How to Watch NFL Playoffs 2026: Stream Texans, Patriots, Rams & Bears

NFL SUNDAY PLAYOFFS: HOW TO STREAM THE TEXANS, PATRIOTS, RAMS, AND BEARS WITHOUT CABLE

It is playoff Sunday, and if you are a football fan, the air is thick with that specific brand of January tension. Today, we have two massive matchups: the Houston Texans taking on the New England Patriots, followed by the Los Angeles Rams facing off against the Chicago Bears. But for many of us, the real nail-biter is not the opening kickoff; it is the frantic five minutes before the game starts when you realize you are not exactly sure which app holds the keys to the broadcast.

The days of simply flipping to a channel number are gone. In 2026, watching the NFL playoffs is a strategic exercise in app management. If you have cut the cord, you know the freedom of avoiding a massive cable bill, but you also know the minor panic of the "Loading..." screen. Today, we are breaking down exactly how to watch these specific games, how to do it for free if you are savvy, and how to upgrade your tech so you never miss a game-winning drive to a buffering wheel again.

THE 2026 BROADCAST MAP: WHERE TO TUNE IN TODAY

This year, the NFL has leaned even harder into exclusive streaming partnerships. While local affiliates still carry games in their home markets, the national landscape for cord-cutters has shifted.

For the early window, the Houston Texans at the New England Patriots is a CBS broadcast. This means your primary destination is Paramount Plus. Unlike previous years where the "Essentials" plan might have left you out in the cold, today’s Paramount Plus subscription includes the live CBS feed for all playoff matchups. If you have a live TV streamer like YouTube TV or FuboTV, you can also find it on your local CBS affiliate, but for the direct-to-app crowd, Paramount Plus is the play.

The late game—Rams vs. Bears—is the one that might trip people up. This is an NBC broadcast, which means it is streaming exclusively on Peacock. We have seen Peacock become a major player in the NFL postseason over the last few years, and today is no different. You will need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to access the live stream of the game. Do not wait until five minutes before the Rams take the field to find your password or update your payment method; the Peacock interface can get a bit crowded during high-traffic events.

PRO-TIP: THE SEVEN-DAY PLAYBOOK

If you are not already a subscriber to Paramount Plus or Peacock, here is your winning drive: use the free trials. Both services frequently offer a seven-day trial for new users. If you sign up today, you can catch both games for exactly zero dollars, provided you remember to cancel before the week is out. It is the ultimate cord-cutter victory—access to world-class sports without a long-term commitment. Just be sure to use a unique email address if you have trialed these services in the past.

ELIMINATING THE LAG: THE CASE FOR WI-FI 7

There is nothing worse than seeing a "Spoilers" text message from a friend because your stream is thirty seconds behind. Lag and buffering are the enemies of the modern sports fan. Most people blame their internet provider, but the culprit is often an outdated router trying to push 4K video to multiple devices at once.

If you are looking for a way to future-proof your home—or looking for the ultimate gift for a sports obsessed spouse—it is time to talk about Wi-Fi 7. By early 2026, Wi-Fi 7 has become the standard for high-bandwidth homes. Routers like the TP-Link Deco BE85 or the Netgear Nighthawk RS700 offer speeds and "multi-link operation" that essentially create a dedicated highway for your streaming device. This means even if the rest of the family is gaming or on video calls in the other room, your 4K stream of the Bears game stays crisp and instantaneous.

GIFTING THE STADIUM EXPERIENCE AT HOME

When we think about gifting for football fans, we often default to a new jersey or a branded hat. But those are static gifts. If you want to give something that changes how they experience every Sunday, you have to look at immersive tech.

For the fan who wants to feel like they are sitting on the fifty-yard line, the Meta Quest 3S or the Apple Vision Pro has changed the game. Both platforms now offer "stadium view" apps that allow you to watch the game on a massive virtual screen while sitting in a digital recreation of the stadium. You can see live stats floating to the right of the screen and a social feed to the left. It is the most immersive way to watch football without actually buying a ticket to Foxborough.

If VR feels a bit too isolating, consider the audio. Most flat-screen TVs have speakers that sound thin and tinny—hardly the roar of a playoff crowd. A high-end soundbar with Dolby Atmos, like the Sonos Arc or the Bose Ultra Soundbar, solves the biggest pain point of home viewing: hearing the pads crunch and the quarterback’s cadence over the ambient noise of your own house. It is a gift that fixes a problem every single time the TV is turned on.

BEYOND THE PIXELS: THE GAME DAY ECOSYSTEM

Finally, let’s talk about the environment. Watching the playoffs is a marathon, not a sprint. If you are gifting, think about the "peripheral" experience. A portable 4K projector, such as the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2, is a fantastic option for fans who want to move the party from the living room to the basement or even the garage. It is easy to set up, scales up to 100 inches, and ensures that everyone has a clear view of the action.

And if you really want to win the day? Pair that tech with a high-end delivery. Services that offer curated "Game Day Boxes" featuring artisanal snacks and local brews from the competing cities (think Texas BBQ vs. New England Clam Chowder) add a layer of hospitality that makes the game feel like an event rather than just another Sunday on the couch.

THE FINAL WHISTLE

Watching the NFL playoffs without cable in 2026 is easier than ever, but it does require you to be a bit more intentional. Between Paramount Plus and Peacock, you have a clear path to today's games. By leveraging free trials and ensuring your home network is up to the task with Wi-Fi 7, you can enjoy the Texans, Patriots, Rams, and Bears with better clarity and less frustration than the guy still paying $200 a month for a cable box.

Do your prep work now, check your connections, and get the snacks ready. The playoffs only happen once a year—make sure your setup is as ready as the players on the field.