The Divisional Round is the best weekend in football. Period. Forget the Super Bowl's over-the-top halftime shows or the Wild Card’s occasional blowout. This is when the real heavyweights finally collide. If you're asking who plays this Sunday, you’re looking at the two games that will basically decide who has the momentum to actually hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara next month.
We’ve got a massive double-header on Sunday, January 18, 2026. The morning slate (well, afternoon for the East Coasters) starts with a grudge match in Foxborough, followed by a smash-mouth NFC battle in the Windy City.
The AFC Grind: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
First up, the Houston Texans head north to face the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. This game is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET. Honestly, nobody expected the Texans to be this dominant. They just dismantled the Steelers on Monday night, and now they have to fly into the teeth of a New England winter.
Drake Maye vs. C.J. Stroud.
Think about that for a second. We are watching the next decade of the AFC play out in real-time. Maye just got his first playoff win against the Chargers, and he looked poised. Like, strangely poised for a kid. But Stroud is a different beast. The Texans' offense under DeMeco Ryans is playing with a chip on its shoulder that’s hard to ignore.
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New England’s defense is the story here, though. They held the Chargers to just 3 points. Three! If they can take away Nico Collins and force Stroud to check down all day, the Patriots might actually find themselves back in a Conference Championship. It feels like 2014 all over again in Massachusetts, just with different names on the jerseys.
The NFC Showdown: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
Once the sun starts setting, the action moves to the midwest. The Los Angeles Rams travel to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET.
This is the one people are going to be talking about at the water cooler. You’ve got the Rams, who just squeezed past Carolina in a 34-31 thriller, going up against a Bears team that looks legitimately terrifying. Caleb Williams is playing like the guy everyone promised he’d be. He’s Houdini in the pocket.
But let’s be real. It’s January in Chicago.
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The turf at Soldier Field is notorious for being "kinda" terrible once the frost hits. Matthew Stafford has played in plenty of cold games from his Detroit days, so the weather won't shock him, but his receivers might feel it. Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are going to need some serious sticky tack on those gloves. Chicago’s defense hasn't been this loud since the Urlacher era. They bullied the Packers last week, and they’re looking to do the same to Sean McVay’s high-flying scheme.
Why Sunday Is Different From Saturday
Saturday has some great games—Buffalo at Denver and the Niners at Seattle—but Sunday feels heavier. It's the "survivor" bracket.
- AFC Matchup: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: Gillette Stadium
- NFC Matchup: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Venue: Soldier Field
The Rams are basically playing with house money at this point. Most experts had them finishing third in the NFC West. Instead, Stafford is back in the divisional round looking like he’s 25 again. On the other side, the Patriots are trying to prove the dynasty wasn't just about one guy. It’s a lot of narrative to pack into eight hours of television.
How to Watch and What to Look For
You’ll want to keep your remote handy because the networks are still finalized, but usually, CBS takes the AFC lead and FOX handles the NFC.
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Watch the injury reports this week. The 49ers already lost George Kittle to a torn Achilles on Sunday, which shakes up the whole NFC side of the bracket. While the Rams and Bears are relatively healthy, a single rolled ankle in Wednesday's practice changes the betting lines instantly.
Keep an eye on the wind speeds in Chicago. If it’s gusting over 20 mph, the Rams’ passing game becomes a lot more horizontal, which plays right into the hands of the Bears' secondary.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re planning to host a watch party, get your grocery run done by Friday. Divisional Sunday is notorious for "sold out" wings and dips at local spots. If you're betting, look at the "under" for the Chicago game. The cold usually slows down the pace, and both of these defenses are playing lights-out football right now.
Set your DVRs for 3:00 PM ET. The road to Super Bowl LX runs through Foxborough and Chicago this Sunday, and by Sunday night, we’ll know exactly who is one step away from the big game.