If you woke up today wondering who plays on Sunday NFL games, you're looking at the tail end of a wild Divisional Round. We are down to the final six teams. After yesterday’s blowouts and overtime thrillers, today determines which two teams clinch the remaining tickets to the Conference Championships.
Honestly, the energy is different today. We have a mix of the "old guard" franchises trying to reclaim glory and young phenoms looking to cement their status as the new faces of the league. It is cold, it is January, and the stakes are basically as high as they get before the Super Bowl.
The Early Window: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
First up, at 3:00 p.m. ET, the Houston Texans are traveling into the frozen environment of Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots. This one is fascinating because of the quarterback duel.
You’ve got C.J. Stroud leading a Texans team that feels like it’s playing with house money. They absolutely dismantled the Steelers 30-6 last Monday. People keep waiting for the Texans to look like "the old Texans," but this version is disciplined and aggressive.
On the other side? Drake Maye. The kid has been a revelation for New England. He just led them to their first playoff win since 2018 last weekend against the Chargers. It wasn't a flashy 40-point shootout—it was a 16-3 grind. That’s New England football for you.
- Kickoff Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
- Where to Watch: ESPN, ABC, and streaming on NFL+ or Fubo.
The winner of this clash moves on to face the Denver Broncos next Sunday. Denver is already waiting after their heart-stopping 33-30 overtime win against the Bills yesterday.
The Nightcap: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
The late game is where things get really gritty. At 6:30 p.m. ET, the Los Angeles Rams take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. If you aren't a fan of the cold, you might want to look away. The forecast in Chicago is calling for temperatures in the teens with a side of snow.
This is a classic "experience vs. youth" matchup. Matthew Stafford is a veteran who has been to the mountaintop. He’s the engine of a Rams offense that survived a 34-31 nail-biter against the Panthers.
Then you have Caleb Williams. The rookie (well, technically second-year star by the 2025-26 season standards) broke the Bears' single-season passing record and just orchestrated a massive 18-point comeback to beat the Packers. Chicago is buzzing. It’s their first time in the Divisional Round since 2010.
Basically, you have a high-flying Rams passing attack going into a literal freezer against a Bears defense that has been opportunistic all year.
- Kickoff Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
- Where to Watch: NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo for Spanish language coverage.
The winner gets a trip to Seattle. The Seahawks handled the 49ers with ease yesterday (41-6) and are currently the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Why Today Matters More Than Yesterday
Yesterday was about the No. 1 seeds holding serve. The Broncos and Seahawks did their jobs. But today? Today is about the No. 2 vs. No. 5 seeds.
It's about the "middle" of the bracket proving they belong. When you look at who plays on Sunday NFL schedules, you often see the most desperate football. The Texans and Rams are both "road warriors" right now. They’ve already won on the road once this postseason. Doing it twice in a row is what builds legends.
One thing to keep an eye on is the injury report for the Bears. DJ Moore has been nursing a lingering issue, though reports suggest he's going to give it a go. For the Patriots, the focus is on their defensive front. If they can’t rattle Stroud early, it could be a long afternoon in Foxborough.
Final Viewing Guide and Logistics
If you're planning your day around these games, here is the quick-hit list of what you need to know:
- Check your streaming logins early. If you’re watching the night game, you’ll likely need Peacock or a cable login for NBC.
- Monitor the Chicago weather. If the snow picks up, expect the Bears to lean heavily on the run, which might slow the game down significantly.
- The AFC game is on ABC/ESPN. This is great for those with just an antenna, as it’s a national broadcast.
The path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is narrowing. By the time the clock hits zero in Chicago tonight, we will have our Final Four.
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To stay ahead of the action, make sure your TV is tuned to ABC by 3:00 p.m. ET to catch the start of Texans-Patriots. Once that wraps up, switch over to NBC for the pre-game coverage of Rams-Bears starting at 6:00 p.m. ET. If you're betting, keep an eye on the late line movements; the cold in Chicago has already caused the Over/Under to fluctuate as the snow forecast becomes more certain.