The Divisional Round is where things get real. You’ve got the weather turning nasty in the Midwest, the pressure of a "win or go home" scenario, and fans frantically Googling what time nfl football tonight starts because they don't want to miss a single snap of the primetime matchup.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. We are officially down to the final six teams.
If you are looking for the nightcap, the Los Angeles Rams are taking on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. This is the big one. The NFL has scheduled the kickoff for exactly 6:30 PM ET. If you’re on the West Coast, you’re looking at a 3:30 PM start, which is basically the perfect excuse to skip those afternoon chores.
NFL Football Tonight: Matchups and Kickoff Times
The Sunday slate for the Divisional Round is split into two distinct windows. While the afternoon game features an AFC showdown, the "tonight" game is all about the NFC.
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
This one starts earlier in the day at 3:00 PM ET. It’s being broadcast on ESPN and ABC. It’s a massive test for C.J. Stroud as he heads into the freezing temperatures of Foxborough to face Drake Maye and a Patriots defense that looked stout in the Wild Card round.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
This is the official "tonight" game.
- Kickoff Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
- TV Channel: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock
Honestly, the weather is going to be a massive factor here. We’re talking about a dome-adjacent team from LA traveling to a Chicago stadium that’s notorious for swirling winds and "frozen tundra" vibes. Matthew Stafford has plenty of experience in the cold from his Detroit days, but Caleb Williams is the one with the home-field advantage tonight.
Why the Timing Matters for Your Betting and Fantasy
Most people just want to know when to order the wings. But if you're tracking live lines, that 6:30 PM start is crucial.
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Often, the "Football Night in America" pregame show starts at 6:00 PM ET. If you tune in then, you'll get the final injury reports and inactive lists. This is when we’ll find out for sure if any of the Rams' questionable offensive linemen are actually going to suit up.
How to Stream the Game Without Cable
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. Since the game is on NBC, the primary streaming home is Peacock.
You can also find it on:
- NFL+: This works specifically for mobile devices and tablets.
- YouTube TV / FuboTV / Hulu + Live TV: Any service that carries your local NBC affiliate.
- Paramount+: Note that this is only for the AFC games on CBS, so don't rely on it for the Rams-Bears game tonight.
What Most People Get Wrong About Playoff Start Times
There's a common misconception that every "Sunday Night Football" game starts at 8:20 PM ET. During the regular season, that’s almost always true. However, during the playoffs—especially the Divisional Round—the NFL likes to move the start times up.
By starting at 6:30 PM ET, the league ensures that even if there’s a lengthy overtime (like we saw yesterday with the Broncos and Bills), the game finishes at a reasonable hour for East Coast viewers. Nobody wants to be up until 1:00 AM on a Sunday night when they have work on Monday morning.
Key Storylines to Watch Tonight
Keep an eye on the Rams' pass rush. They managed to disrupt the Panthers' rhythm last week, but the Bears' offensive line has been surprisingly cohesive lately.
Caleb Williams has been playing with a chip on his shoulder. After the Bears took down the Packers in the Wild Card round, the energy in Chicago is at a fever pitch. Soldier Field is going to be loud. It's the kind of environment that can rattle even a veteran like Stafford if the Rams fall behind early.
Actionable Steps for Tonight’s Game
- Finalize Your Food Order: If you’re using a delivery app, get your order in by 5:15 PM ET. Delivery times always spike right before the 6:30 PM kickoff.
- Check the Inactives: Follow NFL insiders like Ian Rapoport or Adam Schefter on social media around 5:00 PM ET. This is when the official list of players who aren't dressing for the game is released.
- Update Your Apps: If you're streaming on Peacock, make sure the app is updated now. There’s nothing worse than a "Mandatory Update" screen when the ball is already in the air.
- Sync Your Audio: If you prefer the local radio call (available on SiriusXM channels 226 and 228), you might need to pause your TV for a few seconds to get the audio and video in sync.
The winner of tonight's game moves on to the NFC Championship to face the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday. Everything is on the line.