The road to Super Bowl 60 starts this weekend. Fourteen teams enter the playoffs but only one will lift the Lombardi Trophy on February 8. The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos earned first-round byes after finishing 14-3. Twelve other teams must battle through Wild Card Weekend to keep their championship dreams alive.
This playoff bracket features defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia fighting to repeat. Young quarterbacks like Drake Maye and Caleb Williams make their postseason debuts. Veterans like Aaron Rodgers might be playing their final games. We break down every game from Wild Card Weekend through Super Bowl 60 with detailed analysis and final scores.
Disclaimer: These predictions represent our expert analysis before the playoffs begin. We will update this article with actual results after each round finishes. Check back after Wild Card Weekend, Divisional Round and Conference Championships for updated predictions based on real outcomes.
Wild Card Round Predictions
Saturday, January 10
Game 1: (5) Los Angeles Rams at (4) Carolina Panthers – 4:30 PM ET (FOX)
Carolina backed into the playoffs at 8-9 by winning a weak NFC South. The Panthers scored just 16 points per game over their final four contests. Matthew Stafford leads the NFL with 4,743 passing yards and a stunning 48-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The Rams get wide receiver Davante Adams back from injury. Adams leads the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns despite missing three games.
The experience gap between Stafford and Bryce Young matters in January. Stafford won Super Bowl LVI and thrives under pressure. Young has never played a playoff game. Carolina’s defense allowed 102 points in their final four weeks. The Rams want revenge after losing 31-28 to Carolina in Week 13.
Pick: Rams 34, Panthers 20
Game 2: (7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Chicago Bears – 8:00 PM ET (Prime Video)
The NFL’s oldest rivalry reaches the playoffs. These teams split their regular-season meetings with both games coming down to the final possession. Jordan Love returns from his concussion for the Packers. Chicago went 6-1 in their last seven home games at Soldier Field. Caleb Williams has eight career fourth-quarter comebacks.
The Packers’ defense collapsed after Micah Parsons suffered a season-ending injury. Green Bay ranked in the top 10 defensively through 12 weeks but fell to bottom-five in the final six weeks. The crowd at Soldier Field provides the difference. Williams leads another clutch drive in the fourth quarter.
Pick: Bears 24, Packers 22
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Sunday, January 11
Game 3: (6) Buffalo Bills at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars – 1:00 PM ET (CBS)
Jacksonville hasn’t lost since November 9. The Jaguars won eight straight games to finish 13-4. Josh Allen owns a 5-0 record in home Wild Card games since 2020. The road tells a darker story. Allen is 0-4 in playoff games away from Buffalo. Allen has never won a postseason game outside of western New York.
Trevor Lawrence plays the best football of his career. He set a franchise record with 38 total touchdowns this season. Jacksonville boasts the NFL’s top-ranked rush defense. The Jaguars focus on stopping James Cook and force Allen to beat them through the air. Allen’s road playoff demons continue.
Pick: Jaguars 30, Bills 27
Game 4: (6) San Francisco 49ers at (3) Philadelphia Eagles – 4:30 PM ET (FOX)
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles host the 49ers. Philadelphia won Super Bowl LIX and returns with most of their core intact. Brock Purdy suffered a left shoulder stinger in Week 18 against Seattle. His health is the biggest question mark of Wild Card Weekend.
Jalen Hurts has been dominant at Lincoln Financial Field throughout his career. He led the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory last season. The Eagles’ defense allowed the NFL’s third-fewest points entering Week 18. San Francisco’s defense struggled lately by allowing 102 points over their final four weeks. Philadelphia’s championship experience decides this game.
Pick: Eagles 27, 49ers 21
Game 5: (7) Los Angeles Chargers at (2) New England Patriots – 8:00 PM ET (NBC)
Drake Maye is a favorite to win league MVP after leading the Patriots to their first AFC East title since 2019. This is New England’s first home playoff game at Gillette Stadium since the Tom Brady era ended. Justin Herbert is 0-2 in postseason games with just two touchdown passes and four interceptions in playoff action.
New England scored 28.8 points per game compared to the Chargers’ 21.6 average. The Patriots dominated on the ground over their last five games. They averaged 168.6 rushing yards per game. The Chargers must travel from sunny California to cold New England in January. Maye outplays Herbert in prime time.
Pick: Patriots 26, Chargers 20
Monday, January 12
Game 6: (5) Houston Texans at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers – 8:00 PM ET (ESPN/ABC)
The 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers possibly plays his final NFL game. Rodgers led the Steelers to the playoffs with a dramatic Week 18 comeback against Baltimore. Houston finished with the second-best scoring defense in the NFL. They allowed just 17.4 points per game. The Texans enter on a nine-game winning streak.
