Sunday football isn't just a routine anymore; it's basically a national holiday at this point in the season. We’ve reached the NFL Wild Card Weekend, and the schedule for Sunday, January 18, 2026, is absolutely loaded with narratives that feel more like a movie script than a sports broadcast. If you’re trying to figure out who's playing football Sunday, you aren't just looking for a list of names. You’re looking for the reason why your couch is going to be occupied from 1:00 PM ET until well past midnight.
It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s exactly what we wait all year for.
The Early Window: Old Rivals and New Blood
The action kicks off with a massive showdown in the NFC. We’ve got the Philadelphia Eagles traveling to face the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM ET on FOX.
Think about that for a second. The Lions, once the league’s punching bag, are now hosting playoff games as a legitimate powerhouse. Dan Campbell has that city on fire. On the other side, you have an Eagles team that has been through a literal meat grinder of a season. Jalen Hurts is dealing with that lingering hand issue, and honestly, the Philly media hasn't been kind lately. This game is going to be won in the trenches. If Detroit’s offensive line can protect Jared Goff against that ferocious Philly pass rush, the Lions might actually pull this off. But if the Eagles find their rhythm early? It’s going to be a long afternoon for the Ford Field faithful.
Why the Lions are Favored
Most analysts, including the crew over at NFL Network, are leaning toward Detroit because of their consistency. They don't beat themselves. Philly, meanwhile, has been a bit of a turnover machine in the red zone over the last month.
The Afternoon Slate: AFC Power Struggles
Once that early game wraps up, don't even think about moving. At 4:30 PM ET on CBS, the focus shifts to the AFC. We have the Baltimore Ravens hosting the New York Jets.
This is the matchup everyone wanted to see. Lamar Jackson versus a Jets defense that has been statistically historic this season. Sauce Gardner against the Ravens' receiving corps is the kind of chess match that defensive coordinators dream about. The Jets managed to sneak into the playoffs after a late-season surge, and while nobody really expected them to be here three months ago, here they are.
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It’s weird to say the Jets are a "scary" playoff team, but look at the tape.
They play physical. They frustrate quarterbacks. However, playing in Baltimore in January is a different beast entirely. The humidity, the noise, and Lamar’s ability to turn a broken play into a 40-yard touchdown make this the hardest game of the weekend to predict. Honestly, it might come down to a field goal in the closing seconds. Justin Tucker is still the GOAT for a reason, right?
The Primetime Spectacle: Sunday Night Lights
The "Main Event" of the day happens at 8:15 PM ET on NBC. We’re heading to the desert. The Kansas City Chiefs are taking on the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Patrick Mahomes. Enough said.
But wait. The Cardinals have been the surprise story of 2025-2026. Kyler Murray has finally looked like the elite dual-threat weapon the scouts promised he would be. This isn't the same Arizona team that used to crumble under pressure. They’ve built a roster around speed, and they’re going to try to outrun the Chiefs.
Kansas City is... well, they're the Chiefs. They’ve been here a dozen times. Travis Kelce is still finding those soft spots in the zone, and Andy Reid is still drawing up plays on napkins that somehow result in wide-open touchdowns. It’s a clash of a dynasty trying to hold onto the throne and a young, hungry team trying to kick the door down.
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Key Matchup to Watch
- Chris Jones vs. The Cardinals Interior: If Jones gets into the backfield and flushes Kyler Murray out of the pocket early, Arizona’s rhythm will break.
- Steve Spagnuolo’s Blitz Packages: Expect the Chiefs' defensive coordinator to throw some exotic looks at the young Arizona offensive line.
Beyond the NFL: Is There More?
While the NFL dominates the conversation when people ask who's playing football Sunday, we can't forget about the global game. Over in the English Premier League, Sunday is a massive day for the title race.
Arsenal faces Liverpool at 11:30 AM ET. If you’re an early riser, this is the perfect appetizer for the NFL slate. Both teams are neck-and-neck at the top of the table. A win here for Liverpool could essentially signal the end of the race, while an Arsenal victory keeps the dream alive for the Gunners. It’s high-stakes, high-octane football before the pads and helmets even come out.
How to Watch and Stream
Look, nobody has cable anymore. We get it. If you’re trying to catch these games, you’ve got options, but you need to be smart about it so you aren't dealing with a spinning loading circle during a game-winning drive.
- YouTube TV / FuboTV: These are your best bets for getting all the local channels (CBS, FOX, NBC) in one place.
- Peacock: You’ll need this specifically for the Sunday Night Football game between the Chiefs and Cardinals.
- Paramount+: This is where the Ravens vs. Jets game will be streaming if you don't have a traditional CBS log-in.
- NFL+: Great for mobile, but remember, you can’t usually cast these to your big TV due to licensing restrictions.
The Logistics of a Playoff Sunday
If you're hosting, you're already behind. Sunday football at this level requires prep. Most people underestimate the sheer volume of wings required for a triple-header.
According to data from the National Chicken Council, wing consumption spikes by nearly 25% during Wild Card weekend compared to a regular-season Sunday. People are stressed. They eat when they're stressed.
Weather Impacts
The forecast for Baltimore is looking "football-y." Expect temperatures in the low 30s with a chance of light sleet. That favors the Ravens' run game. In Detroit, it’s a dome, so expect a fast track. Arizona is also a dome, but they usually keep the roof open if the desert air is cool enough. Always check the pre-game reports an hour before kickoff to see if the wind is going to mess with the kickers.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Wild Card Sunday
There's this myth that the higher seed always wins.
Statistically, that’s just not true anymore. Since the NFL expanded the playoffs to seven teams per conference, we’ve seen more "road warriors" winning in the first round than ever before. The gap between the 2-seed and the 7-seed has narrowed because of how the salary cap forces teams to build. One or two injuries to a star player on a top-seeded team can completely level the playing field.
Don't bet the house on the favorites. Sunday is built for upsets.
Planning Your Sunday Viewership
To make the most of the day, you need a schedule. Here is the literal breakdown of the clock so you don't miss a snap.
- 11:30 AM ET: Arsenal vs. Liverpool (The Morning Warmup)
- 1:00 PM ET: Eagles at Lions (The NFC Battle)
- 4:00 PM ET: Start the grill or order the food. The transition between the 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM games is the "Danger Zone" where you might lose your momentum.
- 4:30 PM ET: Jets at Ravens (The Defensive Slugfest)
- 7:30 PM ET: Pre-game coverage for the Night Cap.
- 8:15 PM ET: Chiefs at Cardinals (The Primetime Finale)
It’s a marathon. Pace yourself.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Fan
To ensure you actually enjoy the games instead of stressing over technical difficulties or missing the start times, do these three things right now:
- Audit Your Apps: Log into Peacock and Paramount+ today. Don't wait until 4:25 PM to realize you forgot your password or your subscription expired. Update the apps on your Smart TV or Roku to avoid mid-game crashes.
- Sync Your Fantasy/Betting Boards: If you're playing Playoff Challenge or Daily Fantasy, locks happen at 1:00 PM ET. Get those lineups set by Saturday night.
- Check the Injury Report: Monitor the status of Jalen Hurts (hand) and the Ravens' offensive line. These two factors will likely dictate the outcome of the first two games. Use sites like Rotoworld or the official NFL game centers for the most accurate, last-minute scratches.
The reality is that who's playing football Sunday is only half the story. The other half is how those teams handle the pressure of a "win or go home" scenario. Whether you're rooting for a Detroit Cinderella story or pulling for Mahomes to add another ring to his collection, Sunday is going to be electric. Tune in early, stay late, and keep the snacks within arm's reach.