Honestly, if you're waking up today thinking you can just flip on any channel and find the NFL playoffs, you’re probably going to miss the first quarter of a massive game. The nfl playoff tv schedule today is split across two completely different networks and two very different time zones. We're in the thick of the Divisional Round. It's Sunday, January 18, 2026, and the stakes are basically "win or go home to your couch."
Yesterday was a mess of drama with the Broncos barely scraping by the Bills in overtime. Now, the rest of the league is looking at who fills those remaining seats for the Championship games next week. Today’s double-header features a young AFC powerhouse trying to dethrone a legendary franchise and a heavyweight NFC fight in the freezing Chicago air.
If you're looking for the quick "where and when," here is how the afternoon and evening shake out.
The NFL Playoff TV Schedule Today: Times, Channels, and Matchups
The league didn't make it too complicated this year, but the network swap is what usually trips people up. You’ve got one game on the "Disney" family of networks and the nightcap on NBC.
Game 1: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
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- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN / ABC
- Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo, YouTube TV
- Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Game 2: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: NBC / Peacock
- Streaming: Peacock, NBC Sports App, Fubo
- Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Why the Texans vs. Patriots Game is Must-Watch TV
Most people assume the Patriots are just going to steamroll everyone at home in January. It's what they do. But this isn't 2014. Drake Maye has been playing out of his mind, sure, but C.J. Stroud and the Texans are coming off a literal demolition of the Steelers last week (30-6).
The weather in Foxborough is looking chilly—around 34 degrees at kickoff. It's not a "Snow Bowl," but it’s cold enough to make the ball feel like a brick. The nfl playoff tv schedule today starts with this AFC showdown because the winner gets the "prize" of traveling to Denver next week to face a rested Broncos squad.
What’s interesting is the betting line. New England is only a 3-point favorite. That tells you Vegas thinks Houston’s defense, led by Danielle Hunter (who had 15 sacks this season), is going to give Maye a very long afternoon. If you’re watching on ABC or ESPN, keep an eye on Nico Collins. He’s been Stroud’s security blanket, and if the Patriots can't bracket him, this could be the upset of the weekend.
Soldier Field: The Rams and Bears Primetime Battle
When the sun goes down in Chicago today, it’s going to get brutal. We’re looking at a "feels like" temperature of about 1 degree.
The Los Angeles Rams are coming into this as the 5-seed, but they’re actually favored by 4 points over the 2-seed Bears. Why? Because Matthew Stafford is a veteran who doesn't care about the cold, and Caleb Williams is still a young QB facing the most intense pressure of his life.
The nfl playoff tv schedule today wraps up on NBC with this game because it’s basically a movie script. You’ve got Puka Nacua and Davante Adams (yeah, he’s a Ram now and he’s still elite) against a Bears secondary that has been ball-hawking all year. Chicago survived a scare against Green Bay last week, winning 31-27, but their defense looked tired by the fourth quarter.
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If you are streaming this on Peacock, be ready for the "Peacock Exclusive" feel, though it is airing on local NBC stations too. It’s the last game of the weekend, so expect the production value to be through the roof.
Common Misconceptions About Today's Broadcasts
A lot of fans still think every playoff game is on CBS or Fox. That’s the Saturday tradition. Sunday is a different beast.
- The ESPN/ABC Simulcast: You don't need cable if you have an antenna and get ABC. It’s the same feed as ESPN.
- Streaming Latency: If you’re watching on a "live" stream like Fubo or Hulu, you are likely 30-45 seconds behind the real-time broadcast. Turn off your NFL app notifications or your phone will spoil the touchdowns before you see them.
- Blackouts: There are no local blackouts for NFL playoff games. If you have the channel, you have the game.
What’s Next After Today’s Games?
Once the clock hits zero in Chicago, the bracket for the Conference Championships will be set in stone. Here is what the path looks like:
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- AFC Championship: The winner of Texans/Patriots will head to Denver to face the Broncos on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. ET (CBS).
- NFC Championship: The winner of Rams/Bears will face the Seattle Seahawks (who beat the 49ers yesterday) on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. ET (FOX).
Everything is building toward Super Bowl LX on February 8th at Levi's Stadium.
Actionable Steps for the Games:
Check your signal now. If you're using a digital antenna for the ABC or NBC games, scan for channels at least an hour before kickoff to ensure your local affiliate is coming in clear. If you're relying on Peacock for the night game, make sure your subscription is active—nothing is worse than a "billing error" screen during the opening kickoff. Lastly, if you're a bettor, watch the injury report on Rome Odunze for the Bears; he's questionable with a foot injury, and his absence would drastically change how the Rams play their coverage.