of six or seven times a season.
The NFL tries to spread the love, but let’s be real: teams like the Chiefs, Eagles, and Packers are ratings gold. That’s why you see them in the rotation more often than, say, the Titans or the Jaguars.
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Expert Note: Flexing isn't just about moving a "bad" team out. It’s about moving a "must-watch" team in. If a rookie quarterback is suddenly taking the league by storm, expect the NFL to find a way to get him onto NBC as fast as humanly possible.
What Happened Earlier This Season on SNF?
Looking back at the 2025-2026 season, we’ve had some legendary Sunday nights. Remember Week 1? The Buffalo Bills hosted the Baltimore Ravens in a game that ended 41-40. It set the tone for the entire year.
Then there was the Week 4 tie between the Packers and Cowboys—40-40 after a scoreless overtime. That was a weird night for everyone involved. More recently, in Week 17, the San Francisco 49ers edged out the Chicago Bears 42-38. Tonight is actually a bit of a "redemption" night for Chicago fans who felt they should have won that one.
Recent Sunday Night Results (2025-2026 Season)
- Week 15: Vikings 34, Cowboys 26.
- Week 16: Patriots 28, Ravens 24.
- Week 17: 49ers 42, Bears 38.
- Wild Card Round (Sunday Night): Patriots 16, Chargers 3.
Where to Watch and What to Expect
If you're tuning in tonight, the broadcast team of Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will be on the call. Love him or hate him, Collinsworth’s "PFF-style" analysis is a staple of the Sunday night experience.
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You can catch the game on your local NBC affiliate. If you’ve cut the cord, Peacock is the exclusive streaming home for the game. If you are outside the US, NFL Game Pass (via DAZN in most regions) is the way to go.
Key Factors for Tonight's Rams-Bears Clash
Keep an eye on the Rams' offensive line. Chicago’s pass rush has been relentless this year. If Stafford doesn't have time to let his receivers' routes develop, it’s going to be a long night for the visitors. Also, look at the turnover margin. In the playoffs, a single muffed punt or an interception in the red zone is usually the difference between moving on to the NFC Championship or going home to start off-season workouts.
Your Game Day Checklist
Knowing what teams play on sunday night football is just the start. To really enjoy the Divisional Round finale, you need a plan.
- Check the Kickoff Time: It’s 6:30 p.m. ET. Don't show up at 8:20 p.m. thinking it's a regular season start time. Postseason timing is different.
- Update Your Apps: If you're streaming on Peacock, make sure the app is updated at least an hour before kickoff to avoid that annoying "update required" screen right as the ball is kicked.
- Watch the Weather: Chicago weather in January can change in twenty minutes. If the wind picks up, expect a lot more running plays and fewer deep shots.
- Keep an Eye on the Bracket: The winner of tonight's game will face the winner of the 49ers-Seahawks game (which happened yesterday) in the NFC Championship.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting incredibly narrow. Only a handful of teams are left, and by the time the clock hits zero tonight, we’ll know exactly who the final four are. Grab your jersey, settle into the couch, and get ready for some playoff football.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your local listings: NBC kickoff for the Divisional Round is earlier than the standard 8:20 p.m. regular season time—tune in by 6:00 p.m. ET for the pre-game show.
- Monitor the injury report: Check for any last-minute "active/inactive" status updates for the Rams' secondary, as Chicago's deep threat remains their biggest weapon.
- Prepare your stream: If using Peacock, log in early to ensure your subscription is active and the feed is stable before the rush of millions of viewers at kickoff.