NFL Playoffs 2026: Complete Bracket, Wild Card Schedule & Who’s Still Alive 🔥

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Football fans, here’s the thing: the regular season’s in the rear-view mirror and everything now points toward January in a big way. The NFL playoffs are officially set, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most compelling postseasons in years. Whether you’re tracking the playoff schedule, checking the NFL playoff picture, or just want to understand who’s still alive and who’s watching from home, this guide breaks it all down.

We’ll walk through the bracket, preview key matchups, explain the schedule and seeding, and dive into some context around the teams and stakes. And yes, we’ll touch on the big questions — like are the Ravens in the playoffs? or are the Steelers in the playoffs?

A Quick Primer: How the NFL Playoffs Work

The NFL postseason is a single-elimination tournament involving 14 teams — seven from each conference (AFC and NFC). That’s four division winners and three wild cards per conference. The top seed in each conference gets a bye past the first round, while the remaining six teams face off during Wild Card Weekend to advance.

Once the wild card games are over, teams are re-seeded. The lowest remaining seeds face the highest seeds in the Divisional Round. Winners move on to Conference Championships, and the champs of the AFC and NFC collide in Super Bowl LX. NBC New York

The 2026 NFL Playoffs: Teams That Made It

Here’s how the playoff field looks heading into Wild Card Weekend:

AFC Playoff Teams

#1 Denver Broncos – AFC West champions, first-round bye
#2 New England Patriots – AFC East champions
#3 Jacksonville Jaguars – AFC South champions
#4 Pittsburgh Steelers – AFC North champions
#5 Houston Texans – Wild card
#6 Buffalo Bills – Wild card
#7 Los Angeles Chargers – Wild card NBC New York

NFC Playoff Teams

#1 Seattle Seahawks – NFC West champions, first-round bye
#2 Chicago Bears – NFC North champions
#3 Philadelphia Eagles – NFC East champions
#4 Carolina Panthers – NFC South champions
#5 Los Angeles Rams – Wild card
#6 San Francisco 49ers – Wild card
#7 Green Bay Packers – Wild card NBC New York

So to answer some burning viewer questions right off the bat:

Are the Ravens in the playoffs? No — the Baltimore Ravens were eliminated from postseason contention after losing in Week 18. Baltimore Beatdown
Are the Steelers in the playoffs? Yes — they clinched the AFC North and will host a wild card game. Behind the Steel Curtain

NFL Playoffs Schedule 2026: Wild Card Weekend

The action starts on Saturday, January 10, and runs through Monday, January 12 — a three-day stretch filled with do-or-die games. Here’s how it’s laid out:

Wild Card Weekend Schedule

Saturday, Jan. 10

Los Angeles Rams (5) at Carolina Panthers (4) — 4:30 p.m. ET
Green Bay Packers (7) at Chicago Bears (2) — 8:00 p.m. ET

Sunday, Jan. 11

Buffalo Bills (6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3) — 1:00 p.m. ET
San Francisco 49ers (6) at Philadelphia Eagles (3) — 4:30 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Chargers (7) at New England Patriots (2) — 8:00 p.m. ET

Monday, Jan. 12

Houston Texans (5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4) — 8:15 p.m. ET Yahoo Sports+1

That Monday night matchup is a big one — the Steelers hosting the hot-streaking Texans — and gives the AFC a dramatic close to the Opening Weekend. Behind the Steel Curtain

Breaking Down the Bracket Picture

Once the wild cards are done, the playoff picture will sharpen. But even before the first kickoff, we know how the bracket is likely to shape up:

AFC Bracket Snapshot

Broncos (1) have home field throughout and wait for the lowest remaining seed.
Patriots (2) vs. Chargers (7) kicks off Sunday night.
Jaguars (3) host the Bills (6).
Steelers (4) host the Texans (5) on Monday. Heavy Sports

