Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: How to watch the NFL divisional round playoff game tonight

The Chicago Bears bounced back from an 18-point deficit to defeat the Green Bay Packers over Wild Card Weekend, and they’ll now face the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round playoff on their home turf, Soldier Field. The Bears and Rams did not meet in the regular season, so this will be the first time they face off; the winner will go on to play the winner of this weekend’s Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers game in the NFC Championship game on January 25. Here’s a closer look at the current playoff bracket.

Kick off for this week’s divisional round playoff game between the Rams and Bears is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock; here’s everything you need to know about this week’s game and the rest of the divisional round playoff schedule.

How to watch the Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears:

Date: Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026

Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

TV channel: NBC

Streaming: DirecTV, Peacock, YouTube TV, NFL+ and more

Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears game time:

The Rams vs. Bears game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT this Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears game channel:

The divisional playoff game between the Rams and the Bears will air on NBC, with Spanish-language broadcasts also available on Telemundo and Universo.

How to watch the Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears game without cable:

You can stream NBC on platforms like DirecTV and Peacock. (Note that Fubo and NBC are currently in the midst of a contract dispute and NBC channels are not currently available on the platform.) The game will also be streaming on Peacock and on NFL+, though with an NFL+ subscription, you’re limited to watching this week’s game on mobile devices.

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For $17 monthly you can upgrade to an ad-free subscription which includes live access to your local NBC affiliate (not just during designated sports and events) and the ability to download select titles to watch offline.

NFL Divisional Playoffs schedule:

All times Eastern.

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026

Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos, 4:30 p.m.(CBS)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8:00 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026

Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: 6:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

How to watch NFL games in 2026:

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 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. 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 so that come game time, tuning into your favorite team’s games will be as easy as simply turning on the TV.