The NFL regular season has wrapped, and the 2026 playoff picture is finally set, sending fans across the nation into a frenzy of anticipation. After a dramatic Week 18 filled with last-minute heroics and division-deciding moments, the postseason schedule is locked in, with the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers set to kick off the Wild Card Round on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern. The action will unfold over three jam-packed days, culminating in a Monday night showdown between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Let’s break down how each team punched its ticket to the postseason and what fans can expect as the NFL playoffs get underway.
Division Titles Decided by the Narrowest of Margins
The Pittsburgh Steelers clinched the AFC North in heart-stopping fashion, edging out the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 after Baltimore missed a field goal on the game’s final play. That win not only handed the Steelers a division crown but also secured the final playoff berth in the AFC. According to multiple sources, the Steelers will now host the Houston Texans in the last game of the Wild Card Round on Monday, January 12, at 8 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers’ resilience under pressure has been a recurring theme this season, and their reward is a home playoff game with everything on the line.
Meanwhile, the NFC South came down to a wild finish. The Carolina Panthers emerged atop a three-way tie after the Atlanta Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints. A late Saints’ interception sealed the fate of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allowing Carolina to clinch the division and the No. 4 seed. The Panthers, at 8-9, will host the 12-5 Los Angeles Rams in Charlotte to open the postseason. Talk about a dramatic twist—few predicted the Panthers would be hosting a playoff game after such an up-and-down campaign!
Top Seeds Secure Byes, Rest Up for the Divisional Round
The Seattle Seahawks soared to the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 14-3 record, earning a well-deserved week off. They’ll get to watch the chaos unfold during Wild Card Weekend before hosting the highest remaining seed in the Divisional Round. Over in the AFC, the Denver Broncos matched Seattle’s 14-3 mark, clinching home-field advantage and a bye of their own. Both teams have been models of consistency all year long, and now they’ll wait to see who emerges from the Wild Card scrum.
Wild Card Matchups: Rivalries, Rematches, and Fresh Faces
The Wild Card Round is stacked with compelling matchups, including a few classic rivalries and some fresh postseason faces. Here’s the full slate (all times Eastern):
Saturday, January 10
4:30 p.m. – Los Angeles Rams (5) at Carolina Panthers (4) on FOX
8:00 p.m. – Green Bay Packers (7) at Chicago Bears (2) on Amazon Prime Video
Sunday, January 11
1:00 p.m. – Buffalo Bills (6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3) on CBS
4:30 p.m. – San Francisco 49ers (6) at Philadelphia Eagles (3) on FOX
8:00 p.m. – Los Angeles Chargers (7) at New England Patriots (2) on NBC
Monday, January 12
8:00 p.m. – Houston Texans (5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4) on ESPN/ABC
Each of these games carries its own storylines. The Bears and Packers will meet for the third time this season, reigniting one of football’s oldest rivalries under the playoff lights of Soldier Field. The Rams, who finished 12-5, must travel to face the Panthers in Charlotte—a matchup that no one saw coming a month ago. The Jaguars, led by a surging young core, will try to hold off the battle-tested Bills, while the Eagles and 49ers square off in a clash of NFC powerhouses. The Chargers, with one of the league’s most explosive offenses, head to Foxborough to take on the Patriots and their vaunted defense.
How Did We Get Here? Final Standings and Seeds
The final regular season standings shaped a playoff field loaded with intrigue. Here’s how the seeds shook out:
NFC:
1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
2. Chicago Bears (11-6)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
4. Carolina Panthers (8-9)
5. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
6. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1)
AFC:
1. Denver Broncos (14-3)
2. New England Patriots (14-3)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
5. Houston Texans (12-5)
6. Buffalo Bills (12-5)
7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
Notably, the Seahawks and Broncos each locked down the top seed and a first-round bye, while the Patriots and Bears each claimed the No. 2 seed in their respective conferences. The 49ers and Rams both finished 12-5, but tiebreakers placed San Francisco at No. 6 and Los Angeles at No. 5 in the NFC.
Looking Ahead: Divisional Round, Championship Sunday, and the Super Bowl
The Divisional Round is set for January 17-18, 2026, with game times and TV channels to be determined based on Wild Card results. The NFL will re-seed the bracket, so the top seeds in each conference will face the lowest remaining seed. Championship Sunday follows on January 25, with the AFC Championship at 3 p.m. ET on CBS and the NFC Championship at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX. The grand finale, Super Bowl LX, will take place on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
What’s at Stake? High Hopes and Heavy Pressure
For teams like the Seahawks and Broncos, anything less than a Super Bowl appearance will feel like a disappointment after such dominant regular seasons. The Bears and Patriots, both boasting 11-plus wins, are determined to prove they belong among the league’s elite. Meanwhile, the Panthers and Steelers are playing with house money, having clinched playoff spots in dramatic, last-minute fashion. Could one of these underdogs make a Cinderella run?
Fans will be watching closely to see if the Rams, with their high-powered offense, can shake off last year’s postseason heartbreak, or if the Eagles and 49ers can recapture the magic that propelled them deep into previous playoff runs. The Chargers and Jaguars, both featuring young quarterbacks and explosive playmakers, are eager to make their mark on the league’s biggest stage.
Ready for Kickoff
With the Wild Card Round just days away, anticipation is at a fever pitch. The playoff schedule is packed with must-see matchups, historic rivalries, and the promise of unforgettable moments. As teams prepare for the gauntlet ahead, one thing is certain: the road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara will be anything but predictable.
Wild Card Weekend is set to deliver drama, upsets, and plenty of surprises. Buckle up, NFL fans—the postseason is here, and the chase for the Lombardi Trophy is officially on.
