NFL 2026 Playoff Bracket and Schedule After Divisional Round
The NFL Playoff Bracket for 2026 is heating up as we move into the final stages of the postseason. With only six teams left in the running for Super Bowl LX, the excitement is palpable.
The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks have already secured their spots in the AFC and NFC Championship games, respectively, following their impressive victories in the divisional round. As we look ahead to the remaining matchups, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
This blog post will dive into the recent games, the upcoming schedule, and the key players to watch as teams fight for a coveted spot in the Super Bowl. Let’s get into it.
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Divisional Round Recap
The divisional round kicked off with a wild overtime win for the Denver Broncos, who edged out the Buffalo Bills 33-30. It was a nail-biter, honestly—Broncos fans were probably sweating bullets.
Even after losing starting quarterback Bo Nix to a brutal ankle injury, Denver hung in there. Backup Jarrett Stidham stepped up big time and pulled the Broncos through.
In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks absolutely rolled over the San Francisco 49ers with a 41-6 blowout. The Seahawks’ offense was in full gear, and their defense barely let the 49ers breathe.
Seattle’s win locked them into the NFC Championship, where they’ll meet either the Los Angeles Rams or the Chicago Bears. Not a bad spot to be in.
Upcoming Divisional Round Matchups
AFC: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
Next up in the AFC, the Houston Texans are set to clash with the New England Patriots. This one’s shaping up to be a heavyweight battle—Houston’s defense is nasty, and the Patriots have a passing attack that can burn you in a second.
The Texans have been forcing turnovers all season, even from some of the league’s best quarterbacks. If they can rattle the Patriots, things could get interesting fast.
The Patriots, meanwhile, are chasing their first AFC title game since the Tom Brady days. Quarterback Drake Maye led them past the Chargers in the Wild Card round, icing the game with a clutch touchdown late in the fourth.
Maye’s got that calm-under-pressure thing going on. He’ll need every bit of it here.
NFC: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
Over in the NFC, it’s the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Chicago Bears. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been on fire lately, leading a wild comeback against the Panthers in the previous round.
Stafford’s knack for delivering in crunch time could be the difference. But you never really know with these games, right?
The Bears are coming off a gutsy win over the Packers, erasing a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Caleb Williams, their rookie quarterback, engineered three straight touchdown drives to stun Green Bay.
Both squads have shown they can handle the heat. This one’s got “must-watch” written all over it.
Championship Games Preview
AFC Championship: Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans or New England Patriots
The Denver Broncos are waiting to see who they’ll face in the AFC Championship—either the Texans or the Patriots. Denver’s run has been gutsy, especially after losing their starting QB, but they keep finding ways to win.
Jarrett Stidham will have to keep playing at a high level if Denver wants to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. No easy task, considering what’s waiting on the other side.
The Texans’ defense is relentless, and the Patriots’ passing game can light up the scoreboard. Whoever advances, the Broncos will have their hands full.
NFC Championship: Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams or Chicago Bears
The Seattle Seahawks are set to face either the Rams or Bears in the NFC title game. Seattle’s been dominant, and that blowout of the 49ers was no fluke.
Still, they’ll have to watch out for both teams’ comeback potential. Matthew Stafford and Caleb Williams have both pulled off some late-game magic this postseason.
The Seahawks’ defense will need to be sharp to contain these quarterbacks and grab their spot in the Super Bowl. Can they do it? We’ll see soon enough.
Looking Ahead to Super Bowl LX
Super Bowl LX is coming up on February 8 in Santa Clara. The buzz is already in the air.
With just two games left before the big showdown, every play matters. The Broncos and Seahawks are only one win away from making it to the Super Bowl.
The Texans, Patriots, Rams, and Bears are all still fighting for their chance at the spotlight. You can just feel the tension building as the playoffs wind down.
Each team’s got its own quirks and flaws, and honestly, it’s anyone’s guess who’s going to pull it off. If you want the nitty-gritty details, check out the NFL Playoff Bracket 2026.
