Honestly, if you missed Saturday's action, you missed a bloodbath and a heartbreaker. The NFL playoffs have a way of doing that. One minute you're celebrating a top-seed victory, the next you're staring at a medical report that ruins your Super Bowl dreams. We saw the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantle the 49ers 41-6, and the Denver Broncos survived a 33-30 overtime nail-biter against Buffalo.
But Saturday is over.
Now, everyone is looking at the Sunday slate to see who is playing in the nfl this weekend to fill out those conference championship slots. We have two massive matchups left on the docket for today, Sunday, January 18, 2026. The stakes? A trip to face Denver or Seattle next weekend.
The Sunday Schedule: Times and Channels
If you're planning your day around the couch, here is the literal breakdown of the games remaining. No fluff.
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
- Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN / ABC / ESPN+
- The Vibe: The underdog Texans trying to upset a 14-3 Patriots juggernaut in the Foxborough cold.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
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- Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: NBC / Peacock
- The Vibe: A high-flying Rams offense (ranked #1 in the league) vs. a Bears team trying to defend Soldier Field in mid-January.
Why the Texans vs. Patriots Game is Weirder Than You Think
New England is sitting pretty at 14-3, but don't let the record fool you into thinking this is a blowout. Houston enters this game as the No. 5 seed, having already proven they can handle playoff pressure on the road.
The Patriots have that classic "Death Star" feel again, but the Texans’ defense has been surprisingly opportunistic lately. Most analysts, including those over at CBS Sports, have pointed out that while New England is the favorite, they've struggled with mobile quarterbacks who can extend plays when the initial protection breaks down.
The winner of this game gets a trip to Denver next Sunday.
Wait. There’s a massive caveat to that "trip to Denver."
The Bo Nix Disaster
The biggest news hovering over the AFC right now isn't even about the teams playing today. It’s about the team they’ll have to play next. Denver won their game yesterday, but they lost their franchise. Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle in overtime against the Bills. He’s out. Done. Season over.
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So, if Houston or New England wins today, they aren't just going to Denver to face a No. 1 seed; they’re going there to face Jarrett Stidham. That completely changes the math for how we look at who is playing in the nfl this weekend. Suddenly, the path to the Super Bowl looks a lot wider for whoever survives this afternoon in Foxborough.
Rams at Bears: Offense vs. The Elements
This is the nightcap, and it’s a fascinating contrast. You’ve got the Los Angeles Rams, who have been absolute statistical darlings this year. They lead the NFL in yards per game (394.6). They move the ball at will.
Then you have the Chicago Bears.
Playing in Chicago in late January is a different kind of football. The Bears are 11-6 and have been solid, but their defense is ranked 23rd in points allowed. That’s a scary stat when you’re facing the most explosive offense in the league. However, the "Soldier Field Factor" is real. If the wind picks up and the temperature drops, that high-flying Rams passing attack might start to look a little human.
The Seattle Shadow
The winner of Rams-Bears has the "reward" of traveling to Lumen Field to face the Seahawks. Seattle looked like the best team in football yesterday. Sam Darnold—yes, that Sam Darnold—managed the game perfectly, and that defense held San Francisco to a measly 6 points.
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Whether it's the Rams or the Bears, they’ll be walking into a hornet's nest next week.
What Really Matters for Your Bracket
If you're tracking the seeds and the movement, here’s the reality of the situation. The NFL re-seeds after every round.
- Denver (1) is locked in to host the AFC Championship.
- Seattle (1) is locked in to host the NFC Championship.
Because both No. 1 seeds won on Saturday, the bracket is actually quite simple now. There are no "upset" scenarios that move the location of the games next week. The road to Super Bowl 60 officially goes through the mountains of Colorado and the rain of Washington state.
Key Stats to Watch Today
- Rams' Yardage: If LA hits their 390+ yard average, Chicago likely can't keep up.
- Patriots' Pressure: New England’s defensive front needs to rattle the Texans early; otherwise, Houston stays in these games way too long.
- Weather Reports: Keep an eye on the Chicago wind speeds. Anything over 15 mph starts to mess with the deep balls the Rams love.
Actionable Strategy for the Games
If you are watching today or looking to make some moves, keep the "Stidham Factor" in mind. The value of the AFC champion just shifted dramatically.
- Watch the first quarter in Chicago: See how the Rams' receivers handle the turf. If they're slipping early, the Bears have a massive opening.
- Monitor the Patriots' run game: New England needs to shorten the game to keep Houston's offense off the field. If they can't establish the run in the first 20 minutes, expect a dogfight.
The Divisional Round is arguably the best weekend of football all year. Enjoy the games, keep the injury reports open, and get ready for a weird AFC Championship game next week regardless of who wins today.
Check your local listings as some markets might shift the ABC/ESPN simulcast, but generally, if you have a basic cable package or Peacock/ESPN+, you’re covered for the rest of the weekend.