If you’re waking up on this Wednesday morning, January 14, 2026, and wondering if you need to clear your schedule for some Foxborough football, I’ve got the quick answer for you. No. The Patriots do not play today.
It’s a bit of a mid-week lull for the team, but don’t let the quiet fool you. Things are actually pretty electric around Gillette Stadium right now. After that absolute clinic they put on against the Chargers last Sunday—winning 16-3 in a game where the defense looked like the 1985 Bears—the city is buzzing. Mike Vrabel has this roster playing with a kind of edge we haven’t seen in years.
So, if you're asking do the patriots play today and what time, you’ll have to wait just a few more days to see Drake Maye and the boys take the field again.
When Is the Next Patriots Game?
The New England Patriots are officially set to host the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round. This isn't just another game; it's a chance to punch a ticket to the AFC Championship.
The game is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026. Kickoff is locked in for 3:00 PM ET.
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Honestly, the Sunday afternoon slot is perfect. It gives the tailgaters enough time to get the grills going in the P10 lot without having to wake up at 4:00 AM, and it avoids the brutal deep-freeze temperatures that usually settle in for those January night games.
Watching the Game: TV and Streaming
If you aren't one of the lucky ones heading down Route 1 to sit in the stands, you’ve got plenty of options. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and ABC. If you've cut the cord, you can stream it live on ESPN+. For the local crowd, 98.5 The Sports Hub will have the radio call if you're stuck in the car.
Why This Matchup Matters So Much
The Texans aren't coming to town just to be a footnote in the Patriots' comeback story. They just took down the Steelers in the Wild Card round, and they have some serious momentum.
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Remember October 2024? The Texans actually came into Foxborough and handed the Patriots a 41-21 loss. It was C.J. Stroud’s first win at Gillette, and it felt like a changing of the guard at the time. But this is a different New England team. The 2025 regular season was a 14-3 masterclass, tying the NFL record for the biggest single-season turnaround in history.
Mike Vrabel has already been in the headlines this week—mostly because defensive tackle Milton Williams accidentally bloodied his lip during a celebratory head-butt after the Chargers win. Vrabel took it like a champ, basically saying that if you're going to play in January, you have to be ready to bleed. That’s the kind of vibe this team is carrying into Sunday.
What to Watch For on Sunday
Drake Maye is the obvious focal point. He’s been named a 2nd-team All-Pro as a rookie, which is frankly insane when you think about where this offense was a year ago. He isn't just managing games; he’s making throws that make your jaw drop.
But the real story might be the defense. Last week, they:
- Logged 6 sacks.
- Allowed zero touchdowns.
- Held the Chargers to under 100 rushing yards and under 150 passing yards.
That kind of dominance is rare. If they can replicate that against Stroud, the Texans are going to have a long afternoon.
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Keep an eye on the injury report this week, too. Cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Christian Gonzalez both had some scares against the Chargers. Gonzalez, in particular, left with a head injury. If he can't go, the secondary might look a little thinner against Houston’s speed.
Looking Ahead
If the Patriots take care of business on Sunday, the road to the Super Bowl stays right here in Massachusetts. Since they secured the No. 2 seed, and because the No. 1 seed Denver Broncos play on Saturday, we’ll know by the time the Patriots kick off exactly what the AFC Championship path looks like.
If Denver wins their game against Buffalo, the Patriots would have to travel to Mile High for the title game. If Buffalo pulls the upset, the AFC Championship comes to Gillette on January 25.
Basically, Sunday at 3:00 PM is the only thing that matters right now. Set your alarms, get the wings ready, and maybe buy a backup jersey just in case. The energy in New England is finally back to what it used to be.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the weather forecast for Foxborough on Sunday morning; as of now, it's looking like typical January chill, so layers are mandatory if you're going.
- Confirm your streaming login for ESPN+ or Paramount+ today so you aren't scrambling at kickoff.
- Watch the Wednesday afternoon pressers—Drake Maye is scheduled to speak at 4:00 PM today, which should give a good indication of the team's headspace heading into the weekend.