So, you’re staring at the TV remote trying to figure out if you have enough time to run to the grocery store before kickoff. We've all been there. It’s the Divisional Round of the playoffs, and the stakes are way higher than a standard October afternoon. If you are asking what time is sunday football on, the short answer for this coming Sunday, January 18, 2026, is that the action starts at 3:00 p.m. ET.
But honestly, the NFL never makes it just one simple time, do they? Depending on which coast you’re on or which game you actually care about, that answer shifts.
The Sunday Divisional Round Breakdown
This Sunday is a double-header. No triple-header like we saw during Wild Card weekend. Just two heavy-hitting games that will decide who moves on to the Conference Championships.
The early window features the Houston Texans traveling to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots. That one kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET. You can catch it on ESPN or ABC. It’s pretty rare to see the Patriots as a No. 2 seed these days, but here they are, hosting a Texans team that absolutely dismantled Pittsburgh last week. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will be on the call, so expect that familiar big-game energy.
Then, once that sun starts going down, we shift to the NFC. At 6:30 p.m. ET, the Los Angeles Rams take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. This is the primetime slot on NBC. If you’re a Bears fan, you’re probably still buzzing from that win over Green Bay. If you’re a Rams fan, you’re hoping Matthew Stafford has one more magic trick left in that arm. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth are handling the broadcast for this one.
Quick Glance: Sunday, January 18, 2026
- 3:00 p.m. ET: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (ABC/ESPN)
- 6:30 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (NBC/Peacock)
Why do the times keep changing?
You might notice that what time is sunday football on feels a bit like a moving target during the playoffs. During the regular season, we are conditioned to that 1:00 p.m. and 4:25 p.m. ET rhythm.
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Playoff football is different.
The league wants the biggest possible audience, which means pushing games slightly later into the afternoon so the West Coast folks can actually wake up and have their coffee before the first snap. For the Divisional Round, the 3:00 p.m. start time is the sweet spot. It allows the first game to end just as the second game’s pre-game show is hitting its peak.
Also, keep in mind that "kickoff" isn't always the exact second the ball flies. If the schedule says 3:00, expect the actual kick closer to 3:02 or 3:05 p.m. after the national anthem and the final commercial break.
How to watch if you don't have cable
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. In fact, it’s almost easier now. For the Texans-Patriots game on ABC/ESPN, you can stream it on ESPN+. It’s a pretty seamless experience if you already have the Disney bundle.
For the nightcap—Rams vs. Bears—you’ll need Peacock. NBC streams all their NFL broadcasts there. If you have a digital antenna, you can also pull in both ABC and NBC for free, provided you’ve got a decent line of sight to your local broadcast towers.
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Then there is NFL+. This is the league's own app. It’s great if you’re stuck on a train or at a wedding you didn't want to go to, because it lets you watch live local and primetime games on your phone or tablet. Just remember you can't officially "cast" it to your big screen TV in most cases.
Looking ahead to the Conference Championships
Once the dust settles this Sunday, the schedule shifts again. Next Sunday, January 25, 2026, the times are roughly the same, but the networks flip.
The AFC Championship is usually the early game (around 3:00 p.m. ET) on CBS, and the NFC Championship takes the late slot (around 6:30 p.m. ET) on FOX. The NFL likes to keep that consistency once they hit the final four teams.
Key Dates to Circle
- January 25: Conference Championships (3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. ET)
- February 1: Pro Bowl Games (8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN)
- February 8: Super Bowl LX (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC)
What most fans get wrong about kickoff times
People often forget about the time zone trap. If you see "3:00 p.m." on a graphic, that is almost always Eastern Time. If you’re in Chicago for that Bears game, kickoff is actually 5:30 p.m. local time. If you’re in Los Angeles, you’re looking at a 12:00 p.m. start for the first game and 3:30 p.m. for the Rams.
Don't be the person who shows up to the watch party an hour late because you forgot to subtract for Central or Pacific time.
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Final game day prep
Before the games start, make sure your apps are updated. There is nothing worse than opening Peacock at 6:29 p.m. only to see a "Downloading Update" progress bar.
If you’re tracking multiple games or looking for fantasy nuggets (though most fantasy leagues are done by now), keep an eye on the weather in Chicago. Soldier Field in mid-January is no joke. The wind off Lake Michigan can turn a high-scoring passing attack into a ground-and-pound slog in a matter of minutes. That 6:30 p.m. start means it’s going to be dark and cold, which usually favors the home team.
Check your local listings one last time on Sunday morning. While these times are set by the league, "flexible scheduling" is technically a thing, though the NFL almost never moves playoff games once the Divisional brackets are locked in.
Set your clocks, prep the wings, and get ready. The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara goes through these two windows this Sunday.
To stay ahead of any last-minute weather delays or injury scratches, check the official NFL app or follow the primary beat writers for the Texans, Patriots, Rams, and Bears on social media about two hours before the 3:00 p.m. kickoff.