The New England Patriots are set to host the Houston Texans in a highly anticipated AFC Divisional Round playoff matchup on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
This game marks the next chapter in New England’s postseason journey following their dominant 16-3 wild-card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, while the Texans advanced with a convincing 30-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET (which corresponds to 2:00 p.m. CT and 1:00 p.m. MST in some time zones). The contest will be broadcast nationally on ABC and ESPN, making it widely accessible for viewers across the United States.
Joe Buck is expected to handle play-by-play duties, with Troy Aikman providing analysis from the booth, delivering expert insights into what promises to be a clash of contrasting styles.
For those preferring to stream the game, multiple options are available. Fubo stands out as a primary choice, offering a free trial for new subscribers and carrying both ABC and ESPN in most markets.
Other services that include these channels, such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream, also provide live coverage. Fans in areas with local ABC affiliates can tune in over-the-air with an antenna or access the game through TV Everywhere apps linked to their cable or satellite provider.
In the New England region, stations like WMUR-TV (Channel 9) and WCVB (Channel 5) will carry the broadcast, with cable providers including Xfinity, Spectrum, Fios, and DirecTV listing it on standard channels.
The venue, Gillette Stadium, remains one of the NFL’s premier playoff atmospheres, known for its passionate fanbase and challenging winter conditions. January weather in Foxborough can be unpredictable—expect cold temperatures, potential wind, and possibly light snow or rain, which could influence field conditions and play-calling.
Fans attending in person should check the stadium’s policies for parking, entry times, and prohibited items well in advance. Tickets remain available through official resale platforms like StubHub, though prices reflect the high demand for a divisional-round home game.
This matchup pits the No. 2 seed Patriots (14-3 in the regular season and AFC East champions) against the No. 5 seed Texans (12-5 overall, entering as the top wild-card team).
New England has shown renewed vigor under head coach Mike Vrabel, with quarterback Drake Maye leading an offense that ranked among the league’s best in total yards. The defense has been stout, particularly in their wild-card performance, limiting the Chargers to just three points.
Vrabel’s emphasis on accountability, preparation, and unity has transformed the team into a legitimate Super Bowl threat.
Houston, meanwhile, boasts one of the NFL’s most formidable defenses, allowing the fewest total yards and second-fewest points during the regular season. Led by coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud—who threw for over 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns—the Texans overcame a rocky start to secure their playoff berth.
Their unit features standout players like Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley Jr., and Jalen Pitre, capable of disrupting any offense. The Texans’ recent road playoff win demonstrates resilience, but facing a hostile environment at Gillette Stadium presents a significant test.
Historically, the teams have met twice in the postseason, both in Foxborough, with New England prevailing each time—in 2012 and 2016 during the Tom Brady era. This will be the first playoff encounter between the current iterations of both franchises, adding intrigue as young quarterbacks Maye and Stroud square off.
Stefon Diggs, now with the Patriots after a brief stint in Houston that ended with injury, will face his former team, potentially providing an emotional subplot.
Pre-game analysis highlights key matchups: New England’s offensive line versus Houston’s elite pass rush, the battle in the trenches on both sides, and how each team handles the elements.
The Patriots enter as favorites (around 3.5 points in early lines), with an over/under hovering near 39.5, suggesting a potentially low-scoring, defensive struggle. Betting interest is high, with some projections favoring the home team due to their recent form and home-field advantage.
For fans looking to set reminders, most streaming platforms and the NFL app allow easy scheduling of notifications for kickoff, halftime updates, and final scores. Mobile alerts from ESPN, ABC, or team-specific apps can keep supporters informed without missing a moment.
As the NFL playoffs intensify, this divisional-round game represents a pivotal step toward the conference championship and a potential Super Bowl run. The Patriots aim to prove their resurgence is no fluke, while the Texans seek to extend their momentum and make a deep postseason push.
With national television exposure and high stakes, the contest is expected to draw massive viewership and deliver the kind of drama that defines playoff football.
Whether watching from home, at a local gathering, or in the stands at Gillette Stadium, fans have plenty of ways to catch every snap. The buildup has already generated excitement, and the outcome could shape the AFC landscape for the remainder of the postseason.