You’re staring at the screen, phone in hand, wondering if your parlay is still alive or if your team just blew a fourteen-point lead. It happens. We’ve all been there, especially on a massive sports Sunday like this. Today is January 18, 2026, and if you’re asking what’s the score tonight, you aren’t just looking for numbers; you’re looking for the stories unfolding across the NFL divisional playoffs, the NBA hardwood, and the frozen rinks of the NHL.
The energy today is electric. We’re deep into the NFL postseason, the Australian Open is just kicking off its first-round drama in Melbourne, and the European soccer leagues are in the thick of a winter grind that separates the contenders from the pretenders.
NFL Divisional Playoffs: The Road to Super Bowl LX
Tonight’s NFL slate is the crown jewel of the weekend. We are in the Divisional Round—the weekend many football purists actually prefer over the Super Bowl because the quality of play is usually higher and the desperation is palpable.
The late-afternoon window featured the Houston Texans taking on the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff was set for 3:05 PM ET on ABC. Coming into this, the Patriots were sitting pretty as the No. 2 seed with a 14-3 record, but C.J. Stroud and the Texans (12-5) haven’t played like underdogs all year. If you missed the early action, the narrative was all about whether the New England defense could contain Houston's vertical threat or if the frosty Foxborough air would stall the Texans' high-flying offense.
But the real heavyweight bout—the one everyone is checking for when they ask what's the score tonight—is the primetime clash at Soldier Field.
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Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:40 PM ET
- Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago
- Weather: 19°F with snow showers (True "Bear Weather")
The Rams (12-5) travel into a literal freezer to face the No. 2 seed Chicago Bears (11-6). This isn't just a game; it's a clash of generations. You have the veteran Matthew Stafford, who seemingly has a bionic arm at this point, going up against Caleb Williams in a stadium that’s basically a wind tunnel tonight.
Oddsmakers had the Rams as 4-point favorites, which is wild considering the home-field advantage in Chicago during a January snowstorm. The over/under was set at 48.5, but with the "Snow Showers" forecast, that "under" is looking like a tempting play for the cautious. Keep an eye on the ground game here; Kyren Williams for the Rams and D’Andre Swift for the Bears are going to be the ones carrying the load if the passing lanes get iced over.
NBA Sunday: Hoops from London to Sacramento
If you’re not a football fan, the NBA has a bizarre and beautiful schedule today. We actually started the day with an international flavor. The Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic tipped off at 12:00 PM ET at The O2 Arena in London.
For the night owls and West Coast fans, here’s what the evening looks like:
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- Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets: 7:00 PM ET. This is a battle for Eastern Conference seeding. Both teams are hovering around the .500 mark and desperately need to stack wins before the All-Star break.
- Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans: 7:00 PM ET. A Southwest Division rivalry that usually ends up in a high-scoring track meet.
- Denver Nuggets vs. Charlotte Hornets: 8:00 PM ET. Nikola Jokic in Denver is always appointment television. The Hornets have been scrappy this year, but stopping the Joker in the altitude of Ball Arena is a different beast.
- Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers: 9:00 PM ET. This one is likely to be the highest-scoring game of the night. Expect plenty of three-pointers and very little defensive resistance.
NHL: Ice Fever and the Battle for the North
Hockey is in full swing tonight with three games that have significant playoff implications.
- Dallas Stars vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (2:00 PM ET): An afternoon delight that saw two veteran squads go at it.
- Detroit Red Wings vs. Ottawa Senators (5:00 PM ET): This is a classic Atlantic Division scrap. The Red Wings are fighting to keep their spot in the top three of the division, while Ottawa is trying to climb out of the basement. Watch for Alex DeBrincat—he usually haunts his former teams.
- Edmonton Oilers vs. St. Louis Blues (8:00 PM ET): This is the game to watch on the ice tonight. Connor McDavid and the Oilers are massive favorites (-162), and for good reason. The Blues (19-21-8) have struggled with consistency, and trying to slow down the Oilers' power play in Edmonton is a nightmare scenario for any goaltender.
Soccer: Premier League and Beyond
In the UK, the Premier League title race took a fascinating turn. Arsenal actually played yesterday, drawing 0-0 with Nottingham Forest, which left the door cracked open for the chasing pack.
Today, Aston Villa hosts Everton (11:30 AM ET). This is massive because a Villa win would narrow the gap at the top of the table to just four points. Unai Emery has turned Villa Park into a fortress, and Everton is fighting for every scrap to avoid the relegation zone. Honestly, these are the games that define a season—the rainy Sunday grinds where a single set-piece goal changes everything.
Over in Spain, Real Sociedad takes on Barcelona at 8:00 PM local time. Barcelona has been dominant, but a trip to San Sebastián is never easy. It’s one of those grounds where the crowd is right on top of you and the grass always seems a bit faster.
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Why Knowing the Score Tonight Matters
Sports aren't just about the final tally. They are about the momentum shifts. When you check what’s the score tonight, you’re seeing if the "underdog" Texans can actually shock the world, or if the Bears' defense can relive their 1985 glory in the Chicago cold.
The biggest misconception in sports betting and fandom is that the better team on paper always wins. On a day like today—January 18—the weather in Chicago or the jet lag from a London NBA game plays a massive role.
Actionable Insights for Tonight's Games:
- Monitor the Weather in Chicago: If the snow picks up at Soldier Field, pivot your expectations toward a low-scoring, defensive struggle. Points will be at a premium.
- Watch the Injury Reports: In the NBA, late scratches are common on Sundays. Check for "load management" updates 30 minutes before tip-off for the Rockets and Kings games.
- Oilers Power Play: If you’re watching the NHL, keep an eye on the first five minutes of any Edmonton power play. They lead the league in conversion rate, and St. Louis has one of the most penalized defensive cores lately.
Check your local listings—NBC has the NFL finale, ESPN+ is your home for the NHL, and the NBA games are spread across regional networks and NBA League Pass. It’s a long night of sports, so settle in.
To stay ahead of the action, sync your mobile calendar with your favorite team’s schedule and set alerts for "close game" notifications in the fourth quarter or third period. This ensures you never miss a buzzer-beater or a game-winning drive when the score is tight.