It is officially one of the best days on the sporting calendar. If you’ve been asking who plays in nfl game tonight, you’re looking at the conclusion of the Divisional Round—the weekend many football purists actually prefer over the Super Bowl because the quality of play is usually through the roof.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. We have two massive playoff games on the slate that will determine who moves on to the AFC and NFC Championship games next week. It's a double-header of "win or go home" football, featuring a mix of legendary veteran coaching and the new era of superstar quarterbacks.
The Early Window: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
First up, the AFC takes center stage.
At 3:00 p.m. ET, the Houston Texans travel to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots. This game is being broadcast on ESPN and ABC. It's a fascinating matchup because of the quarterback narrative. On one side, you have C.J. Stroud, who has basically turned the Texans from a cellar-dweller into a perennial powerhouse in record time. On the other, you have Drake Maye, the Patriots' young signal-caller who has the New England faithful believing the post-Brady dark ages are finally over.
The Texans are coming off a dominant 30-6 road win against the Steelers. That was actually the first road playoff win in their franchise history. Talk about momentum. Meanwhile, the Patriots had to sweat out a 16-13 defensive slugfest against the Chargers last week.
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Expect a tactical chess match here. Jerod Mayo has that New England defense playing like a brick wall, but Stroud's ability to navigate the pocket and find Nico Collins—if he's cleared—is a problem for anyone.
Who Plays in NFL Game Tonight: The Primetime Main Event
If you're looking for the big primetime slot, the game everyone is circling is in the NFC.
At 6:30 p.m. ET, the Los Angeles Rams take on the Chicago Bears at a frigid Soldier Field. This is the official "game tonight" that will be airing on NBC and Peacock.
Honestly, this one feels like a movie script. You've got Caleb Williams, the hometown hero in Chicago, trying to lead the Bears to their first NFC Championship appearance in a generation. They’re coming off an emotional, come-from-behind 31-27 win over their rivals, the Green Bay Packers. The energy in Chicago right now is basically radioactive.
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But they're facing a Rams team led by Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford that just won't go away. The Rams outlasted the Panthers 34-31 last week. They have Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, which is a nightmare for a Chicago secondary that has been hit-or-miss lately.
Why the Weather Matters
It’s January in Chicago. The forecast is calling for temperatures around 18°F with potential snow showers.
The Rams are a dome team. Or, well, they play in the beautiful California sunshine. Bringing that high-flying offense into the "Windy City" cold is the ultimate equalizer. We've seen Stafford play in the cold before from his Detroit days, so he won't be rattled, but the ball gets hard, the turf gets slippery, and suddenly those deep crossers to Nacua become a lot harder to execute.
Betting Odds and What the Experts Think
The bookies are favoring the visitors in the nightcap, which might surprise some Bears fans.
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- Texans at Patriots: New England is a 3-point favorite. The Over/Under is sitting at a low 40.5, suggesting a defensive battle.
- Rams at Bears: The Rams are actually 3.5-point road favorites. This is likely due to their playoff experience and Stafford's veteran poise. The Over/Under is 48.5, which is high for a cold-weather game.
Chicago has been great at home, going 4-1 in their last five at Soldier Field. However, the Rams are 12-5 against the spread this season. They cover. They find ways to stay in games. If you’re a betting person, the Rams' moneyline feels like a tempting play, but never bet against a fired-up Chicago crowd in a blizzard.
How to Watch and Stream
Don't be the person scrambling for a login ten minutes after kickoff.
- Texans vs. Patriots (3:00 PM ET): Watch on ABC, ESPN, or stream via ESPN+ and Fubo.
- Rams vs. Bears (6:30 PM ET): Watch on NBC or stream on Peacock. If you’re looking for Spanish language coverage, Telemundo and Universo have the broadcast.
The winners today move on to face the heavyweights. The Denver Broncos are already waiting in the AFC after their overtime thriller yesterday. In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks are looming after they absolutely dismantled the 49ers 41-6 on Saturday night.
Essential Gameday Insights
To get the most out of tonight's games, keep an eye on the injury reports. The Bears are missing some key defensive pieces like T.J. Edwards, which could open up the middle of the field for the Rams' tight ends. On the flip side, the Patriots' offensive line is banged up, and the Texans' pass rush—led by Danielle Hunter—is top-tier.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the final inactive list 90 minutes before the 3:00 p.m. kickoff to see if the Texans' Nico Collins is officially active.
- Clear some space on your DVR or ensure your Peacock subscription is active for the 6:30 p.m. primetime slot.
- Prepare for a cold-weather game in Chicago; if you're playing DFS, lean into the running backs like the Bears' ground game, as passing might get dicey if the snow picks up.