If you’ve been glued to the couch all weekend, you already know the stakes. We are officially halfway through the 2026 NFL Divisional Round, and honestly, the bracket is getting spicy. Saturday gave us a heavy dose of AFC West drama and a rainy clash in the Pacific Northwest, but today is where the real "heavyweight" matchups live. If you are asking who is playing Sunday NFL games today, January 18, 2026, the answer is a pair of high-stakes showdowns featuring some of the league's brightest young quarterbacks and legendary franchises trying to reclaim their former glory.
The Divisional Round is often called the best weekend of football for a reason. There are no fluke teams left. No "happy to be here" stories. Just four teams today fighting for a ticket to the AFC and NFC Championship games.
The AFC Afternoon: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
First up at 3:00 p.m. ET, we head to Foxborough. The (5) Houston Texans are visiting the (2) New England Patriots. This game is basically a "clash of the timelines." On one side, you’ve got C.J. Stroud, who has turned the Texans from a basement-dweller into a legitimate powerhouse in record time. On the other, the Patriots are back in the Divisional Round with Drake Maye under center, proving that life after the dynasty years might actually be okay.
New England enters as the favorite, largely because Gillette Stadium in January is a nightmare for visiting teams. The Patriots (14-3) locked up the No. 2 seed by being incredibly disciplined. They aren't flashy, but they don't beat themselves.
Game Details for Texans vs. Patriots:
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- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN / ABC
- Streaming: ESPN+
- Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
The Texans (12-5) are coming off a dominant 30-6 win over the Steelers in the Wild Card round. They’re playing with house money. Stroud has been surgical, and the connection with Nico Collins is the best it's ever been. But can they handle the New England defense? The Pats allowed the second-fewest points in the league this year. It’s gonna be a chess match.
The NFC Nightcap: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
When the sun goes down, the lights come up at Soldier Field. At 6:30 p.m. ET, the (5) Los Angeles Rams take on the (2) Chicago Bears. This is the one everyone is talking about. It’s Matthew Stafford, the savvy veteran who refuses to age, against Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick who has finally given Chicago the superstar QB they’ve craved for decades.
Chicago (11-6) earned their spot after a nail-biting 31-27 victory over the Packers last weekend. The city is vibrating right now. Honestly, if you aren't in Chicago, you can't imagine the hype. Caleb Williams has been as advertised, throwing for over 4,000 yards in his sophomore campaign.
Game Details for Rams vs. Bears:
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- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
The Rams (12-5) are the ultimate "dangerous" team. They took down the Panthers 34-31 in a shootout last week. Sean McVay has this offense humming, and Puka Nacua is still catching everything thrown in his general direction. The weather forecast for Chicago tonight is "chilly but clear," which actually favors the Rams' passing attack more than a blizzard would. Still, the Bears' secondary is opportunistic. One mistake from Stafford could flip the whole game.
What Most People Get Wrong About Today's Games
A lot of folks assume that because the Patriots and Bears are the higher seeds, they'll cruise. That’s a mistake. In the 2026 playoffs, the gap between the No. 2 and No. 5 seeds has been razor-thin. Both the Texans and Rams are "hot" teams coming off big wins.
There's also the "Quarterback Narrative." People love to focus on the young guys—Stroud, Maye, Williams—but the real story today might be the defenses.
- New England's scheme: They specialize in taking away your #1 option. C.J. Stroud is going to have to find his third and fourth reads today.
- Chicago's pass rush: If the Bears can't get to Stafford, he will pick them apart. They need Montez Sweat and that front four to be disruptive from the first snap.
How to Watch and Follow the Action
If you’re trying to catch both games, you’ll need a mix of cable and streaming. The afternoon game is an ESPN/ABC production, so it’s easy to find on most basic packages. The night game is an NBC exclusive, which means Peacock is your best friend if you don't have a traditional antenna or cable box.
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Sunday NFL Schedule At-a-Glance
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Texans @ Patriots | 3:00 PM | ABC/ESPN |
| Rams @ Bears | 6:30 PM | NBC/Peacock |
Key Players to Watch
Keep an eye on Will Anderson Jr. for the Texans. He needs to make Drake Maye uncomfortable early. If Maye gets into a rhythm, the Patriots are hard to stop. For the late game, watch Rome Odunze. The rookie-sophomore connection between him and Williams has been the engine for Chicago all year. On the Rams' side, Kyren Williams is the X-factor. If he can run for 100+ yards, it takes the pressure off Stafford and keeps the Chicago crowd quiet.
Actionable Insights for Fans
To get the most out of today's games, here is what you should do:
- Monitor the injury reports: Check the final "active/inactive" lists about 90 minutes before each kickoff. Late scratches in the secondary could change the entire outlook of these pass-heavy matchups.
- Set up your stream early: Peacock has been known to have a bit of a lag during high-traffic playoff games. Get the app running 15 minutes before the 6:30 p.m. kickoff to avoid the "spinning wheel of death" during the first drive.
- Look at the weather: While it’s not expected to snow in Chicago, the wind off Lake Michigan can be unpredictable. If the flags at Soldier Field are whipping, expect more conservative play-calling from both McVay and the Bears' staff.
The winners today move on to face the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks next Sunday. It's win or go home time. Enjoy the games.