The Complete Guide to the 2026 NFL Postseason Picture
The regular season is officially over, and the NFL playoff bracket 2026 is set. For the state of Washington, the news couldn’t be better.
After a dominant 13-3 finish and a thrilling Week 18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks have officially clinched the NFC #1 Seed. For the first time in over a decade, the road to the Super Bowl runs through Lumen Field.
Table of Contents
This guide covers everything you need to know about the nfl playoff bracket, the wild card weekend schedule, and how the playoff picture shapes up for Washington’s home team.
The 2026 NFL Playoff Picture: At a Glance
The dust has settled on Week 18, and the nfl playoff standings are final. The bracket is locked, and 14 teams are preparing for the sprint to Santa Clara.
NFC Playoff Bracket (Seeds)
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3) – BYE / Home Field Advantage
- Chicago Bears (11-5) – NFC North Champions
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) – NFC East Champions
- Carolina Panthers (8-8) – NFC South Champions
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6-1)
AFC Playoff Bracket (Seeds)
- Denver Broncos (13-3) – BYE / Home Field Advantage
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
NFL Playoff Schedule: Wild Card Weekend
While the Seahawks enjoy their well-earned rest week, the wild card weekend schedule kicks off this Saturday. Here is when and where the action happens.
Saturday, January 10, 2026
- 4:30 PM ET: (7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Chicago Bears
- 8:15 PM ET: (5) Los Angeles Rams at (4) Carolina Panthers
Sunday, January 11, 2026
- 1:00 PM ET: (7) Los Angeles Chargers at (2) New England Patriots
- 4:30 PM ET: (6) San Francisco 49ers at (3) Philadelphia Eagles
- 8:15 PM ET: (6) Buffalo Bills at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars
Monday, January 12, 2026
- 8:15 PM ET: (5) Houston Texans at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers
Washington’s Path: Seahawks Playoff Scenarios
The playoff picture nfl analysts are buzzing about is focused squarely on the Pacific Northwest. By securing the #1 seed, Seattle avoids playing in the Wild Card round.
Who will Seattle play in the Divisional Round? As the top seed, the Seahawks will host the lowest-remaining seed from the NFC Wild Card round on either January 17 or 18.
- Scenario A: If the (7) Packers upset the Bears, Seattle hosts Green Bay.
- Scenario B: If the Bears win, Seattle will host the winner of the Rams/Panthers or Eagles/49ers game (whichever seed is lower).
This home-field advantage is massive. The “12th Man” in Washington will ensure that any opponent entering Lumen Field faces the loudest environment in sports.
NFC Playoff Picture & Key Matchups
The nfc playoff bracket is loaded with rivalry games this year.
Eagles vs. 49ers (Rematch) The most anticipated game of the nfl wild card schedule is the showdown in Philadelphia. The 49ers, despite having a better record (12-4) than the division-winning Eagles, must travel east. This benefits Seattle, as a 49ers loss would eliminate their biggest divisional threat.
NFC South Playoff Scenarios The nfc south playoff scenarios were chaotic until the final whistle of Week 18. The Carolina Panthers managed to clinch the division with a mediocre 8-8 record. They now host the powerful Los Angeles Rams. History shows that sub-.500 or .500 home teams can be dangerous in the nfl brackets, but the Rams are heavy favorites.
AFC Playoff Picture
Over in the afc playoff bracket, the Denver Broncos shocked the league by securing the #1 seed.
- The Contenders: The Patriots and Jaguars are looking strong, but the afc playoff picture is wide open.
- The Dark Horse: The Houston Texans (5th seed) are the team nobody wants to play, entering the nfl bracket on a hot streak.
Road to Super Bowl 2026
All roads lead to California.
- Event: Super Bowl LX (60)
- Super Bowl 2026 Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026
- Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
For Washington fans, the dream is alive: a short flight down the coast to see the Seahawks compete for the Lombardi Trophy in the 49ers’ backyard.
NFL Standings Today: Final 2025-26 Season
For those looking at the final nfl standings today, here is how the top of the league finished:
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3) – NFC West Champs
- Denver Broncos (13-3) – AFC West Champs
- New England Patriots (13-3) – AFC East Champs
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4) – Wild Card
The nfl brackets 2026 reflect a season dominated by strong defense and the resurgence of the NFC West.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the NFL playoff schedule for 2026?
A: The playoff schedule nfl begins with Wild Card Weekend on Jan 10-12, followed by the Divisional Round on Jan 17-18, Conference Championships on Jan 25, and Super Bowl LX on Feb 8.
Q: Did Washington make the playoffs?
A: Yes! The Seattle Seahawks (representing Washington state) clinched the #1 overall seed in the NFC. (Note: The Washington Commanders did not qualify for the nfc playoff picture this year).
Q: Where can I see the full NFL brackets?
A: The official nfl playoff bracket 2026 is available on NFL.com, but our visual guide above breaks down every matchup.
Q: What are the NFC South playoff scenarios?
A: The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South tiebreaker over the Falcons and Buccaneers to secure the #4 seed and a home playoff game.
