Patriots Host Texans in Crucial NFL Divisional Playoff Showdown

The New England Patriots are set to face the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the 2026 NFL playoffs. This highly anticipated matchup will take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on **January 18, 2026**, at **3 p.m. ET**. The winner will earn a spot in the AFC Championship Game, intensifying the stakes for both teams.

The Patriots entered the postseason as the **No. 2 seed** in the AFC. They secured a home game in the Wild Card round, where they overcame the **No. 7 seed** Los Angeles Chargers with a score of **16-3**. Quarterback **Drake Maye** played a pivotal role, achieving **268 passing yards** and a touchdown, alongside **66 rushing yards** on **10 carries**. His performance has positioned him as a finalist for the **MVP Award**, underlining the significance of his contributions throughout the regular season.

Conversely, the Texans, seeded **No. 5**, triumphed over the **Pittsburgh Steelers** in their Wild Card matchup, winning decisively with a score of **30-6**. This victory was marked by two defensive touchdowns scored late in the game, turning what had been a lackluster performance into a commanding win.

Viewing Options for the Matchup

Fans eager to watch the Patriots vs. Texans can catch the game nationally on **ESPN** and **ABC**. The broadcast will feature **Joe Buck** as the play-by-play commentator and **Troy Aikman** providing analysis. Sideline reports will be handled by **Lisa Salters** and **Laura Rutledge**.

For those who prefer streaming, the game will be available on the **ESPN app** and **Fubo**, both of which include ESPN and ABC in their channel lineups. Fubo is currently offering a free trial, making it an appealing option for viewers wanting to catch the action live.

Radio Coverage and Additional Details

Radio coverage for the Patriots vs. Texans matchup will be provided by **SiriusXM**. Listeners can find the Patriots broadcast on channel **225** and the Texans broadcast on channel **226**. New subscribers to SiriusXM can enjoy a free month of service, which includes access to live broadcasts of various sports events.

As the NFL’s Divisional Round progresses, fans can also look forward to other matchups scheduled for the same weekend. On **January 17**, the **Denver Broncos** will face the **Buffalo Bills** at **4:30 p.m. ET**, followed by the **Seattle Seahawks** taking on the **San Francisco 49ers** at **8 p.m. ET**. The following day, the **Chicago Bears** will meet the **Los Angeles Rams** at **6:30 p.m. ET**, rounding out the playoff action.

The clash between the Patriots and Texans promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams vying for a chance to advance further in the playoffs. As anticipation builds, fans are preparing for what could be a thrilling afternoon of football.