Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans: How to watch today’s NFL game, kickoff time, TV channel and more

The 11-5 Houston Texans are currently No. 2 in the AFC South, but they can still grab the No. 1 spot in the division with a win against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, as long as the Jacksonville Jaguars also lose to the Tennessee Titans. (Odds of the No. 1 Jaguars taking the division are still high, but stranger things have happened.) The Texans will host the Colts on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET, but don’t expect to see Philip Rivers on the field. The quarterback has retired (again) after a three-game stint for the team and Riley Leonard will start in the Week 18 game.

The Colts vs. Texans game will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch this and every other Week 18 game.

How to watch the Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans:

Date: Sunday, Jan. 4

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

TV channel: CBS

Streaming: Paramount+, DirecTV, NFL+ and more

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans game time:

The Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans game channel:

The Week 18 game between the Colts and Texans will air on CBS, which means if it’s on in your area, it’ll also stream live on Paramount+. You can also tune in on mobile devices with NFL+.

How to watch the Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans game without cable:

NFL Week 18 schedule:

All times Eastern.

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

Panthers vs. Buccaneers: 4:30 p.m. (ESPN/ABC)
Seahawks vs. 49ers: 8:00 p.m. (ESPN/ABC)

Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026

Colts vs. Texans: 1:00 p.m.(CBS)
Chargers vs. Broncos: 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Browns vs. Bengals: 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Packers vs. Vikings: 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Jets vs. Bills: 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Commanders vs. Eagles: 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Saints vs. Falcons: 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Titans vs. Jaguars: 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Cowboys vs. Giants: 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Lions vs. Bears: 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Cardinals vs. Rams: 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Dolphins vs. Patriots: 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Ravens vs. Steelers: 8:20 p.m. (NBC)

How to watch NFL games in 2025:

Many NFL games are broadcast on local channels, so if you’re looking to catch an in-market game, it may be as simple as turning on your TV (or setting up a digital TV antenna) or finding a live TV streaming service that carries the correct RSN (Regional Sports Network). If you want to watch out-of-market games, a $7 monthly subscription to NFL+ will let you watch every out-of-market-game local and primetime game in the season on your phone — but only a select few regular season games on your TV. You could also spring for the uber-expensive NFL Sunday Ticket package to get every out-of-market Sunday game of the season.

When it comes to nationally broadcast games, NFL games typically air across ESPN, NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC and NFL Network. Thursday Night Football games stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, select football games will stream exclusively on Peacock, games on CBS will stream live on Paramount+, and Monday Night Football games will air on ESPN or ABC and stream on the newly revamped ESPN+ this season. That’s six channels and four streaming platforms to keep up with this season — and that’s not counting your local RSN’s for in-market games and an NFL+ or NFL Sunday Ticket subscription for out-of-market games. Plus, Netflix is once again hosting at least two Christmas Day matches, so add that subscription into the mix. And we can’t forget about Fox One, Fox’s first streaming service, a place where you can also stream games airing on FOX (if you don’t already have access to it).

Confused? You’re not alone. Here’s a breakdown of the platforms we recommend checking out ahead of the 2025 NFL season, so that come game time, tuning into your favorite team’s games will be as easy as simply turning on the TV.