The playoffs are where things get weird. Honestly, if you watched Wild Card Weekend, you know exactly what I mean—four games decided by four points or fewer? That's just stressful. But now we're staring down the Divisional Round, and if you’re trying to figure out who's playing nfl sunday football on January 18, 2026, the bracket has finally crystallized into two massive showdowns.
We have the young guns in Houston traveling to the frozen tundra (well, hopefully just chilly) of Foxborough. Then, we’ve got a primetime slugfest at Soldier Field that feels like a throwback to 1985, except with way more modern passing concepts.
It's the best weekend of the year. No cap.
The AFC Early Window: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
First up at 3:00 p.m. ET, we have the No. 5 seed Houston Texans taking on the No. 2 seed New England Patriots. This game is being broadcast on ESPN and ABC, and if you're a cord-cutter, you can find it on ESPN+.
Houston is coming off a absolute dismantling of the Steelers. Seriously, that 30–6 win on Monday night was a statement. Their defense is playing out of its mind right now. They sacked Aaron Rodgers four times in that game—which, let's be real, is a tough way for a legend to go out. But now they have to go into Gillette Stadium.
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New England isn't the same "dynasty" we grew up with, but they're still the No. 2 seed for a reason. They played a clinical game against the Chargers in the Wild Card round, winning 16–3. It wasn't flashy. It was just... New England. They choke you out slowly.
Why this matters:
- Houston just secured their first road playoff win in franchise history.
- The Texans defense is currently ranked as one of the best in the league.
- The Patriots are 2nd seed favorites but have struggled with explosive offenses lately.
It’s a classic "strength vs. strength" matchup. You have a Houston unit that is flying to the ball, facing a New England team that rarely makes the mistake that beats them. If the Texans can rattle the Pats early, we might see an upset. But Foxborough in January? That's a different beast entirely.
Primetime in the Windy City: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
This is the one everyone is talking about. At 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, the No. 5 Los Angeles Rams visit the No. 2 Chicago Bears.
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Can we just talk about the Bears for a second? This is their first home divisional-round game in 15 years. Soldier Field is going to be absolutely rocking. Caleb Williams is officially the "Truth" in Chicago. In his playoff debut against the Packers, he threw for more yards in the fourth quarter than he did in the first three combined. That 25-yard game-winning strike to DJ Moore with under two minutes left? Chills.
But they're facing a Rams team that just won a 34–31 shootout against the Panthers. Matthew Stafford is still out here slinging it like he’s 25. The Rams are currently 3.5-point favorites according to some early lines, which is kind of wild considering they're the road team.
Key Storylines for Rams vs. Bears
- The Caleb Williams Factor: Can the rookie-turned-star handle the pressure of a Divisional Round game against a Sean McVay defense?
- Stafford's Experience: Matthew Stafford has seen every coverage known to man. Chicago’s defense surged in the second half against Green Bay, but Stafford is a different level of processor.
- The Weather: It's Chicago in mid-January. If the wind starts whipping off the lake, those high-flying Rams passing lanes might shrink significantly.
How to Watch the Sunday Slate
If you're planning your Sunday around who's playing nfl sunday football, here is the quick breakdown of where to tune in. Don't be that person who realizes the game is on Peacock five minutes after kickoff.
- 3:00 p.m. ET: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (ABC/ESPN/ESPN+)
- 6:30 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (NBC/Peacock/Telemundo)
For the radio crowd, Westwood One has the national call for both. If you're a Rams fan in LA, you’re looking for ESPN LA 710 AM. Bears fans, you know the drill—the official app or local affiliates will have you covered.
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What Happened to the Other Teams?
In case you missed the Saturday action (or just need a refresher), the Sunday games are only half the story. On Saturday, January 17, the Buffalo Bills travel to Denver to play the top-seeded Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Later that night, the 49ers and Seahawks meet for the third time this season at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
The NFL really nailed the scheduling this year. You’ve got rivalries, you’ve got legendary venues, and you’ve got a serious chance for some "lower" seeds to make it to the Championship round.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to actually get the most out of this weekend, here's what you should do.
First, check the weather reports for Chicago about three hours before kickoff. If the wind speed is over 15 mph, the "Under" becomes a very tempting friend. Second, if you're a Texans believer, watch how they use their defensive front in the first two series. If they get to the quarterback early, New England doesn't have the "catch-up" speed to recover.
Lastly, make sure your streaming apps are updated. There is nothing worse than the "Update Required" screen popping up while Mike Tirico is doing the intro.
The road to Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium is getting narrow. By Sunday night, we'll only have four teams left standing. Enjoy the chaos.