The regular season is a marathon, but January is a street fight. If you're asking who is playing this Sunday, you’re looking at the high-stakes Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. We’ve survived the Wild Card chaos, and now the field is down to the final eight. This Sunday, January 18, 2026, features a double-header that basically dictates the path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
No more filler. No more "maybe next year." This is where the real contenders separate themselves from the teams that just got lucky in the opening round.
The AFC Early Slot: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
First up, we’ve got the Houston Texans heading into the freezer at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. Honestly, nobody expected the Texans to look this polished after their dominant 30-6 win over the Steelers last Monday, but here they are. They aren't just "happy to be here" anymore.
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The Patriots, meanwhile, are coming off a bye week. As the AFC’s No. 2 seed, they’ve had plenty of time to get healthy. It’s a classic matchup: the young, surging Texans defense against a New England squad that has more playoff experience in their pinky finger than most of the league combined.
Watch for the Texans' defensive front. They completely dismantled Pittsburgh's run game last week. If they can get into the backfield early, they might actually rattle the Patriots' veteran-led offense. But remember, Foxborough in January is a different beast. The wind off the Atlantic does things to the football that indoor teams aren't always ready for.
The Primetime NFC Showdown: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
This is the big one. If you only watch one game, make it this one. The Los Angeles Rams travel to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. local Chicago time). You can catch this on NBC or stream it on Peacock.
The atmosphere in Chicago is going to be electric—and probably freezing. The Bears held off a late-game surge from the Packers in the Wild Card round to secure their spot here. Now, they have to face a Rams team that just survived a 34-31 shootout against the Panthers.
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Why this game is weird
The Rams and Bears actually played back in Week 4. Chicago took that one 24-18, but that was a lifetime ago in football years. Matthew Stafford has been on a tear lately, throwing for over 4,700 yards this season, but he’s dealing with a sprained right index finger. Coach Sean McVay says he's "optimistic," but on a cold night in Chicago, that grip is going to matter.
The Bears defense has been the story of their season. They specialize in forcing turnovers at exactly the right time. Caleb Williams only threw for 157 yards in their last meeting, but he didn't need to do more because the defense smothered the Rams' receivers. This time? Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are healthy. That changes the math significantly.
Breaking Down the Sunday Schedule
If you're trying to plan your Sunday around the couch, here is the exact timing you need to know.
Game 1: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
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- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Channel: ABC / ESPN / ESPN+
- Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Game 2: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: NBC / Peacock
- Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
What’s Actually at Stake?
The winners of these two games move directly to the Conference Championship round on Sunday, January 25. If the Texans pull off the upset, they'll likely be heading to Denver (if the Broncos beat the Bills on Saturday). If the Bears win, they stay on the path toward an NFC North dream scenario.
It’s worth noting that the betting lines are tight. Most books have the Patriots as slight favorites at home, but the Rams-Bears game is basically a pick 'em. The weather forecast for Chicago is calling for temperatures in the low 20s. For a Rams team used to the controlled climate of SoFi Stadium, that’s a massive factor.
How to Watch if You’re Not Near a TV
You don't have to be glued to your living room.
The early game (Texans/Patriots) is streaming on ESPN+. The late game (Rams/Bears) is a Peacock exclusive for streamers, though it will be on local NBC affiliates. If you’re on the move, the NFL+ app carries the local broadcasts for both games on mobile devices.
Radio listeners can find the Rams-Bears national broadcast on Westwood One, featuring Kevin Harlan on the call. If you want the local Chicago flavor, tune into WBBM 780 AM.
Actionable Tips for Sunday
- Check the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on Rams guard Kevin Dotson. He’s been limited in practice, and if he can't go, Stafford is going to have Bears defenders in his face all night.
- Verify Your Streaming Login: Don't wait until 6:29 p.m. to realize your Peacock subscription expired. NBC games on Sunday night often have a slight delay on streaming, so stay off social media if you don't want spoilers.
- Monitor the Chicago Wind: If the gusts at Soldier Field top 15 mph, the kicking game becomes a nightmare. This usually leads to more fourth-down attempts, which completely changes how coaches manage the game.
The road to Super Bowl LX is narrowing. By the time the clock hits zero on Sunday night, we'll know exactly which four teams are left standing.