The tension at Gillette Stadium is basically vibrating through the screen. If you're checking to see who is playing right now nfl, you've caught the league at its absolute peak. We are deep into the Divisional Round of the 2026 playoffs. Right now, the Houston Texans are taking on the New England Patriots in a game that feels like a changing of the guard for the AFC.
It's Sunday, January 18. This isn't just another game.
The Patriots, led by Drake Maye, are trying to reclaim that dynastic magic they haven't really felt since 2018. On the other side, C.J. Stroud and the Texans are looking for their first-ever trip to a Conference Championship. Honestly, the vibes in Foxborough are intense because the winner gets a date with the Denver Broncos next week.
NFL Games Today: The Divisional Sunday Doubleheader
If you missed the start of the Texans-Patriots game, don't sweat it. The NFL scheduled a massive double-header for today. Here is the layout of the land for the rest of this afternoon and evening.
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- Game 1 (In Progress): Houston Texans at New England Patriots. Kickoff was at 3:00 PM ET. You can catch this on ABC or ESPN.
- Game 2 (Upcoming): Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM ET. This one is the primetime slot on NBC and Peacock.
The early game is a chess match. New England's defense has been a brick wall all season, but Stroud is playing with a "nothing to lose" confidence that is terrifying for opposing coordinators. The Patriots are the No. 2 seed for a reason, though. They’ve been surgical.
Then we have the nightcap. The Rams and Bears? That’s going to be a shootout. Matthew Stafford is currently the betting favorite for MVP, which is wild considering he’s doing this in the twilight of his career. But Caleb Williams and the Bears are playing at Soldier Field. The forecast says snow showers and 18 degrees.
It's going to be brutal. It's going to be perfect.
Why Today’s Matchups Actually Matter
Yesterday was a bloodbath. The Denver Broncos barely survived the Buffalo Bills in an overtime thriller, 33-30. Then the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantled the 49ers 41-6. Because the No. 1 seeds (Denver and Seattle) both won, the stakes today are crystal clear.
The winner of the Texans-Patriots game travels to Denver next Sunday. The winner of Rams-Bears has to fly out to Seattle.
What's fascinating is the quarterback drama. Drake Maye and C.J. Stroud represent the new era of the AFC. With the usual giants like Mahomes or Allen either out or sidelined, these two are fighting for the crown. In the NFC, you have the ultimate "Old Guard vs. New Blood" battle. Stafford has the rings and the resume. Caleb Williams has the generational hype and a city that is finally, after decades, believing in a franchise QB again.
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Breaking Down the Rams vs. Bears Primetime Slot
When you look at who is playing right now nfl later tonight, all eyes shift to Chicago. The Bears reached this spot by pulling off an insane 18-point comeback against the Packers last weekend. That kind of momentum is hard to stop, especially when the wind is whipping off Lake Michigan.
But the Rams aren't the Panthers. They aren't going to let a lead slip that easily.
Sean McVay has this offense humming. They beat Carolina 34-31 in the Wild Card round, and Stafford looked like he was 25 again. The concern for L.A. is the injury report. They’ve got a lot of guys on IR, including veteran tackle Rob Havenstein and tight end Tyler Higbee. If the Bears' pass rush gets home, it could be a long night for Stafford.
Chicago is dealing with their own issues, specifically on the defensive side. Losing linebacker T.J. Edwards to a fractured fibula is a massive blow to their middle-field coverage. Expect McVay to exploit that with crossing routes all night long.
How to Watch and Follow Live
If you’re away from your TV, you’ve got options.
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- Texans vs. Patriots: Stream it on the ESPN app or watch on ABC.
- Rams vs. Bears: NBC is the home for this, but if you're a cord-cutter, Peacock is your best friend.
- Radio: SiriusXM has the home and away feeds for both. Channel 226 for the Rams and 228 for the Bears.
What Happens Next?
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting very short. By the time the clock hits zero in Chicago tonight, we will have our Final Four.
If you're betting or just following for the drama, keep an eye on the weather in Chicago. Cold games favor the team that can run the ball and protect it. The Bears have shown they can handle the elements, but the Rams are a dome team traveling into a refrigerator.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the injury updates for the Rams' offensive line before kickoff at 6:30 PM ET; it will dictate how much time Stafford has to throw.
- Sync your fantasy or playoff challenge lineups if you're playing in a league that allows late-game swaps.
- Monitor the AFC scoreboard—if the Texans pull the upset, they'll be the first No. 5 seed in years to look like a legitimate threat to win the whole thing in Denver next week.