C.J. Stroud has taken a big step forward in his second season. Rodgers averaged just 6.5 yards per attempt over the final six weeks. Age has caught up to his arm strength and mobility. Houston is the better team in every category. The Texans’ defense overwhelms Rodgers and forces him into mistakes.
Pick: Texans 24, Steelers 17
Also check out our 2026 NFL Playoffs Predictor.
Wild Card Round Summary & Advancing Teams (Predicted)
NFC Advancing: (5) Los Angeles Rams, (2) Chicago Bears, (3) Philadelphia Eagles
AFC Advancing: (3) Jacksonville Jaguars, (2) New England Patriots, (5) Houston Texans
Home field advantage dominated Wild Card Weekend. Five of six home teams advanced to the Divisional Round. The biggest upset was Jacksonville over Buffalo. Josh Allen’s road playoff curse continued as the Jaguars’ winning streak reached nine games. The highest-scoring game went exactly as predicted with Jacksonville and Buffalo combining for 57 points.
Divisional Round Predictions (January 17-18, 2026)
Saturday, January 17
Game 1: (5) Los Angeles Rams at (1) Seattle Seahawks – 4:30 PM ET (FOX)
The Seahawks earned their first-round bye by dominating the regular season at 14-3. Seattle gets an extra week to rest and prepare. Geno Smith had an excellent regular season with 4,200 yards and 32 touchdowns. Matthew Stafford must deal with one of the NFL’s best defenses. The crowd at Lumen Field creates one of the loudest environments in football. Seattle’s bye week advantage proves too much for the Rams to overcome.
Pick: Seahawks 31, Rams 24
Game 2: (5) Houston Texans at (2) New England Patriots – 8:00 PM ET (NBC)
This game features a battle of elite defenses. Drake Maye faces his biggest test as a young quarterback. The Texans’ pass rush will pressure him all night. New England’s rushing attack presents problems for Houston. The Patriots dominated on the ground in their Wild Card win. This game comes down to who makes fewer mistakes. The Patriots commit a costly turnover in the third quarter but recover. Maye’s clutch play in the fourth quarter lifts New England.
Pick: Patriots 23, Texans 20
Sunday, January 18
Game 3: (3) Jacksonville Jaguars at (1) Denver Broncos – 3:00 PM ET (CBS)
The Broncos earned the AFC’s top seed at 14-3. Bo Nix had a breakout season in his second year. He threw for 3,800 yards and 35 touchdowns. Jacksonville rides a nine-game winning streak into Denver. The altitude at Mile High Stadium creates challenges for visiting teams. Trevor Lawrence keeps this game competitive into the fourth quarter. Nix makes enough plays to pull away late. The Jaguars’ winning streak finally ends.
Pick: Broncos 28, Jaguars 24
Game 4: (3) Philadelphia Eagles at (2) Chicago Bears – 6:30 PM ET (FOX)
The defending Super Bowl champions travel to Chicago. Caleb Williams makes his second playoff start. He led the Bears to a thrilling Wild Card victory over Green Bay. Jalen Hurts has been outstanding in the playoffs throughout his career. The Eagles’ championship experience proves decisive. Philadelphia makes fewer mistakes in critical moments. Hurts leads a long touchdown drive in the fourth quarter.
Pick: Eagles 27, Bears 23
Divisional Round Summary & Advancing Teams (Predicted)
NFC Advancing: (1) Seattle Seahawks, (3) Philadelphia Eagles
AFC Advancing: (2) New England Patriots, (1) Denver Broncos
Both number one seeds advanced to their Conference Championship Games. The Patriots pulled off the round’s biggest upset by beating Houston. Drake Maye’s clutch play in the fourth quarter lifted New England. The young quarterback announced himself as a star. Philadelphia’s championship experience carried them past Chicago. The Eagles made the plays that mattered most.
Conference Championship Predictions (January 25, 2026)
AFC Championship Game
(2) New England Patriots at (1) Denver Broncos – 3:00 PM ET (CBS)
The AFC Championship features two young quarterbacks battling for a Super Bowl berth. Drake Maye is the favorite for league MVP. Bo Nix led the Broncos to the AFC’s best record. Sean Payton’s coaching experience gives Denver an edge. Payton won Super Bowl LI with the Saints. The altitude at Mile High Stadium affects visiting teams. New England must adjust to the thin air.
Maye keeps this game close with his playmaking ability. He extends several drives with his legs. The Patriots trail by just three points late in the fourth quarter. Denver’s defense makes a crucial stop on fourth down. The Broncos run out the clock and advance to Super Bowl 60.
Pick: Broncos 30, Patriots 27
NFC Championship Game
(3) Philadelphia Eagles at (1) Seattle Seahawks – 6:30 PM ET (FOX)
The NFC Championship features the defending champions against the conference’s top seed. Philadelphia seeks back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Seattle tries to reach their first Super Bowl since 2014. The crowd at Lumen Field creates problems for visiting offenses. Saquon Barkley’s playoff experience helps Philadelphia. He carries the ball 25 times and controls the clock.
