The 2026 NFL Playoffs begin on Saturday, January 10 with four teams starting the wild card round. The playoff field will feature 14 teams, 12 of them will play that first weekend and the number 1 seed in each conference will earn a bye to the Divisional Round. This year, the first round includes two games on Saturday, three games on Sunday and one game on Monday.
Eight teams will meet in the divisional round, and that weekend will feature two games on Saturday the 17th and two games on Sunday the 18th. The Conference Championship round follows and the last four teams will meet on Sunday the 25th. The last two teams will meet in Santa Clara, California, in Super Bowl 60, on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
The field is slowly filling up as teams punch their ticket to the 2026 NFL Playoffs. Below is each team that has clinched a playoff spot.
How they made sure: Beat the Green Bay Packers (34-26) to improve to 12-2.
The Broncos haven’t won many nice games this season, but they’re still making progress. Bo Nix has made plays when they mattered most and the Broncos have emerged as arguably the best team in the AFC. They clinched their playoff berth with a comeback victory over the Packers and moved one game ahead of the Patriots for the number one seed. They remain two games ahead of the Chargers and can clinch the AFC West title and the No. 1 seed with a win and some help in Week 16.
How they made sure: Beat the Detroit Lions (41-34) to improve to 11-3
Week 16 Update: Rams lose to Seahawks in overtime Thursday night football to fall to second place in the NFC West, pending the result of the 49ers-Colts on Monday. Los Angeles is now 11-4.
The Rams are playing as well as anyone right now and are headed back to the playoffs. They fell behind by ten points against Detroit, but a big third quarter got them back on track and they controlled things in the fourth quarter. They are tied with the Seahawks atop the NFC West, but hold the tiebreaker lead for the time being due to their first head-to-head win over Seattle in Week 11. The two teams meet in Week 16 with first place in the division and the No. 1 seed in the NFC on the line.
How they made sure: Beat the Seahawks (38-37) to improve to 12-3
The Seahawks won a wild overtime thriller over the Rams to clinch a playoff spot. More important than securing a playoff spot, the Seahawks moved into first place in the NFC West and took over the number one seed in the conference. They have won five games in a row and close the first season on the road against the Panthers and the 49ers. The division title will likely go down to the wire in Week 18.
How they made sure: Beat Washington Commanders (29-18) to improve to 10-5.
The Eagles have struggled in recent weeks after a 4-0 start, but are back in the playoffs. They outscored the Commanders in the second half to clinch the NFC East title. It was their second straight win after losing three in a row to the Cowboys, Bears and Chargers. They will head into Week 17 sitting one game behind the Bears for the No. 2 seed and two behind the Seahawks for the No. 1 seed.
How they made sure: Defeat of the Detroit Lions against the Pittsburgh Steelers (29-24)
The 49ers still have to play Monday night footballbut they got good news on Sunday when the Lions lost to the Steelers. San Francisco still has a chance to win the NFC West title and the number one seed in the conference, but at least they know they’re officially back in the playoffs. They host the Bears in Week 17 and finish the season at home against the Seahawks.
How they made sure: Victory over the Green Bay Packers (22-16) to improve to 11-4, along with the Detroit Lions’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (29-24)
Chicago has more important things on their mind, but at least they know they will play in the postseason. The Bears’ victory over the Packers reaffirmed their lead in the NFC North, and they now have a division-deciding game in Week 17. The Bears travel to face the 49ers next week and close the season at home against the Lions.
How they made sure: Victory over the Baltimore Ravens (28-24) to improve to 12-3
The Patriots held off Derrick Henry and the Ravens to punch their ticket to the 2026 NFL Playoffs. They remain one game ahead of the Bills in the AFC East and can clinch the division title next week with a win and a Bills loss. They also tied with the Broncos for the number one spot in the AFC. Denver has the tiebreaker heading into Week 17 based on the tiebreaker of common games.