If you’re staring at your TV remote wondering who plays in the NFL today, you’ve basically hit the jackpot of the postseason. We are deep into the Divisional Round. This is arguably the best weekend of the entire year for football fans because the pretenders have been weeded out, but we haven't quite reached that "one-game-takes-all" desperation of the conference championships. It's pure, high-stakes football.
Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, we have two massive matchups that will decide who moves on to face the top seeds next week. We’re talking about CJ Stroud taking his Texans into the frozen confines of Foxborough, and Caleb Williams trying to prove he’s the real deal at Soldier Field against a Rams team that just won’t go away.
The Early Window: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
First up at 3:00 PM ET, we’ve got the (5) Houston Texans visiting the (2) New England Patriots. This one is airing on ESPN and ABC.
Honestly, nobody expected the Patriots to be back in this position so quickly after the post-Brady era doldrums, but Drake Maye has been a revelation. They finished the regular season at 14-3, which is kind of wild when you think about where this roster was two years ago. They already took care of the Chargers last week in a 16-3 defensive masterclass.
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The Texans, meanwhile, are the team nobody wants to play. They just demolished the Steelers to get here. CJ Stroud is playing like a ten-year vet, though they’re going to be a bit shorthanded today.
Key Personnel and Injuries
- Texans WR Nico Collins: He’s out. Concussion. That’s a huge blow for Stroud’s deep ball game.
- Patriots DT Khyiris Tonga: He’s officially active after missing time, which is bad news for the Houston run game.
- The "McDaniels" Factor: Ben and Josh McDaniels are on opposite sidelines here. Family dinners are going to be awkward regardless of who wins.
The winner of this game gets a trip to Denver next Sunday. Since the Broncos beat Buffalo yesterday in that absolute thriller (RIP Bo Nix’s season, unfortunately), the path to the Super Bowl officially goes through the Mile High city.
The Nightcap: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
Then, at 6:30 PM ET, the action shifts to the Windy City. The (5) Los Angeles Rams are taking on the (2) Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. You can catch this one on NBC or stream it on Peacock.
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It’s going to be cold. Like, 18 degrees with snow showers cold.
The Bears are 11-6 and coming off a win against their rivals, the Packers. Caleb Williams has been the savior Chicago fans have waited decades for, but he’s facing a Rams team led by Matthew Stafford that just keeps defying the odds. The Rams went 12-5 this year and finished second in an absolutely brutal NFC West.
What to Watch at Soldier Field
- DJ Moore's Health: There was a lot of stress early in the week about his knee, but he practiced in full on Friday. He’s a go.
- Rams Pass Rush: Even without the legends of the past, McVay’s defense has been lived in the backfield all season.
- The Weather: Chicago in January isn't for the faint of heart. Expect a lot of ground-and-pound if the snow starts sticking.
The Rams are actually 3.5-point favorites on the road, which tells you exactly what Vegas thinks of Stafford’s experience versus Williams’ youth. The winner of this game heads to Seattle next week to face the Seahawks for the NFC title.
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Why Today Matters More Than Usual
Usually, you can point to a clear favorite in the Divisional Round. This year? Not so much. Every single team playing today has a legitimate path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
If New England wins, they solidify the Drake Maye era as a total success. If Houston wins, they become the "Team of the Future" right now. Over in the NFC, a Bears win would be the biggest moment in Chicago sports in years. If the Rams win, Stafford might just be looking at another ring before he hangs them up.
How to Watch and Follow Along
If you're trying to plan your Sunday around these games, here's the quick breakdown:
- Texans at Patriots: 3:00 PM ET | ESPN, ABC, ESPN+
- Rams at Bears: 6:30 PM ET | NBC, Peacock, Telemundo
Make sure your streaming apps are updated. Peacock has a habit of signing people out right at kickoff, which is the last thing you want when Caleb Williams is lining up for his first snap.
Actionable Steps for Today's Games
- Check the Inactives: Final lists for the Rams and Bears usually drop about 90 minutes before kickoff (around 5:00 PM ET). Keep an eye on those Bears offensive linemen; they've been banged up.
- Monitor the Weather: If the snow in Chicago turns from "showers" to "accumulation," the Over/Under (currently 48.5) might be a risky bet.
- Set Your DVR: If the early game goes into overtime—which, given how the Texans play, is a distinct possibility—the start of the Rams/Bears game might be pushed or moved to a secondary channel like USA Network briefly.
Enjoy the games. This is the peak of the NFL calendar, and by the time the sun goes down tonight, we’ll know exactly which four teams are left standing in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy.