The playoffs always hit different when the temperature drops. If you’re checking in to see who played in the nfl today, you already know the stakes are astronomical. Today, January 18, 2026, we just wrapped up the Divisional Round, and honestly, the bracket looks nothing like people predicted back in August.
We had two massive games on the slate today. First, the Houston Texans headed up to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots. Then, the nightcap featured a legendary matchup at Soldier Field between the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears.
The AFC War: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
The afternoon game was basically a chess match between two of the brightest young minds in the league. Houston came in hot after absolutely dismantling the Steelers last week, while the Patriots were resting up with that first-round bye.
Early on, it was clear that the New England defense hadn't lost its edge during the week off. They played a physical, almost suffocating style of ball that kept C.J. Stroud off-balance for most of the first half.
But you can't keep a talent like Stroud down forever.
The Texans started finding rhythm in the third quarter by leaning on their tight ends. It wasn't always pretty. In fact, it was kinda gritty. But it worked. The Patriots countered with a heavy dose of the run game, trying to bleed the clock and keep the ball out of Houston's hands.
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If you were looking for a high-scoring shootout, this wasn't it. It was a classic January AFC slugfest where every yard felt earned and every third-down conversion felt like a miracle.
NFC Fireworks: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
The real drama, though? That happened in Chicago.
Watching Matthew Stafford walk into Soldier Field at 37 years old just feels right. The man is a warrior. The Rams were coming off a nail-biter against the Panthers, and they looked like they had plenty of gas left in the tank.
Chicago is a different beast this year.
The Bears, led by Caleb Williams, have this energy that the city hasn't seen in decades. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric—even with the wind-chill making it feel like an icebox. The question for everyone wondering who played in the nfl today was whether the rookie phenom could handle the pressure of a Sean McVay-coached squad.
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- Rams Key Players: Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams.
- Bears Key Players: Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, Colston Loveland.
The game started with a flurry. The Rams' offense is just so surgical when Stafford has time. Puka Nacua was doing Puka Nacua things, finding soft spots in the zone and making impossible catches look routine.
Chicago didn't blink. Caleb Williams used his legs more than usual today, escaping the pocket when the Rams' pass rush got home. It's that "it" factor. You either have it or you don't, and Williams clearly has it. The middle of the field was open for Colston Loveland all night, and the Bears exploited it.
Yesterday’s Leftovers: The Saturday Slate
To get the full picture of who played in the nfl today, you have to look at what happened yesterday, too. The weekend kicked off with the Buffalo Bills traveling to Denver. That game was a total heartbreaker for Bills Mafia, with the Broncos pulling out a 33-30 win in overtime.
Then we had the Seahawks and the 49ers. Seattle didn't just win; they made a statement. A 41-6 blowout is almost unheard of in the Divisional Round. Kenneth Walker III was a human highlight reel, finding the end zone three times.
The Bracket Moving Forward
So, where does this leave us? The winners of today's games are moving on to the Conference Championships on January 25.
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The AFC Championship will feature the Denver Broncos hosting the winner of the Texans-Patriots matchup. Over in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks are already waiting for either the Rams or the Bears.
It’s getting real.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is narrowing. If you’ve been following the season, you know that home-field advantage has been huge this year. Seattle looks like the team to beat right now, but never count out a veteran like Stafford or a rising star like Williams.
Actionable Insights for the Conference Championship
If you're planning on following the action next weekend, here's how to prepare:
- Check the Injury Reports Early: With the physicality of today's games, keep an eye on guys like T.J. Edwards (Bears) and the Rams' secondary. Depth is going to be the deciding factor next Sunday.
- Monitor the Weather in Seattle: The Seahawks are hosting the NFC Championship. If it’s raining or windy, that favors their heavy run game with Kenneth Walker III.
- Betting Trends: Interestingly, the "under" has been hitting frequently in these cold-weather playoff games. If the totals open high for the Denver game, look at the historical data for Empower Field in late January.
- TV Schedule: Both games on January 25 will be back-to-back. The AFC game usually kicks off around 3:00 PM ET, followed by the NFC at 6:30 PM ET.
Knowing who played in the nfl today is just the start; the real fun begins when we see how these injuries and momentum shifts carry over into the biggest games of the year.