If you're frantically checking your phone because you heard the Houston Texans are making a deep run and you don’t want to miss the opening drive, you've come to the right place.
It is officially playoff season in January 2026. The stakes? Massive. The opponent? The New England Patriots. The location? The notoriously chilly Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
What Time Do Texans Play Sunday? Here Is the Official Kickoff
The Houston Texans are scheduled to play the New England Patriots this Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM CST.
If you are watching from the East Coast, that is a 3:00 PM EST kickoff. For those out west, set your alarms for 12:00 PM PST.
This isn't just a regular-season game where you can check the score at halftime and feel fine. This is the AFC Divisional Round. The winner moves on to the AFC Championship; the loser goes home to start thinking about the draft.
Where to Watch the Game
The NFL didn't bury this one on a niche streaming service. You can catch the broadcast on ABC and ESPN.
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If you’re stuck in traffic or away from a TV, you can stream it through the ESPN app or NFL+, provided you have the right logins. Locally in Houston, the radio broadcast will be on SportsRadio 610.
Honestly, if you're in the Houston area and didn't get tickets to Foxborough, the team is actually hosting a sold-out watch party at NRG Stadium. Doors usually open a couple of hours early, so if you're heading there, aim to be in the vicinity by noon.
Why This Sunday Game Is Different
Most of us are used to the standard noon kickoff for Texans games. It’s a tradition. You get your BBQ ready, the game ends by 3:00 PM, and you have your evening free.
This 2:00 PM CST slot is a bit of a curveball. It’s that "late afternoon" window the NFL loves for playoff drama.
The Stakes for C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans
The Texans are on the verge of something the franchise has literally never done: reaching an AFC Championship game.
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Think about that for a second. We've had the Andre Johnson era, the J.J. Watt era, and plenty of heartbreak in between. But this team, led by C.J. Stroud, feels different. They just dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 in the Wild Card round.
Stroud is playing like a ten-year veteran, and DeMeco Ryans has that defense flying to the football. They actually made history last week by being the first team since the 1940 Chicago Bears to score multiple defensive touchdowns while giving up zero touchdowns in a playoff game.
The Nico Collins Factor
There is a bit of a dark cloud over this Sunday's game time. Star wideout Nico Collins has been ruled out (concussion protocol).
That is a huge blow. Collins has been Stroud’s security blanket all year. Without him, the pressure shifts to guys like Christian Kirk and Jayden Higgins. Can they create separation against a Mike Vrabel-led Patriots defense that just suffocated the Chargers? It’s going to be tight.
The weather in Foxborough is also looking "classic." We're talking temperatures in the 30s with a chance of some winter mix. It’s a far cry from the climate-controlled comfort of NRG Stadium.
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Quick Reference: Texans vs. Patriots Schedule
- Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 2:00 PM CST (3:00 PM EST)
- TV Channel: ABC / ESPN
- Radio: 610 AM (Houston)
- Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Looking Ahead: What Happens If They Win?
If the Texans pull this off, they don't just win a game; they break a "curse."
A victory sends them to the AFC Championship on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Depending on how the other games shake out (like the Bills vs. Broncos matchup), they could potentially host that game or head to Denver.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
The Patriots are the #2 seed for a reason. They finished the season 14-3. They have a 10-game improvement over their last season, tying an NFL record for the best turnaround in history. Drake Maye looks legit.
Basically, this Sunday is the biggest game in Houston football history since... well, maybe ever.
Your Game Day Checklist
- Sync your clocks: 2:00 PM CST is the magic number.
- Check the signal: If you’re using an antenna for ABC, make sure it’s positioned right.
- Monitor the injury report: Keep an eye on late-breaking news regarding the secondary; they’ll need everyone healthy to chase Maye around.
- Plan the snacks: You’ve got an extra two hours of prep time compared to a normal noon game. Use it wisely.
The road to the Super Bowl goes through the Northeast this week. It’s going to be cold, it’s going to be loud, and for Texans fans, it’s going to be a long two-hour wait until kickoff.
To make sure you don't miss any last-minute roster moves or weather updates before the 2:00 PM CST start, keep the official Texans app notifications turned on for real-time alerts from the sidelines at Gillette Stadium.