The AFC side feels wide open once you step past Denver. The Jaguars have one of the more balanced rosters in the conference, while Buffalo is always a tough out with Josh Allen under center. And Houston’s long winning streak makes them dangerous. Houston Chronicle

NFC Bracket Snapshot

Seahawks (1) enjoy a bye and home field.
Bears (2) host the Packers (7) — a rivalry game that could steal the weekend.
Eagles (3) host the 49ers (6).
Panthers (4) host the Rams (5). Heavy Sports

On the NFC side, Seattle’s defense and overall balance make them favorites. But Philly is battle-tested, and the 49ers bring a dynamic offensive attack that could make things interesting. The Bears-Packers matchup is one fans have circled all year; don’t sleep on that rivalry turning into a playoff classic. Yahoo Sports

Why This Postseason Matters

If you sift through the stats and stories, a few themes stand out:

1. Quarterback Storylines Are Huge

The postseason often comes down to who can make plays when it matters most. Teams with experienced signal-callers — whether it’s in Buffalo, New England, or elsewhere — are betting on that experience to push them deep.

2. Defense Still Wins Games

Look at Denver and Seattle — teams built from the trenches up. When defenses can control tempo and field position, it keeps everything easier for the offense.

3. The Wild Card Teams Aren’t Pushovers

Texans? Packers? Rams? Each has elements that can disrupt the higher seeds. That’s why watching the NFL wild card schedule feels like a whole season in itself.

These playoff dynamics make the bracket unpredictable, and that’s part of the charm. Anyone who’s watched the NFL for long knows that once January hits, momentum can flip in a heartbeat.

What Comes After Wild Card Weekend

Once the wild cards wrap, the Divisional Round takes place on January 17–18. Winners from the opening weekend are reseeded — meaning the highest seeds face the lowest seeds moving forward. That’s when we start to get a real sense of championship contenders.

The Conference Championships will be held on January 25, and the winners earn their shot at the ultimate prize: Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. NBC New York

Scenarios That Could Shake Up the Playoff Picture

There’s still a ton of discussion floating around:

Will the Seahawks’ defense hold up against a challenging NFC bracket?
Can the Texans’ late-season surge translate into an upset over the Steelers?
Are the Bears finally rounding into form — and could that matter for an NFC title run?

And don’t forget: injuries and weather can tilt outcomes fast. Football’s messy and unpredictable that way, especially in January.

Fans’ Top Questions: FAQs About the NFL Playoffs

Q1: When do the NFL playoffs start in 2026?
The 2026 NFL playoffs begin with Wild Card Weekend on January 10, running through January 12, 2026. Yahoo Sports

Q2: What’s the full NFL playoffs bracket look like?
The playoff bracket includes 14 teams — seven each from the AFC and NFC — with #1 seeds (Broncos and Seahawks) earning first-round byes. NBC New York

Q3: Are the Ravens in the playoffs?
No. The Ravens were eliminated from contention after losing in Week 18. Baltimore Beatdown

Q4: Are the Steelers in the playoffs NFL field?
Yes. The Steelers clinched the AFC North and will host the Texans in their wild card game. Behind the Steel Curtain

Q5: What’s the NFL wild card schedule?
Games are spread across Jan. 10–12, including three Saturday/Sunday games and a Monday night matchup. Yahoo Sports

Q6: Who has a first-round bye in the 2026 playoffs?
The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos both earned byes by finishing atop their respective conferences. NBC New York

Q7: Where is Super Bowl LX being played?
Super Bowl LX will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026. NBC New York

Closing Thoughts

Here’s the bottom line: the NFL playoffs are why people fall in love with football. After months of highs, lows, heartbreak, and triumph, everything now comes down to performance under pressure. There’s drama in every matchup, rivalry narratives in every bracket line, and — if history tells us anything — no shortage of surprises.

So mark your calendars, memorize the playoff schedule, and watch some great football. The road to Super Bowl LX is officially underway.