This game comes down to the final possession. Seattle leads by three with two minutes left. Philadelphia drives into field goal range. The Eagles face fourth-and-three from the Seattle 28-yard line. Hurts drops back and looks for an open receiver. The pass falls incomplete. Seattle runs out the clock and advances to Super Bowl 60.
Pick: Seahawks 24, Eagles 21
Conference Championship Summary (Predicted)
Super Bowl 60 Matchup: AFC Champion Denver Broncos (16-3) vs NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks (16-3)
Both conference champions finished the regular season at 14-3. They earned first-round byes and protected home field throughout the playoffs. Denver and Seattle both went 2-0 at home in the playoffs. Home field advantage proved decisive in both Conference Championship Games. The Broncos survived a tough test from the Patriots. Bo Nix made the plays that mattered most. The Seahawks held off the defending champions in a thriller.
Super Bowl 60 Prediction (February 8, 2026)
Denver Broncos vs Seattle Seahawks – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Projected Spread: Seahawks -2.5 | Kickoff: 6:30 PM ET (NBC)
Super Bowl 60 features the two best teams from the regular season. Bo Nix reaches the Super Bowl in just his second season. Geno Smith’s journey to the Super Bowl is remarkable. He spent years as a backup before getting his chance in Seattle. The coaching matchup features Sean Payton against Ryan McDonald. Payton won Super Bowl LI with the Saints in 2009. The experience gap gives Denver an advantage.
The first half features strong defensive play from both teams. Seattle jumps out to a 14-7 lead. Denver responds with a touchdown drive before halftime. The game goes to the break tied at 14-14. The third quarter sees both offenses find their rhythm. Denver takes a 21-14 lead on a Nix touchdown pass. Seattle responds with a field goal. The Broncos lead 21-17 entering the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter delivers the drama everyone expects. Seattle ties the game at 21-21 on a Geno Smith touchdown pass. Denver responds with a field goal to take a 24-21 lead. Seattle kicks a field goal to tie it at 24-24 with five minutes left. Bo Nix leads the Broncos on a methodical drive. He completes several crucial third-down passes. Denver reaches the Seattle 15-yard line with two minutes left. Nix finds his receiver in the back of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. Denver leads 31-24 with 1:47 remaining.
Geno Smith gets one final chance to tie the game. He completes three straight passes to move into Denver territory. Seattle faces fourth-and-six from the Denver 42 with 45 seconds left. The pass sails over his receiver’s head. Denver takes over on downs and runs out the clock.
Pick: Broncos 28, Seahawks 26
Super Bowl MVP: Bo Nix – 298 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT. Led game-winning drive in final two minutes.
Key Storylines Throughout the 2026 Playoffs
Bo Nix Validates the Broncos’ Faith
Denver selected Bo Nix in the first round of the 2024 draft. Many analysts questioned the pick. Nix struggled in his first few NFL games. That patience paid off with a Super Bowl championship in Year 2. Nix threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns in Super Bowl 60. He led the game-winning drive in the final two minutes.
Geno Smith’s Redemption Story Falls Short
Geno Smith’s journey to Super Bowl 60 captivated football fans. He spent years as a backup quarterback. Smith got his chance in Seattle and proved he could be a franchise quarterback. The Seahawks reached the Super Bowl but came up just short. Smith threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns in the championship game.
Aaron Rodgers’ Career Ends Without Second Ring
The 42-year-old quarterback played his final game in Pittsburgh’s Wild Card loss. Rodgers showed flashes in the comeback win over Baltimore. The Texans’ defense overwhelmed him in the playoffs. Rodgers finishes his career with one Super Bowl ring and four MVP awards.
Josh Allen’s Road Playoff Curse Continues
Buffalo’s star quarterback fell to 0-5 in road playoff games. Allen has been brilliant at home with five straight Wild Card wins. The loss to Jacksonville raised serious questions about the Bills’ Super Bowl window. Allen threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns but also two costly interceptions.
Young Quarterbacks Announce Themselves
Drake Maye reached the AFC Championship in his second season. He threw for seven touchdowns in three playoff games. Caleb Williams won his first playoff game against Green Bay. Trevor Lawrence threw for eight touchdowns in two playoff games. The future of the NFL looks bright.
Defending Champions Come Up Short
Philadelphia’s quest for back-to-back titles ended in Seattle. The Eagles reached the NFC Championship for the third straight year. Jalen Hurts solidified his status as an elite quarterback. The loss stings but Philadelphia remains a powerhouse.
