If you’re waking up on this Saturday, January 17, 2026, and frantically checking your phone to see what time do Texans play today, I’ve got some news that might make you put the remote down for a second.
The Houston Texans actually don't play today.
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While today features a massive NFL Divisional Round double-header—with the Bills taking on the Broncos and the 49ers visiting the Seahawks—C.J. Stroud and company aren't hitting the field until tomorrow. It’s a bit of a tease, honestly. You see the playoff graphics everywhere, the "Divisional Saturday" hype is real, but the Texans have been slotted into the Sunday afternoon window.
The Official Kickoff: When and Where to Watch
Mark your calendars (or just set a phone alert) for Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM CST.
The Texans are traveling up to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. If you’re on the East Coast, that’s a 3:00 PM ET start. The game is being broadcast nationally on ABC and ESPN.
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- Date: Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 2:00 PM CST (3:00 PM ET)
- Channel: ABC / ESPN / ESPN+
- Radio: SportsRadio 610 (KILT-AM) in the Houston area
It’s kind of wild to think about where this team was just a few months ago. After a brutal 0-3 start to the 2025-2026 season, most of the "experts" had written them off. Now? They’re one win away from the first AFC Championship appearance in franchise history.
Why the Sunday Slot Matters for Houston
There’s a bit of a tactical advantage here, even if it feels like a long wait. By playing Sunday, the Texans get an extra day of recovery after that physical beatdown they handed the Steelers on Monday Night Football.
That Wild Card game was intense. The Texans' defense made history, becoming the first team since the 1940 Bears to score multiple defensive touchdowns while giving up zero offensive touchdowns in a playoff game. But that kind of intensity takes a toll.
The Nico Collins Situation
The biggest bummer of the week is definitely the news about Nico Collins. He’s officially been ruled out for the game against the Patriots. He took a nasty hit in the Pittsburgh game and hasn't cleared the concussion protocol. It’s a huge blow to the offense, especially considering how he and Stroud have been on a completely different wavelength lately.
Without Collins, expect to see a lot more of Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz. The Patriots' defense, led by their resurgence this year, is going to dare Stroud to find his secondary targets. Honestly, it’s going to be a chess match between DeMeco Ryans and the New England staff.
Breaking Down the Matchup: Texans vs. Patriots
The Patriots aren't the same team from the early 2020s. Drake Maye has turned into a legitimate threat in his second year, and their defense is playing lights-out.
But Houston has the "Fearsome Foursome." Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter have been absolutely terrorizing quarterbacks. If they can get into Maye’s face early, the Texans have a real shot at silencing the Gillette Stadium crowd.
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Key Storylines to Watch
- The Snow Factor: The forecast for Foxborough is calling for potential snow. Stroud grew up in California and played at Ohio State, so he’s seen the white stuff, but playoff football in a blizzard is a different beast entirely.
- Historic Milestones: If Houston wins, they break the "Divisional Round Curse" that has haunted the franchise for two decades.
- The Underdog Narrative: Despite the dominant Wild Card win, the Texans are still seen by many as the "lucky" team that got hot. They’ve been playing with a chip on their shoulder all year.
How to Prepare for Game Day
Since you have today off from Texans football, use it to get your setup ready. Check your ESPN+ login or make sure your antenna is positioned right for the ABC signal.
If you're in Houston, there’s a massive watch party planned at NRG Stadium tomorrow. Doors open at noon, and it’s basically the closest you can get to the atmosphere without flying to Massachusetts.
Actionable Next Steps
- Verify your streaming access: If you plan on watching via ESPN+, log in today to ensure your subscription is active so you don't miss kickoff tomorrow.
- Sync your fantasy or betting apps: Lines are shifting because of the Nico Collins news; the Patriots are currently slight favorites at home.
- Prep the gear: If you're heading to a watch party, the weather in Houston is looking clear, but Foxborough is going to be freezing—plan your "game day at home" snacks today so you're locked in by 2:00 PM tomorrow.
The road to the Super Bowl is narrow, and for the Texans, it goes directly through the cold of New England.