The energy is different now. We've officially moved past the chaotic opening weekend of the postseason, leaving six teams in the rearview mirror and narrowing the field to the elite eight. If you're asking who plays this Sunday NFL football, you're looking at the high-stakes Divisional Round. This is arguably the best weekend on the sports calendar. The heavy hitters who earned a first-round bye are back on the field, refreshed and ready to defend their home turf against the battle-tested survivors of Wild Card weekend.
Honestly, the Sunday slate for January 18, 2026, is a dream for anyone who loves old-school rivalries and "new era" quarterback matchups. We have two massive games on the docket. First, the Houston Texans head to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots. Then, the nightcaps features a classic NFC battle as the Los Angeles Rams visit the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
The AFC Showdown: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
This one kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. It’s a fascinating matchup because of the trajectory these two franchises have taken. The New England Patriots, under the guidance of Jerod Mayo and led by young sensation Drake Maye, secured the No. 2 seed after a dominant 14-3 regular season. They’ve had a week to sit back, nurse their bruises, and watch the Texans dismantle the Steelers 30-6 on Monday Night.
Houston is coming in hot. DeMeco Ryans has that defense playing with a terrifying level of speed.
Basically, the Texans are the "dangerous" team no one wants to see right now. They don't care about the history at Gillette Stadium or the fact that they're the No. 5 seed. They just put up 30 points on a very good Pittsburgh defense. But the Patriots are rested. Drake Maye has shown a poise beyond his years, and playing in the January cold of Massachusetts is a different animal than the controlled environment of a dome.
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- Game Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
- Network: ABC, ESPN, ESPN+
The NFC Nightcap: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
If you want drama, look no further than the 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff on NBC and Peacock. The Chicago Bears are hosting a Divisional Round game. Just let that sink in for a second. Soldier Field is going to be absolutely vibrating. The Bears earned this spot as the No. 2 seed after a resurgent year, and they’re coming off a thrilling 31-27 Wild Card win over the Packers that felt like a changing of the guard in the NFC North.
But they’re facing a Los Angeles Rams team that is playing like it's 2021 again.
The Rams, the No. 5 seed, went into Charlotte and escaped with a 34-31 win over the Panthers last week. Sean McVay has this offense humming. Matthew Stafford is still dropping dimes, and Puka Nacua continues to defy logic with every catch he makes. The Rams' defense is younger than it used to be, but they fly to the ball.
Chicago’s defense vs. the Rams' passing attack? That’s the game right there.
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Soldier Field in mid-January usually means "Bear Weather." We’re talking about potential single-digit wind chills and a turf that gets harder than concrete as the sun goes down. It's the ultimate equalizer. While the Rams are used to the sunshine of SoFi, the Bears thrive in the grit.
- Game Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
- Network: NBC, Peacock, Universo
Why the Divisional Round Changes Everything
There’s a common misconception that the Wild Card round is the most exciting. It’s not. The Divisional Round is where the "pretenders" get exposed. Usually, the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds have a massive advantage because of the rest, but we've seen plenty of years where that rust is real.
Think about the Patriots. They haven't played a meaningful snap in nearly two weeks. If Houston jumps on them early with a couple of C.J. Stroud strikes, does New England panic? On the flip side, the Rams have had to travel across the country twice in ten days. Fatigue is a physical reality in this league, and at some point, the adrenaline wears off.
You've also got the coaching chess match. DeMeco Ryans vs. Jerod Mayo is a battle of two former star linebackers who now lead their respective sidelines. It’s physical. It’s smart. It’s exactly what playoff football should look like.
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How to Watch and Stream
You don't want to be the person scrambling for a login five minutes after kickoff.
The afternoon game is an ABC/ESPN simulcast, which means if you have a digital antenna, you can probably pick it up for free. If you’re a streamer, ESPN+ is your best bet.
For the evening game, NBC has the broadcast. That means Peacock is the place to be if you’ve cut the cord. If you're looking for the Spanish language broadcast, Telemundo and Universo will be handling the Rams-Bears game.
What's Next for the Winners?
The stakes couldn't be higher because the winners of these two games move on to Championship Sunday on January 25. If the Patriots win, they'll likely be looking at a collision course with the Denver Broncos (the No. 1 seed) for the AFC crown. If the Bears win, they stay home if the Seahawks lose, or they head to Seattle if the Seahawks take care of business on Saturday.
Actionable Insights for Sunday:
- Check the Weather Early: If you're betting or just setting your expectations, keep an eye on the Chicago wind. It can turn a high-flying Rams offense into a run-heavy slog in minutes.
- Sync Your Audio: If you prefer your local radio announcers, use an app like NFL+ to sync the local call with the TV broadcast. There’s nothing like hearing Jeff Joniak call a Bears playoff game.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on the Patriots' wide receiver room. They’ve been banged up, and Drake Maye needs his full arsenal to keep up with Houston’s scoring pace.
Enjoy the games. Football doesn't get much better than this.