2026 NFL Playoff Schedule, Bracket: Steelers Win AFC North; Wild Card Kickoff Times

Published January 04, 2026

We now know every matchup to begin the 2026 NFL playoffs next weekend as part of the wild-card round.

The NFC will see a couple of high-profile matchups, while the Carolina Panthers will also host the Los Angeles Rams. Over in the AFC, the Bills will head to Jacksonville and the Chargers will face the Patriots.

Here’s the full playoff picture, including first-round games and final standings in both conferences:

NFL Playoff Schedule

Wild Card Weekend Schedule

All times are ET.

Saturday

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

Sunday

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

Monday

8 p.m. – Houston Texans (5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4)

[ NFL Playoff Format: How Does the Postseason Work? ]

NFL Playoff Schedule

January 10-12, 2026: Wild-card round
January 17-18: Divisional round
January 25: AFC and NFC championship games
February 8: Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California

NFL Playoff Picture

AFC

Broncos (13-3)**
Patriots (13-3)**
Jaguars (13-4)**
Steelers (10-7)**
Texans (12-5)
Bills (12-5)
Chargers (11-6)

** Division champion

[ 2026 Draft Order: Raiders Clinch No. 1 Overall Pick ]

The AFC North — and final playoff spot in the NFL — goes to the Steelers. Pittsburgh clinched the division title in a thrilling game on Sunday night and will host Houston next Monday night.

Before the season, few would have predicted that the top three seeds in the AFC would be the Broncos, Patriots and Jaguars. Denver, though, won the AFC West by three games, New England won 14 games and the Jaguars won 13.

Denver will get the first-round bye while New England and Jacksonville play on Wild Card Weekend — and neither has an easy matchup.

Chargers vs. Patriots will feature two of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks with Drake Maye and Justin Herbert facing off. The Jaguars drew the shortest straw and will have to host Josh Allen.

NFC

Seahawks (14-3)**
Bears (11-6)**
Eagles (11-6)**
Panthers (8-9)**
Rams (12-5)
49ers (12-5)
Packers (9-7-1)

** Division champion

The Seahawks clinched the No. 1 seed on Saturday night and will watch Wild Card Weekend from home.

The Bears lost to the Lions on Sunday, but they will remain the No. 2 seed in the NFC because the Eagles also lost to the Commanders. Chicago will host the Packers, with those division rivals meeting for the third time in the past month, while the Eagles will welcome the 49ers to Philadelphia.

The Rams beat the Cardinals on Sunday, which moved them above San Francisco in the standings. Los Angeles, for its efforts, will now face the NFC South-champion Carolina Panthers next weekend.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/2025-26-nfl-playoff-picture-bracket-schedule-how-field-looks-entering-week-18