Honestly, if you aren't glued to a screen today, you're missing the absolute peak of the 2026 NFL season. We are right in the thick of the Divisional Round, and the stakes literally couldn't be higher. After a Saturday that saw the top seeds absolutely flex their muscles, Sunday is all about the "new blood" and the veteran icons trying to keep their seats at the table.
If you’re looking for who is playing nfl football right now, you’ve got two massive matchups on the docket for today, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
The first game features the Houston Texans traveling to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots. Kickoff is set for 3:00 PM ET. This one is a fascinating clash of styles—you’ve got the Patriots, led by their sensational young QB Drake Maye, facing a Houston team that just notched its first-ever road playoff win last week against the Steelers.
Later tonight, the action moves to the "Windy City" for a primetime showdown. The Los Angeles Rams are visiting the Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET. Soldier Field is going to be electric. This isn't just a game; it's a legacy moment for Caleb Williams, who has somehow dragged the Bears back into relevance, facing off against a Matthew Stafford-led Rams squad that looks like they haven't aged a day since their last Super Bowl run.
Why the Divisional Round is the best weekend in sports
Most fans will tell you that the Super Bowl is the "biggest" game, but real football junkies know the Divisional Round is where the best actual football happens. You've got the rested No. 1 seeds coming off their bye weeks, facing the battle-tested winners of the Wild Card round.
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Yesterday gave us a taste of that dominance. The Seattle Seahawks, the NFC's top seed, absolutely dismantled the San Francisco 49ers with a 41-6 blowout. Rashid Shaheed basically ended the game before it started with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the very first play. Lumen Field actually registered seismic activity—the fans were that loud.
On the AFC side, the Denver Broncos barely survived a 33-30 overtime thriller against the Buffalo Bills. So, the winners of today’s games already know who they’ll be playing for a trip to the Super Bowl next week.
Texans at Patriots: The Drake Maye Era vs. The Houston Surge
This 3:00 PM ET kickoff on ABC and ESPN is a total toss-up. Drake Maye has transformed New England faster than anyone expected. The Patriots aren't just the "boring" defensive team of the past; they’ve got a vertical threat now that keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
But don't sleep on Houston. They came into the playoffs as the No. 5 seed and looked absolutely surgical in their 30-6 win over Pittsburgh. They’re playing with house money, and that makes them dangerous. They are one of 12 teams to never win a Super Bowl, and you can feel the desperation in their play—it’s gritty, it’s fast, and it’s fun to watch.
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Rams at Bears: Caleb Williams’ Moment of Truth
When the sun goes down in Chicago tonight, the lights on NBC will be bright. The Los Angeles Rams are currently 4-point favorites, but the Bears at home are a different beast.
Caleb Williams has been nothing short of spectacular, leading a comeback against the Packers last week after being down 18 points at halftime. The Rams, though, have Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua. Stafford put up 46 touchdowns this year. Forty-six! That’s a video game number. If the Bears’ defense, led by Montez Sweat, can’t get home and rattle Stafford, it might be a long night for Chicago.
How to watch the games today
If you’re trying to catch the action live, here is the breakdown of where to find them:
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: 3:00 PM ET on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: 6:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock.
For those on the go, NFL+ is streaming everything to mobile devices. Just make sure your battery is charged because both of these games have "overtime" written all over them.
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The weather in Foxborough looks crisp but clear, which favors Maye’s arm. Chicago, however, is looking at some typical mid-January wind. That could turn the Rams-Bears game into a "ground and pound" affair, which might actually favor the Bears' D'Andre Swift over the Rams' high-flying passing attack.
What’s next for the winners?
The bracket is starting to look very clear. The winner of Texans-Patriots will head to Denver next Sunday to face the Broncos in the AFC Championship.
Over in the NFC, the Seahawks are already waiting. They will host the winner of Rams-Bears at Lumen Field. Honestly, the thought of a Rams vs. Seahawks NFC Championship is enough to make any West Coast football fan lose their mind, but the Bears are the ultimate spoilers this year.
Things to watch for in today’s matchups:
- The Red Zone: Houston has been incredible inside the 20-yard line lately. If they can turn those trips into seven points instead of three, they can pull the upset.
- The "Stafford Factor": He’s been in these spots a dozen times. Caleb Williams is in his first. Experience usually wins out in the Divisional Round, but Williams has a knack for the "impossible" play.
- Injuries: Keep an eye on the Bears' wide receiver Rome Odunze. He’s been listed as questionable with a foot injury. If he can't go, the Rams can double-team DJ Moore all night.
Basically, cancel your plans. Today isn't just about who is playing nfl football right now; it's about seeing which of these four teams actually has the "stuff" to make it to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, start looking at the early lines for the Conference Championships tomorrow morning. The Seahawks are already heavy favorites to win the NFC, but as we saw with the Broncos yesterday, anything can happen when the clock starts ticking.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the local weather for Chicago before kickoff; if the wind gusts exceed 20 mph, lean toward the "Under" on total points.
- Synchronize your streaming apps now to avoid the 3:00 PM login rush.
- Keep a close eye on the injury report for Rome Odunze (Bears) and Nick McCloud (Rams) roughly 90 minutes before kickoff.