when is the next nfl playoff game

The next NFL playoff game is today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, kicking off the Divisional Round. Multiple sources confirm games starting at 4:30 p.m. ET, with specific matchups like those involving the Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, and Chicago Bears.

Divisional Round Schedule

Games span today and tomorrow, building excitement after the Wild Card round wrapped on January 12. Here's the lineup based on the latest brackets:

Date| Matchup| Time (ET)| Location/Network
---|---|---|---
Sat, Jan 17| TBD (likely Texans-related)| 4:30 p.m.| TBD/ESPN or FOX 1
Sat, Jan 17| TBD (e.g., Rams or similar)| 8:15 p.m.| TBD 13
Sun, Jan 18| Texans at Patriots| 3:00 p.m.| Gillette Stadium/ESPN 3
Sun, Jan 18| Rams at Bears| 6:30 p.m.| Soldier Field/NBC 3

Key Context

Wild Card highlights included LA Rams edging Carolina 34-31, Chicago topping Green Bay 31-27, New England beating LA Chargers 16-3, and Houston dominating Pittsburgh 30-6. These results set up high-stakes Divisional clashes, with top seeds like Patriots and Bears hosting. Expect intense quarterback battles and potential upsets, as playoffs often deliver.

Next Stages

Conference Championships follow on January 25, leading to Super Bowl 60 on February 8. Tune in via FOX, NBC, ESPN, or Peacock for live action—perfect timing as 2026 playoffs heat up.

TL;DR: First Divisional game today at 4:30 p.m. ET; full weekend slate locked in post-Wild Card.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.