Wait, did you see that Texans game on Monday night? Absolute demolition. Now that the wild-card dust has finally settled, the bracket is locked, and we know exactly who plays in the NFL on Sunday, January 18, 2026. We are officially into the Divisional Round, which—honestly—is often the best weekend of football in the entire year. The "pretenders" have been sent home packing, and we're left with eight teams that actually have a legitimate shot at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara next month.
If you’re looking for the short version: we’ve got a massive AFC clash in Foxborough followed by an NFC showdown at a likely freezing Soldier Field.
But it’s not just about the times and channels. There’s a lot of weird history and fresh momentum heading into these two games. The NFL decided to split the Divisional weekend again, with two games on Saturday (Bills at Broncos and 49ers at Seahawks) and the remaining two on Sunday. If you're planning your couch rotation for Sunday, here is the breakdown of what's actually happening.
Sunday Afternoon: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
First up at 3:00 p.m. ET, we have the Houston Texans traveling to face the New England Patriots. You can catch this one on ESPN and ABC.
This game is kinda fascinating because of the "youth vs. experience" narrative, even if the names have changed since the Brady era. The Patriots finished the regular season at 14-3, looking like a well-oiled machine under Drake Maye. They just dismantled the Chargers 16-3 in the wild-card round. Their defense is essentially a brick wall right now, allowing the fewest points in the league over the last month of the season.
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Then you have the Texans. They just bullied the Steelers 30-6 on Monday night. C.J. Stroud is playing like he’s 35 years old instead of a young star, and that defense—led by guys like Calen Bullock who had a massive pick-six last week—is opportunistic as hell.
Why This Game Matters
Most people assume New England just wins at home in January. That’s the "Patriot Way," right? But Houston is different this year. They aren't just happy to be there. They have a suffocating pass rush that could make life miserable for Maye if the Patriots' offensive line has an off day.
- Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
- Broadcast: ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
- The Vibe: High-stakes AFC chess match. Expect a lot of physical play at the line of scrimmage.
Sunday Night: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
The nightcap starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. This is the one everyone is talking about. The Los Angeles Rams are heading into the "Windy City" to take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Basically, it's a rematch of their Week 4 game where the Bears won 24-18. But let's be real: both of these teams are completely different versions of themselves now. The Rams (12-5) just survived a wild 34-31 shootout against the Carolina Panthers. Matthew Stafford is still Slinging it, and even with a sprained index finger, he's expected to be a full go.
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Chicago, meanwhile, is riding a massive wave of euphoria after beating the Green Bay Packers 31-27. Caleb Williams has finally found his rhythm with DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. The Bears’ injury report is a bit longer than the Rams’—they’ve got guys like Odunze and Moore listed as limited in practice this week—but it’s the playoffs. You'd have to drag those guys off the field with a tractor.
The Weather Factor
Soldier Field in mid-January is basically a refrigerator with a grass floor. The Rams are a dome team. Stafford has played in the cold before (hello, Detroit years), but this Bears defense thrives in the elements. If the wind starts whipping off Lake Michigan, those deep shots to Puka Nacua might get a lot harder to track.
- Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
- Broadcast: NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, Universo
- The Vibe: Old-school NFC intensity. This will be loud, cold, and probably decided in the final two minutes.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Matchups
A lot of folks look at the seeding and think the home teams (Patriots and Bears) are locks. They’re both No. 2 seeds for a reason. But the road teams this Sunday—the Texans and the Rams—are both No. 5 seeds who were actually favored or seen as "dangerous" in almost every betting circle during the wild-card round.
The Rams specifically are 4.5-point favorites in some spots, even though they’re the away team. That tells you a lot about how Vegas views Matthew Stafford versus a young Chicago secondary. Also, don't sleep on the Texans' Christian Kirk. He was the X-factor against Pittsburgh, and if New England focuses too much on stopping the run, he’s going to find those soft spots in the zone all day long.
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How to Plan Your Sunday Viewing
If you're trying to figure out who plays in the NFL on Sunday and how to actually watch it without your stream lagging, here is the move.
The afternoon game on ABC/ESPN is easy to find, but if you're a cord-cutter, make sure your ESPN+ login is actually working before 3:00 p.m. For the night game, Peacock is the exclusive streaming home if you don't have a digital antenna or cable for NBC.
Honestly, the best way to handle this is to get the snacks ready by 2:30. These Divisional games move fast. Unlike the regular season, there are no "meaningless" quarters. Every holding penalty or missed field goal on Sunday could literally end a season.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the Weather: Keep an eye on the Chicago forecast specifically. If the wind gusts go over 20 mph, adjust your expectations for the passing game (and maybe your fantasy or betting picks).
- Verify Your Apps: Ensure your Peacock and ESPN+ apps are updated. There is nothing worse than a forced update at kickoff.
- Watch the Injury Reports: Pay close attention to DJ Moore (Bears) and Matthew Stafford's finger (Rams) on Friday afternoon. Those final designations will tell the real story of who has the edge.
- Set Your DVR: If you're a Saturday worker or have plans, these games are worth recording. The Divisional Round historically produces the most "instant classics" in the NFL postseason.
We are just a few days away from finding out which two teams will advance to the Conference Championships on January 25. Whether it's the redemption of the Rams or the continuation of the Patriots' dynasty-reboot, Sunday is going to be a gauntlet.