If you’re staring at the nfl scores today live ticker and feeling like the world has tilted on its axis, you aren't alone. Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the NFL Divisional Round is delivering a masterclass in why "on paper" doesn't mean a thing when the temperature drops and the stakes hit the ceiling.
We’re right in the thick of it.
After a Saturday that saw the Denver Broncos claw out a 33-30 overtime thriller against Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills and the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantle the 49ers 41-6, the AFC and NFC landscapes look unrecognizable. Honestly, seeing San Francisco go down by 35 points in a playoff game feels like a glitch in the Matrix, but that’s January football.
The Current State of Sunday’s Divisional Battles
Right now, all eyes are on Foxborough and Chicago.
The Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots game kicked off at 3:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium. This is the match everyone’s been whispering about because of the quarterback narrative. On one side, you’ve got C.J. Stroud, who basically transformed the Texans into a juggernaut overnight. On the other, Drake Maye has been playing like a man possessed, leading New England to their first playoff win since the Brady era just last week against the Chargers.
Early reports from the stadium suggest a defensive slugfest. The Patriots entered as 3-point favorites, with a surprisingly low total of 40.5. If you're checking the live digits, keep an eye on the turnover battle—Houston’s defense has been opportunistic all year, but Foxborough in January is a nightmare for young quarterbacks.
Later tonight, at 6:30 PM ET, the Los Angeles Rams head into the frozen tundra of Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears.
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This one is fascinating. The Rams are slight favorites (-3.5), but the Bears are riding the momentum of a massive comeback win against Green Bay. Caleb Williams vs. Matthew Stafford? It’s the ultimate "old guard vs. new blood" scenario.
Saturday’s Recap: A Tale of Two Blowouts (and One Heartbreaker)
To understand where we are today, you have to look at what happened yesterday. The AFC bracket shifted significantly when the Denver Broncos outlasted the Buffalo Bills. Bo Nix didn't just play well; he played like a veteran, finishing 26 of 46 for 279 yards and three scores.
But the real story was the ending.
Buffalo's defense collapsed in overtime, handing Denver 48 yards on two pass interference penalties. Will Lutz eventually iced it with a 23-yarder. It was ugly. It was dramatic. It was exactly why we watch.
Meanwhile, in Seattle, the Seahawks didn't just beat the 49ers; they erased them. Kenneth Walker III was the centerpiece of a 41-6 rout, racking up 145 total yards and three touchdowns. Sam Darnold—yes, that Sam Darnold—managed the game perfectly, completing 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards.
NFL Scores Today Live: Real-Time Divisional Updates
If you're hunting for the latest numbers, here is the breakdown of the weekend's slate:
- FINAL (OT): Denver Broncos 33, Buffalo Bills 30
- FINAL: Seattle Seahawks 41, San Francisco 49ers 6
- IN PROGRESS: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET, ABC/ESPN)
- UPCOMING: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET, NBC/Peacock)
The winner of the Texans/Patriots game earns a trip to Denver next Sunday for the AFC Championship. On the NFC side, the winner of the Rams/Bears game will have the unenviable task of traveling to Seattle to face a Seahawks team that looks unbeatable at Lumen Field.
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The Betting Shifts and Live Odds
Oddsmakers are scrambling. After seeing the 49ers get blown out, the Seahawks have jumped to the top of the Super Bowl favorites list alongside Denver.
For the live Sunday games:
The Patriots' defense, led by Robert Spillane, is the key factor in the early window. New England has been suffocating in the red zone, which is why the "Under" has been such a popular play today.
In the nightcap, the Rams' offensive line is under the microscope. If they can’t protect Stafford against a Chicago pass rush that looked rejuvenated last week, we might see the Bears in their first Conference Championship since 2010.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Scores
There's a tendency to look at a score like 41-6 and assume the losing team was "frauds." That's usually not the case. The 49ers were battered by injuries all season, and playing in Seattle after a short week is a death sentence.
Similarly, don't let the Texans' underdog status fool you. C.J. Stroud has already proven he can win on the road in the postseason after that 30-6 thumping of the Steelers in Pittsburgh. The "experience gap" between Stroud and Maye is smaller than the media makes it out to be.
How to Follow the Rest of the Action
If you’re trying to catch every snap, the broadcast schedule is split:
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- Texans at Patriots: ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes.
- Rams at Bears: NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Monitor the Injury Reports: Keep a close eye on the Rams' Stafford (thumb) and the Texans' O-line health throughout the game. Playoff games are often decided by who is left standing in the fourth quarter.
- Watch the Weather in Chicago: Winds at Soldier Field are expected to gust, which heavily favors the Bears' ground game over Stafford’s deep ball.
- Check the Bracket: Remember, the NFL re-seeds. If the Texans pull the upset, they'll head to Denver. If the Patriots win, they'll host the winner of the night game if it's the Rams.
The path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is narrowing. By midnight tonight, we’ll know exactly who is one step away from the biggest stage in sports. Keep your eyes on the live updates—this season isn't done with the surprises yet.