Right now, the NFL post-season is reaching a fever pitch. We’re deep into the Divisional Round, and frankly, the tension is high because the winners of today’s games secure their spots in the Conference Championships. If you are looking for nfl games are playing now, you’ve probably noticed the schedule is split between the AFC’s young guns and a classic NFC slugfest in the cold.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Yesterday, the top seeds took care of business. The Denver Broncos managed a wild overtime win against the Bills, and the Seattle Seahawks basically dismantled the 49ers. That leaves two tickets left to be punched.
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What NFL Games Are Playing Now?
As of this afternoon, the New England Patriots are hosting the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. This game kicked off at 3:00 PM ET. It’s a fascinating matchup because you have two of the most hyped young quarterbacks in the league going head-to-head. Drake Maye has been playing like an absolute MVP candidate for the Patriots, and C.J. Stroud has the Texans looking like a legitimate juggernaut after they embarrassed the Steelers last week.
The early score has the Patriots up 7-0, but if you know this Texans team, you know they don't go away quietly.
The Late Window: Rams at Bears
Later tonight, at 6:30 PM ET, the focus shifts to Soldier Field. The Chicago Bears are taking on the Los Angeles Rams. This is basically the "Caleb Williams coming out party" against the seasoned veteran Matthew Stafford.
The weather in Chicago is currently around 18°F with snow showers. Honestly, that’s "Bears weather" through and through. The Rams are actually favored by about 3.5 points, which is interesting considering they’re the road team in a frozen environment. Sean McVay’s offense has been the best passing unit in the league this year, but trying to sling it in a Windy City snowstorm is a different beast entirely.
Where to Watch Today's Games
If you're trying to find these on your dial or streaming apps, here is the breakdown for the rest of the day:
- Texans at Patriots: You can catch this on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+. It’s also being broadcast in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.
- Rams at Bears: This is the NBC primetime slot. It’ll be on NBC and streaming live on Peacock. Coverage usually starts around 6:00 PM ET with the Football Night in America crew.
If you aren't near a TV, the radio feeds are actually a great way to keep up. SiriusXM has the Rams-Bears game on channels 226 and 228.
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Why These Matchups Matter
Look, the stakes couldn't be higher. The winner of the Texans-Patriots game has to head to Denver next week to face a Broncos team that looks nearly unbeatable at home. On the NFC side, whoever survives the snow in Chicago has to travel to Seattle.
The Bears are in the Divisional Round for the first time since 2010. That’s a massive drought. Their win over the Packers last week was a 18-point comeback that basically set the city on fire. On the other side, the Rams are trying to prove that their high-flying offense can travel. They narrowly beat the Panthers 34-31 to get here, so they've shown they can win the close ones.
Key Injuries to Watch
You can't talk about NFL games playing now without mentioning the guys who aren't on the field. The Bears are decimated on defense. T.J. Edwards is out with a fractured fibula, and Tremaine Edmunds is also on IR. That puts a lot of pressure on their secondary to keep Stafford from picking them apart.
For the Texans, Nico Collins is out with a concussion. That's a huge blow for C.J. Stroud, who relies on Collins as his primary vertical threat. They’ll need Stefon Diggs to step up in a way he hasn't had to in a few weeks.
Practical Steps for Fans
If you're settling in for the Rams-Bears game, check your Peacock login now. There's nothing worse than missing the opening kickoff because of a password reset. Also, keep an eye on the weather reports for Chicago; if the snow gets heavier, expect the under (currently at 48.5) to be the safer bet.
The AFC Championship and NFC Championship games are already set for Sunday, January 25. Once tonight's games wrap up, we'll have the full schedule for the final four. Stay tuned to the live scores as the Patriots and Texans battle through the second half.