If you’re scrambling to find out what time is the New England game today, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, here is the short answer: The Patriots do not play today.
Wait. Don’t close the tab yet.
While the NFL Divisional Round officially kicks off today with a massive doubleheader, the New England Patriots actually take the field tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET. They’re hosting the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. It’s the "afternoon" slot of the divisional weekend, and honestly, it’s the game everyone in the AFC is sweating right now. If you were planning your Saturday around a Drake Maye deep ball, you’ve got 24 hours to marinate in the anticipation.
Why the Patriots Play Tomorrow (Not Today)
The NFL spreads the Divisional Round across two days to maximize the TV eyeballs. Today—Saturday, Jan. 17—is reserved for the Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET) and the San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (8:00 p.m. ET).
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New England, having secured the No. 2 seed after a dominant 14-3 regular season and a Wild Card win over the Chargers last week, gets the Sunday spotlight. It’s basically the prime position for the AFC bracket.
The Essential Game Info: Jan. 18, 2026
- Matchup: Houston Texans (No. 5 seed) at New England Patriots (No. 2 seed)
- Kickoff Time: 3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT
- Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
- TV Channel: ESPN / ABC (Simulcast)
- Broadcasters: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
How to Watch the New England Game
Because this is a playoff game, it’s not hidden away on a niche streaming service. Since it’s on ABC and ESPN, you’ve got options. If you still have a digital antenna, you can pull the ABC signal for free.
For the streamers, you’re looking at ESPN+, Fubo, or YouTube TV. If you are outside the U.S., DAZN is usually the go-to for the international feed. The 98.5 The Sports Hub radio broadcast is the move if you’re stuck in the car, mostly because Scott Zolak’s energy during a playoff game is unmatched.
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The Stroud vs. Maye Factor
This isn't your older brother's Patriots team. We aren't talking about dink-and-dunk passes and "doing your job" in total silence. Head Coach Mike Vrabel has this squad playing with a different kind of edge.
Drake Maye has looked like the real deal, but he’s running into a Houston defense that just made history. The Texans literally just became the first team since the 1940s to score multiple defensive touchdowns while allowing zero touchdowns in a playoff game (RIP to the Steelers’ season).
C.J. Stroud is coming into Foxborough with nothing to lose. Houston started the season 0-3 and somehow clawed their way here. If they beat New England, they’re in their first-ever AFC Championship. The stakes are legitimately through the roof.
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Weather and Betting Nuances
Keep an eye on the Foxborough forecast. It’s January. It’s New England. Early reports suggest it’s going to be freezing with a chance of light snow.
The Spread: Patriots are currently -3.5 favorites.
The Total: 40.5 (The "Under" looks tempting if the wind picks up).
The injury report is the real story today, though. Christian Gonzalez seems to have cleared concussion protocol, which is massive because he’ll be tasked with shadowing Jayden Higgins. Houston is missing Nico Collins, which is a huge blow to Stroud’s deep-ball options.
Actionable Tips for Patriots Fans
- Sync Your Calendar: If you thought the game was today, double-check your Sunday plans now. The 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff means the game will wrap around 6:15 p.m. ET.
- Check the "Out of Market" Status: If you’re traveling, remember that local ABC affiliates vary. If you’re using a VPN, set it to Boston or Houston to ensure the ESPN+ stream doesn't give you any "blackout" headaches.
- Prepare for the Cold: If you are one of the lucky ones with a ticket to Gillette, the "real feel" temperature is expected to be in the low 20s by kickoff.
The road to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara goes through Foxborough this weekend. While today is for watching the Bills and Broncos beat each other up, tomorrow is when the real work begins for New England. Get the snacks ready for Sunday.