Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Texans vs. Patriots: Key Injuries and Fantasy Picks Revealed

1/18/2026

50 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On January 18, 2026, the Houston Texans will face the New England Patriots in the NFL Divisional Round, with Nico Collins ruled out due to a concussion and Christian Kirk expected to step up.
In the other matchup, the Los Angeles Rams will play the Chicago Bears as teams vie for a spot in the NFC Championship.
Fantasy analyst Mike McClure recommends Stefon Diggs and Tyler Higbee for DFS lineups.

History

Historical Context

The NFL merged with the AFL in 1970, creating a unified league that significantly boosted its popularity. This merger led to the establishment of the Super Bowl, which became a major sporting event, attracting over 60 million viewers by the late 1970s. Today, ongoing concerns about player safety, highlighted by incidents like Nico Collins' concussion, continue to shape discussions around the league's protocols.

1 of 2

Story summary

On January 18, 2026, the Houston Texans will face the New England Patriots in the NFL Divisional Round, with Nico Collins ruled out due to a concussion and Christian Kirk expected to step up.
In the other matchup, the Los Angeles Rams will play the Chicago Bears as teams vie for a spot in the NFC Championship.
Fantasy analyst Mike McClure recommends Stefon Diggs and Tyler Higbee for DFS lineups.

1 / 2