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Here’s how to watch the Texans play the Patriots for free in the NFL Playoffs.

January 18, 2026

Today, January 18th, the NFL playoffs’ divisional round continues with the New England Patriots taking on the Houston Texans. This matchup pits the AFC’s leading scoring team, New England, against the NFL’s top defensive unit, Houston.

The Texans managed to secure their first road playoff win by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 in the wild card round. However, they’ll be missing a crucial offensive player this evening. Nico Collins, their leading receiver, has suffered his second concussion this season during that victory. Another receiver, Justin Watson, is also out due to a concussion.

On the other hand, the Patriots earned a narrow 16-3 win against the Chargers in their Wild Card game, largely due to solid performances from their defense and special teams. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye did contribute by completing 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards, albeit with one interception.

When: January 18th at 3:00 PM ET
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts
Channel: ESPN, ABC
Streaming: DIRECTV (with a free trial available)

Although snow is predicted for today, if it snows heavily, it may prevent some from watching the game. But hey, it’s winter, right?

The outcome will determine who meets the Broncos in the AFC Championship on Sunday, January 25th.

Texans vs. Patriots Start Time:

The kickoff is set for today, January 18th at 3 PM ET on ESPN and ABC.

How to Watch Texans vs. Patriots for Free:

If you don’t have cable, you can use a live TV streaming service to catch the Texans vs. Patriots game for free. DIRECTV offers a free 5-day trial, which includes ESPN and ABC. After that, it’s about $49.99 a month for access to over 90 channels.

If you’re not keen on a long commitment, consider Sling’s orange plan. For $4.99, you can access 24 hours of their content, which includes ESPN. They also offer longer options for 3 to 7 days.