Dark Horse & Upset Predictions
Biggest Upset: Jaguars Over Bills in Wild Card
Jacksonville entered as 1.5-point underdogs at home. The Jaguars extended their winning streak to nine games. Josh Allen’s road playoff struggles continued. Trevor Lawrence threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns. The upset proved that home field matters in January.
Patriots’ Surprising AFC Championship Run
New England entered the playoffs as a seven seed. The Patriots beat the Chargers and Texans on the road. Drake Maye’s emergence as an MVP candidate shocked many analysts. The playoff run exceeded expectations and validated the rebuild. New England’s future looks bright with Maye at quarterback.
Disappointing Exits: 49ers and Bills
San Francisco lost to Philadelphia in the Wild Card Round. Brock Purdy’s shoulder injury limited the offense. The early exit was disappointing after strong regular season play. Buffalo’s loss to Jacksonville continued their playoff frustrations. The Bills have elite talent but cannot break through in January.
Stats & Trends That Defined the 2026 Playoffs
Home Field Advantage Dominated
Home teams went 8-3 in the playoffs. Wild Card Weekend saw home teams go 5-1. Both Conference Championship home teams won. Home field proved more valuable than usual in the 2026 playoffs. The crowd noise affected communication and momentum throughout the postseason.
Young Quarterbacks Thrived
Bo Nix won Super Bowl MVP in his second season. Drake Maye reached the AFC Championship. Caleb Williams won his first playoff game. The transition to younger stars accelerated throughout the postseason. The older generation had mixed results as the league shifts to new faces.
Defense Won Championships
Denver allowed just 21.7 points per game in the playoffs. Seattle held opponents to 23 points per game. Both Super Bowl teams featured top-five defenses. The 2026 playoffs reinforced that defense wins titles. The highest-scoring teams did not make deep runs.
Turnover Margin Decided Close Games
Teams that won the turnover battle went 9-2 in the playoffs. The Broncos forced six turnovers in four playoff games. Seattle forced five turnovers in their playoff run. Ball security and creating takeaways determined winners. Critical turnovers swung multiple games throughout January.
FAQs: 2026 NFL Playoff Predictions
Who wins Super Bowl 60?
The Denver Broncos defeat the Seattle Seahawks 28-26 in Super Bowl 60. Bo Nix leads a game-winning drive in the final two minutes and earns Super Bowl MVP honors after throwing for 298 yards and three touchdowns.
When is Super Bowl 60?
Super Bowl 60 takes place on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Kickoff is at 6:30 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on NBC and stream on Peacock at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Which teams have first-round byes?
The Seattle Seahawks earned the NFC’s number one seed at 14-3. The Denver Broncos earned the AFC’s number one seed at 14-3. Both teams host Divisional Round games after resting in Wild Card Weekend.
What is the biggest upset prediction?
Jacksonville Jaguars over Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round represents the biggest upset. The Jaguars extend their winning streak to nine games while Josh Allen’s road playoff record falls to 0-5.
Who is the Super Bowl MVP?
Bo Nix wins Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 298 yards and three touchdowns. He leads the game-winning drive in the final two minutes and becomes one of the youngest Super Bowl MVPs in NFL history.
Which Wild Card team goes furthest?
The Jacksonville Jaguars advance the furthest among Wild Card teams. They beat Buffalo at home in the opening round before losing to Denver in the Divisional Round. Their nine-game winning streak ends in the Mile High altitude.
What time do the playoff games start?
Wild Card games start at various times from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET across three days. Divisional Round games kick off at 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM ET on Saturday with Sunday games at 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM ET. Conference Championships both happen on Sunday at 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM ET.
Who are the Super Bowl favorites?
The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos enter as favorites after earning number one seeds. Both teams finished 14-3 in the regular season. The defending champion Philadelphia Eagles also have strong odds before the playoffs begin.
Can a Wild Card team win the Super Bowl?
Wild Card teams have won the Super Bowl before. The 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers won as a five seed. Our prediction has both number one seeds reaching Super Bowl 60. The best teams proved their worth in the 2026 playoffs.
What is the closest playoff game predicted?
Super Bowl 60 is the closest game with Denver winning 28-26. The AFC Championship between Denver and New England finishes 30-27. Several Wild Card games also feature tight finishes including Bears over Packers 24-22.
Which young quarterback has the best playoff run?
Bo Nix has the best playoff run among young quarterbacks. He goes 4-0 and wins Super Bowl MVP. Drake Maye throws for seven touchdowns in three games. Caleb Williams wins his first playoff start. Trevor Lawrence throws for eight touchdowns in two games.
The 2026 NFL playoffs deliver everything fans want. Bo Nix’s Super Bowl victory caps a remarkable season for the Broncos. The emergence of young stars like Nix, Maye, Williams and Lawrence signals a new era in the NFL. Bookmark this guide and follow along as these predictions unfold throughout January and February.
