New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans – How to Watch & Listen | AFC Divisional Round Playoff

Foxborough, Massachusetts – Time is ticking down: The AFC Divisional Round clash between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans is just hours away, kicking off at 3:00 PM EST on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Gillette Stadium. This high-stakes matchup pits two young, explosive quarterbacks against elite defenses, with a trip to the AFC Championship Game on the line.

The Patriots (14-3) enter as the No. 2 seed in the AFC, fresh off a gritty 16-3 wild-card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, where they sacked Justin Herbert six times and held the opposition to under 210 total yards. Rookie sensation Drake Maye (potential MVP candidate) shone in his first postseason start with 268 passing yards and 66 rushing, leading a high-powered offense that's been dominant at home. The Pats boast a top-tier scoring attack and a stout defense, but they'll face their toughest test yet against Houston's league-leading unit. A win here would mark their deepest playoff run since 2018.

Meanwhile, the Texans (12-5) are the No. 5 seed and riding momentum from a commanding 30-6 road shutout of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round—their first-ever road playoff victory in franchise history. C.J. Stroud has the experience (third straight divisional appearance), but faces injury concerns, including WR Nico Collins ruled out with a concussion. Houston's defense ranks No. 1 in total yards allowed and features stars like Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, forming a nightmare pass rush. They'll aim to disrupt Maye and force mistakes in this rematch of young guns.

📺 TELEVISION BROADCAST

• Nationwide/Local: Live on ESPN / ABC (local in New England: WCVB Channel 5)
• Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst), with Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge on sidelines

💻 LIVE STREAMING

• Nationwide: ESPN App, ABC App, FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV (free trials available)
• Out-of-Market: NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube / YouTube TV
• Additional: ESPN+, NFL+

🎧 RADIO BROADCAST

• New England: 98.5 FM The Sports Hub – Bob Socci (play-by-play), Scott Zolak (analyst)
• Nationwide/International: SiriusXM (Ch. 225 for NE, 226 for HOU; national on Ch. 88), TuneIn Premium, NFL App
• Westwood One national broadcast also available

📅 GAME DETAILS

• Kickoff: Sunday, January 18, 2026 – 3:00 PM EST
• Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
• Weather Forecast (latest update): Cold January afternoon, around 30-35°F (0-2°C), partly cloudy, light winds – typical New England winter chill, but Gillette's elements could factor in
• Gates Open: Approximately 2-3 hours before kickoff
• Tickets: Still available on Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, and StubHub (prices vary, starting around $200+ depending on section)

🔑 KEY STORYLINES

• New England Patriots (14-3): Rebounding from regular-season inconsistencies to become AFC East champs. Drake Maye leads a dynamic offense, but must avoid turnovers against Houston's pressure (2nd in pressure rate). Home playoff dominance (24-5 all-time at Gillette) and a confusing, muddy coverage scheme could stifle Stroud. Key: Protect Maye and exploit any Texans injuries.
• Houston Texans (12-5): From 0-3 start to 10-game win streak, defense is elite (No. 1 in yards allowed). Stroud's dual-threat and experience vs. Maye's breakout year make this a QB duel for the ages. Without Collins, rely on run game and secondary playmakers. A win would be their first AFC Championship appearance.
• Head-to-Head: Patriots lead all-time series (including 2-0 in playoffs, both at Gillette), but Texans won regular-season meeting last year 41-21.

⚠️ GAME SIGNIFICANCE This battle could define the AFC's future: Young QBs Drake Maye vs. C.J. Stroud under the playoff lights, elite defenses clashing, and seeding implications for the conference. A low-scoring, physical rock fight is expected—defenses win championships!

📱 FOLLOW THE GAME

• Live Updates: Patriots.com, Texans.com, NFL App
• Social Media: @Patriots · @HoustonTexans
• Highlights & Stats: NFL+, official team apps

Will the Patriots' home-field magic and Maye's MVP-level play propel them forward, or will the Texans' ferocious defense and Stroud's poise pull off the upset? A massive showdown at Gillette awaits! 🏈🔥