The New England Patriots will host the Houston Texans on January 18, 2026, in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. The winner of this match will advance to the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots, entering the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the AFC, secured their place by defeating the No. 7 Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 in a tough Wild Card round matchup.
Quarterback Drake Maye has been a standout player for the Patriots, earning recognition as a finalist for the MVP Award due to his impressive regular-season performance. In the Wild Card game, Maye threw for 268 yards and one touchdown, while also leading the team with 66 rushing yards on ten carries.
The Texans, seeded fifth in the AFC, advanced to this stage after a dominant 30-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although the game remained tight until the fourth quarter, the Texans turned the tide by scoring two defensive touchdowns, sealing their win.
Viewing Information for the Matchup
Fans can watch the Patriots vs. Texans game live on both ESPN and ABC. Coverage will feature Joe Buck on play-by-play commentary and Troy Aikman providing analysis. Sideline reports will be delivered by Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge. Viewers wishing to stream the game can do so via the ESPN app or through Fubo, which currently offers a free trial.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. For those preferring radio coverage, the match will be available on SiriusXM, with the Patriots broadcast on channel 225 and the Texans broadcast on channel 226.
Upcoming NFL Divisional Round Schedule
The NFL Divisional Round features several exciting matchups this weekend. On Saturday, January 17, the Denver Broncos will take on the Buffalo Bills at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+, followed by the Seattle Seahawks facing the San Francisco 49ers at 8 p.m. ET on Fox and Fubo. The Patriots vs. Texans match will be one of two games on Sunday, January 18, with the Chicago Bears battling the Los Angeles Rams at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
This matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams aiming for a spot in the prestigious AFC Championship Game.
