The NFL regular season just ended on January 5, 2026, after an exciting Week 18 full of drama—like a last-second missed field goal that decided the final playoff spot! Now, 14 teams (7 from each conference) are in the playoffs, fighting for the Super Bowl on February 8, 2026.
Let me explain it step by step in simple terms, so it’s easy to follow:
How the Playoffs Work (The Basics)
- There are two conferences: AFC (American Football Conference) and NFC (National Football Conference).
- Each conference has 7 teams in the playoffs:
- 4 division winners (seeded 1-4 based on their records).
- 3 “wild card” teams (the next best records, seeded 5-7).
- The No. 1 seed in each conference gets a “bye” — they rest during the first round (Wild Card Weekend) and play at home in the next round.
- Higher seeds always play at home.
- The bracket “re-seeds” after each round: The No. 1 plays the lowest remaining seed, etc.
- Rounds: Wild Card → Divisional → Conference Championship → Super Bowl.
The Final Seeds (Who Made It and Their Ranking)
AFC (American Football Conference):
- Denver Broncos (bye — they rest first round)
- New England Patriots
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Pittsburgh Steelers (clinched with a thrilling win over Ravens)
- Houston Texans (wild card)
- Buffalo Bills (wild card)
- Los Angeles Chargers (wild card)
NFC (National Football Conference):
- Seattle Seahawks (bye — they rest first round)
- Chicago Bears
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Carolina Panthers (won the division via tiebreakers after other results helped them)
- Los Angeles Rams (wild card)
- San Francisco 49ers (wild card)
- Green Bay Packers (wild card)
Wild Card Round Matchups (First Round Games: January 10-12, 2026)
These are the opening games. Winners advance to play the No. 1 seeds next.
AFC Games:
- No. 7 Chargers @ No. 2 Patriots
- No. 6 Bills @ No. 3 Jaguars
- No. 5 Texans @ No. 4 Steelers (often a Monday night game)
NFC Games:
- No. 7 Packers @ No. 2 Bears (big rivalry — third meeting this season!)
- No. 6 49ers @ No. 3 Eagles (rematch of past playoff battles)
- No. 5 Rams @ No. 4 Panthers
Why This Bracket Matters (Quick Storylines)
- Home advantage is huge — higher seeds play at home.
- Rivalries: Packers vs. Bears is always intense; Eagles vs. 49ers has recent playoff history.
- Surprises: Carolina Panthers “backed in” without even winning their last game — other results handed them the division.
- Drama from Week 18: Pittsburgh needed that win (and a missed kick by Baltimore) to make it. Teams like the Eagles rested starters and dropped seeding.
After Wild Card Weekend, the winners move on, and the No. 1 seeds (Broncos and Seahawks) join. It’s single-elimination from here — lose once, and your season’s over!
