How to Watch the New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans: TV Channel, Kickoff Time, Streaming Options, and Tips for Setting a Reminder

One of the most anticipated games of the NFL divisional playoff round this season is the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans. This high-stakes contest pits two competitive teams against each other, with a trip to the AFC Championship Game on the line. If you’re planning to watch this game live, here’s everything you need to know about when and where to watch it on television, how to stream it online, and how to set reminders so you never miss kickoff.

Game Overview and Kickoff Time

The Patriots and Texans face off on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in the AFC Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. The game will take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, home of the New England Patriots. This is a crucial postseason matchup, with both franchises aiming to advance toward the conference championship and ultimately a chance at the Super Bowl.

The official kickoff time for this contest is set for 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Sunday. This time gives fans across the United States a mid-afternoon matchup to enjoy — perfect for Sunday football viewing.

TV Broadcast Information

If you want to watch the game on national television in the United States, you’re in luck: this playoff matchup is being broadcast on major networks that are widely available.

• ESPN and ABC are the primary national broadcasters for the game. These networks carry live coverage of the action throughout the afternoon and will include pre-game analysis, halftime commentary, and post-game reaction.

For fans in the Patriots’ local television market, local affiliates such as WCVB-TV (Boston) often simulcast nationally broadcasted games — giving viewers a local broadcast option.

Streaming Options

If you prefer to stream the game rather than watch on traditional TV, there are several options available:

• ESPN App — With a valid TV provider login, you can stream the live broadcast of the game on your mobile device, tablet, or connected TV.

• ABC App / Watch ABC — Some viewers can stream the game on the ABC app or website if they are authenticated through a TV provider that includes ABC.

• Live TV Streaming Services — Streaming platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and Sling TV include ESPN and ABC in their channel lineups, offering another option for viewers without traditional cable.

• NFL+ — For mobile viewers, the NFL’s official streaming service NFL+ offers live streaming of playoff games on smartphones and tablets (within the United States).

International audiences can often stream NFL postseason games through services such as NFL Game Pass or DAZN, depending on geographic availability and local broadcasting rights.

Radio and Alternative Access

Not everyone watches football on screens. If you want to listen to the game live, local team radio affiliates carry full play-by-play coverage:

• Patriots fans in New England can tune in to flagship stations like 98.5 The Sports Hub for live audio coverage.

• Texans fans can access live radio through the Houston Texans radio network and local Texas stations.

• SiriusXM NFL Radio also provides nationwide audio coverage, allowing fans to follow the game even without TV or internet access.

Setting Reminders

With so many viewing options available, it’s helpful to set reminders so you’re ready when kickoff arrives. Many streaming services and sports apps allow users to:

• Enable push notifications — You’ll get alerts when the broadcast is about to start.

• Add the game to your device calendar — Most sports apps provide a “Add to Calendar” button with the correct start time.

• Subscribe to alert updates — Social platforms like Twitter (X) and team apps will send reminders throughout game day.

Setting these alerts helps ensure you’re not late for pre-game analysis or missing the opening kickoff.