2026 NFL Playoff Schedule: AFC, NFC Championship Games, TV, Streaming
The 2026 NFL Playoff Schedule is heating up as we get closer to the AFC and NFC Championship games on Sunday, January 25. There’s a lot of anticipation—fans can’t wait to see which teams will punch their tickets to Super Bowl LX, set for February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
This year’s championship matchups? The New England Patriots are taking on the Denver Broncos in the AFC, and the Seattle Seahawks will face the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC. These games look genuinely thrilling, and you can feel the tension building already.
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AFC Championship Game: New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
The AFC Championship Game starts at 3:00 PM ET. The second-seed New England Patriots are heading to Empower Field at Mile High to challenge the top-seed Denver Broncos.
CBS will air the game, and you can stream it on Paramount+. These two teams have a long history, and their last meeting in 2023 was a close one—Patriots edged out the Broncos 26-23 in Denver.
Denver actually leads the overall series, 31-24-0. That stat just adds a bit more edge to this already fierce rivalry.
Key Players to Watch
For the Patriots, quarterback Mac Jones is going to be under the microscope. He’ll try to repeat his previous success against Denver.
On the Broncos’ side, linebacker Von Miller anchors their defense and will try to keep Jones in check. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has also been making noise all season—don’t be surprised if he breaks out with a big play or two.
Game Strategies
New England usually leans on a balanced offense—think ground game mixed with quick, short passes. It’s all about controlling the clock and keeping Denver’s offense off the field.
Denver, on the other hand, is known for a tough defense and those sudden, explosive plays. Their plan? Pressure Jones and pounce on any slip-ups. Not to mention, that Mile High altitude? It could be a sneaky advantage for the Broncos.
NFC Championship Game: Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
After the AFC clash, the NFC Championship Game takes center stage. The fifth-seed Los Angeles Rams are heading to Lumen Field to face the top-seed Seattle Seahawks.
This one kicks off at 6:30 PM ET, airing on FOX and streaming on FOX One. Their regular-season meetings in 2025 were both nail-biters: the Rams squeaked out a 21-19 win at home in November, while the Seahawks won an overtime thriller, 38-37, in December.
Key Players to Watch
All eyes will be on Rams’ quarterback Matthew Stafford as he tries to outwit Seattle’s defense. Meanwhile, Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson will be looking for cracks in the Rams’ secondary.
Defensively, Aaron Donald for the Rams and Bobby Wagner for the Seahawks are absolute game-changers. Both could swing the outcome with a single play.
Game Strategies
The Rams are likely to hang their hopes on defense, letting Donald lead the charge to disrupt Wilson’s flow. Offensively, Stafford has to get the ball out fast—Seattle’s pass rush can be relentless.
Seattle? They’re tricky. Expect a mix of runs and passes to keep the Rams guessing. Special teams might even tip the balance, since both squads have reliable kickers who don’t seem to flinch under pressure.
Path to Super Bowl LX
The winners from these AFC and NFC showdowns will head to Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. NBC will have the broadcast at 6:30 PM ET.
Historical Context
Super Bowl LX wraps up what’s been a wild NFL season. The Patriots have been here plenty of times, but the Broncos, Seahawks, and Rams have all made noise in recent years too.
It’s shaping up to be a game loaded with history and, probably, a few surprises.
Fan Experience
Levi’s Stadium is a pretty impressive spot—modern, lively, and built for big moments. Fans at the game can expect everything from pre-game festivities to a halftime show that might just steal the spotlight.
If you’re watching from home, NBC’s coverage should keep you right in the action. There’s a good chance nobody will miss a beat.
Conclusion
The AFC and NFC Championship games are almost here. You can feel the buzz building already.
New England squares off against Denver, while the Rams clash with Seattle. Honestly, it’s shaping up to be a wild weekend for football fans.
The road to Super Bowl LX? It’s never easy, but that’s what makes it thrilling. January 25 is circled on a lot of calendars—maybe yours too.
If you want more details or just can’t get enough playoff updates, check out fbschedules.com.
