If you’re staring at your calendar and wondering what time are football games tomorrow, you’re likely bracing for one of the most intense sports days of the year. Tomorrow is Sunday, January 18, 2026. For American football fans, this isn't just any Sunday; it’s the second half of the NFL Divisional Round. This is where the pretenders have already been sent home and the remaining eight teams are fighting for a ticket to the Conference Championships.
It’s a weirdly high-stakes day. You’ve got the NFL playoffs in full swing on one side of the pond and a packed schedule of European "football" (soccer) across the other. Honestly, if you’re trying to catch everything, you’re going to need multiple screens and a very understanding family.
The schedule for tomorrow is split cleanly between a late afternoon AFC showdown and a primetime NFC battle. Here is the breakdown of exactly when you need to be on your couch.
What Time Are Football Games Tomorrow in the NFL?
The NFL doesn't like to clutter the Divisional Round. They give each game its own window so the entire country can watch. Tomorrow, we have two massive matchups that will determine who moves on to the AFC and NFC title games next week.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots (AFC)
Kickoff Time: 3:00 p.m. ET TV Channel: ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+
This is the early bird special. The Houston Texans, led by their maturing core, are heading into the freezing air of Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots secured the #2 seed this year, and playing at home in January is a notorious advantage for them.
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Expect a tactical grind. The Texans have been surprisingly explosive, but New England’s defense has a way of making young quarterbacks see ghosts in the postseason. If you’re planning a watch party, you’ll want the snacks ready by 2:30 p.m. to catch the pregame hype.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (NFC)
Kickoff Time: 6:30 p.m. ET TV Channel: NBC and Peacock
The nightcap features a classic "ice vs. sun" matchup. The L.A. Rams are traveling to the "Windy City" to face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. There is something truly special about playoff football in Chicago. The grass is usually a mess, the air is biting, and the fans are deafening.
The Bears are the #2 seed in the NFC and have been dominant at home. Meanwhile, the Rams are looking to prove that their high-flying offense can travel to a cold-weather environment and still produce. It’s the final game of the weekend, so expect the intensity to be at an absolute boiling point.
Sunday Soccer Schedule: The Other Football
If you’re a fan of the global game, your "tomorrow" starts much earlier. While the NFL waits for the afternoon, the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A are kicking off while most of us in the States are still on our first cup of coffee.
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English Premier League
- Wolverhampton vs. Newcastle United: 2:00 p.m. local / 9:00 a.m. ET
- Aston Villa vs. Everton: 4:30 p.m. local / 11:30 a.m. ET
The Premier League games are pivotal for the mid-table scramble this season. Newcastle is pushing for European spots, making that early kickoff a must-watch for fans of the Magpies.
Spanish La Liga
- Getafe vs. Valencia: 1:00 p.m. local / 7:00 a.m. ET
- Atlético Madrid vs. Alavés: 3:15 p.m. local / 9:15 a.m. ET
- Celta Vigo vs. Rayo Vallecano: 5:30 p.m. local / 11:30 a.m. ET
- Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona: 9:00 p.m. local / 3:00 p.m. ET
That Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona match actually overlaps with the start of the Texans/Patriots game. If you're a fan of both, you’ll have a tough choice to make at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Italian Serie A
- Parma vs. Genoa: 12:30 p.m. local / 6:30 a.m. ET
- Bologna vs. Fiorentina: 3:00 p.m. local / 9:00 a.m. ET
- Torino vs. Roma: 6:00 p.m. local / 12:00 p.m. ET
- AC Milan vs. Lecce: 8:45 p.m. local / 2:45 p.m. ET
Why the Timing Matters for the NFL Divisional Round
A lot of people ask why the NFL starts the Sunday games at 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. It’s all about the TV markets and the transition from the West Coast. By starting the first game at 3:00 p.m. ET, it’s noon in Los Angeles. It allows the league to capture the maximum possible audience without making West Coast fans wake up at dawn or East Coast fans stay up until 2:00 a.m. on a work night.
Also, the 6:30 p.m. ET slot for the Bears and Rams is "Prime Time" for a reason. NBC usually gets the highest-rated game of the weekend in this window. With a huge market like Chicago involved, the viewership numbers are expected to be astronomical.
What Most People Get Wrong About Tomorrow's Games
There’s a common misconception that the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship is happening tomorrow. It actually isn't. The big showdown between Miami and Indiana is scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2026.
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Don't go looking for the college title game tomorrow night; you'll only find the Rams and Bears.
Another thing to keep in mind is the weather. January in Foxborough and Chicago is no joke. While we look at the clock and see "3:00 p.m.," the players are looking at the thermometer. Cold weather often slows down the passing game, which can lead to more conservative, run-heavy strategies. If you’re betting on the "over," you might want to check the wind speeds at Soldier Field first.
Quick Tips for Watching Tomorrow
- Check Your Subscriptions: The Rams/Bears game is on NBC, but it also streams on Peacock. If you’ve cut the cord, make sure your login still works before kickoff.
- The ABC/ESPN Simulcast: The Texans/Patriots game is being shown on both ABC and ESPN. If one signal is fuzzy or lagging, try the other.
- Food Prep: Since the games run back-to-back, you’re looking at about seven hours of football. Do your grocery run today so you don't miss a third-down conversion because you ran out of chips.
Tomorrow is basically a national holiday for sports fans. Whether you’re rooting for CJ Stroud to pull off an upset or you want to see if the "Monsters of the Midway" can defend their home turf, the schedule is set.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Set a calendar alert for 2:45 p.m. ET to catch the start of the AFC pregame show.
- Verify your local channel listings for ABC and NBC, as regional blackouts are rare but technical glitches aren't.
- Check the final injury reports tomorrow morning; players like Nick McCloud for the Bears are already ruled out, which could change the defensive dynamic.