It is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and if you're asking who playing tonight on nfl football, you’ve basically hit the jackpot of the postseason. We are right in the thick of the Divisional Round. This is where the pretenders have been weeded out, and the survivors are fighting for a spot in the Conference Championships.
Honestly, today is a split screen between the frozen tundra of the Midwest and the chilly coastal air of New England. We have two games on the slate. One determines who travels to Denver next week, and the other decides who has to deal with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC title game.
The AFC Showdown: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
First up, at 3:00 p.m. ET, the (5) Houston Texans are heading into Gillette Stadium to take on the (2) New England Patriots. You can catch this one on ESPN/ABC.
This game is a fascinating chess match. The Texans (12-5) are coming off a dominant 30-6 win over the Steelers in the Wild Card round. They look dangerous. Meanwhile, the Patriots (14-3) had a bye last week and are rested, though "rested" in January sometimes just means "had more time to overthink."
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The stakes here are massive because of what happened yesterday. The Denver Broncos narrowly escaped the Buffalo Bills with a 33-30 overtime win, but they lost their star quarterback Bo Nix to a season-ending ankle injury. Adam Schefter confirmed it late last night. So, whoever wins this Texans-Patriots game today isn't just moving on—they’re moving on to face a Denver team that is suddenly very vulnerable.
Key Matchup: Stroud vs. the New England Secondary
C.J. Stroud has been playing like a veteran, but Bill Belichick’s disciples in Foxborough always have a way of making young QBs see ghosts.
- Texans Offense: Relying on explosive plays and Stroud's poise.
- Patriots Defense: Historically great at taking away a team's #1 option.
- Weather: It’s January in Massachusetts. Expect wind. Expect a "heavy" ball.
The NFC Primetime Battle: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
The nightcap is the one everyone in the Windy City is buzzing about. At 6:30 p.m. ET, the (5) Los Angeles Rams (12-5) face the (2) Chicago Bears (11-6) at Soldier Field. You can find this on NBC and Peacock.
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If you're wondering who playing tonight on nfl football for the late-night slot, this is it. It’s going to be cold. Like, "19 degrees with snow showers" cold. That’s a brutal environment for a team coming from sunny Southern California, but the Rams are battle-tested. They just beat the Panthers 34-31 in a nail-biter last week.
The Bears, on the other hand, handled the Packers 31-27 in the Wild Card round. Soldier Field has been a fortress lately, with the Bears going 4-1 in their last five home games. But the injury report is a bit of a mess for Chicago. They just lost T.J. Edwards to a fractured fibula and Ozzy Trapilo to a ruptured patellar tendon. That’s a lot of leadership to lose right before a playoff game.
What to Watch for in Chicago
The Rams are currently 4-point favorites, which is interesting considering they are the road team in a frozen environment.
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- Matthew Stafford’s Experience: He’s played in plenty of cold-weather games from his Detroit days. He won't be rattled.
- The Bears' Ground Game: With the snow expected, the Bears need to establish the run early to take the pressure off the passing game.
- The "Under" Factor: Statistically, the under is 6-3 in Chicago home games this season. With 19-degree weather and snow, don't expect a 50-point shootout.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Super Bowl LX
Whoever survives today doesn't get much time to celebrate. The winners of today's games move into the Conference Championship round on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The Seattle Seahawks are already waiting for the winner of Rams-Bears. They absolutely dismantled the 49ers yesterday, 41-6. Seriously, it wasn't even close. Rashid Shaheed returned the opening kickoff for a TD, and Kenneth Walker III tied a franchise record with three rushing scores. Seattle looks like the team to beat in the NFC.
In the AFC, as mentioned, the winner of Texans-Patriots will travel to Denver. Even without Bo Nix, the Broncos are the #1 seed and will have the home-field advantage at Empower Field at Mile High.
Actionable Insights for Today’s Games
- Monitor the Weather: In Chicago specifically, the snow could shift the betting lines and the game plan. Check the radar about 30 minutes before kickoff.
- Watch the Injury Reports: Keep an eye on the Rams' secondary and the Bears' linebacker depth. With T.J. Edwards out, the middle of the field might be open for the Rams' tight ends.
- Streaming Options: If you aren't near a TV, Peacock is the go-to for the night game, while the ESPN app or NFL+ will handle the afternoon kickoff.
The Divisional Round is often the best weekend of the entire NFL season. The talent gap is almost nonexistent, and the desperation is at an all-time high. Grab your snacks, settle in, and enjoy some January football.
Immediate Next Steps:
- Check the local weather forecast for Chicago (Soldier Field) at 5:00 p.m. local time to see if the snow accumulation will impact field conditions.
- Confirm your streaming logins for Peacock (NBC) and the ESPN/ABC app to avoid missing the first quarter of the afternoon game.
- Monitor late-breaking injury news regarding the Bears' defensive depth, as active/inactive lists are typically released 90 minutes before kickoff.