NFL Playoff Bracket 2026: The Road to Super Bowl LX
The NFL's conference championship weekend is here, and the first half of the action has been thrilling! The New England Patriots have secured their spot in the AFC Championship, setting the stage for an epic showdown against the Denver Broncos.
But let's dive into the details of this weekend's games and the updated playoff picture.
AFC Divisional Round Recap:
- The Patriots dominated the Houston Texans, winning 28-16. It was a defensive battle with eight turnovers in total, but the Patriots' offense shone through with three touchdown passes from Drake Maye.
- Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud faced a challenging day, under pressure from an injured offensive line, throwing four interceptions in the first half alone.
NFC Divisional Round Preview:
- The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams will battle it out in the nightcap, with the winner advancing to face the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship.
- The Seahawks, led by their powerful offense, defeated the San Francisco 49ers 41-6, showcasing their dominance.
Super Bowl Odds (Consensus via Action Network):
- Seattle Seahawks: +145
- New England Patriots: +250
- Los Angeles Rams: +315
- Denver Broncos: +1000
- Chicago Bears: +1600
2026 NFL Playoff Schedule:
- Divisional Round:
- Denver Broncos def. Buffalo Bills, 33-30 (OT)
- Seattle Seahawks def. San Francisco 49ers, 41-6
- New England Patriots def. Houston Texans, 28-16
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears, 6:30 p.m. ET
- Conference Championships (Sunday, Jan. 25):
- AFC: New England Patriots at Denver Broncos, 3 p.m. ET
- NFC: TBD at Seattle Seahawks, 6:30 p.m. ET
- Super Bowl LX (Sunday, Feb. 8):
- AFC Champion vs. NFC Champion, 6:30 p.m. ET
The Patriots' victory sets up an intriguing AFC Championship game, as they aim to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 2018. With both New England and Denver boasting 14-win seasons, the championship game promises an intense battle for the right to play in Super Bowl LX.
But here's the twist: the NFC Championship game is yet to be determined, leaving the playoff bracket full of surprises. Who will the Bears and Rams face, and will it be a repeat of the Seahawks' dominant performance? Stay tuned as we count down to the ultimate showdown!
