2026 NFL Playoff Picture: Who's in and out?

The top-scoring 14 teams of 32 will be qualify for the playoffs from two AFC and NFC conferences to compete in the 2026 NFL playoffs. In order to the NFL doesn’t changes playoff system No. 1 seed from each AFC and NFC conference will earn the divisional playoff with home-field advantage and the rest of the 12 non-division winners wild card teams host based on their overall won-lost-tied record will be clinched 2–7. Second-seeded hosts seventh seed, third hosts the sixth seed and fourth hosts the fifth seed.

2026 AFC playoff picture if the season ended today after Week 5

Indianapolis Colts (5-1) (South winner)
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) (North winner)
Buffalo Bills (4-1) (East winner)
LA Chargers (4-2) (West winner)
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
Denver Broncos (4-2)
New England Patriots (4-2)

In the hunt

Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
Houston Texans (2-3)
Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)

2026 NFC playoff picture if the season ended today after Week 5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) (South winner)
Green Bay Packers (3-1-1) (North winner)
San Francisco 49ers (4-2) (West winner)
Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) (East winner)
Detroit Lions (4-2)
Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
LA Rams (4-2)

In the hunt

Minnesota Vikings (3-2)
Washington Commanders (3-2)
Carolina Panthers (3-3)
Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
Chicago Bears (2-2)

Wild Card playoffs Schedule and Results

Saturday, January 10, 2026

AFC: TBA vs TBA
AFC: TBA vs TBA

Sunday, January 11, 2026

AFC: TBA vs TBA
NFC: TBA vs TBA
NFC: TBA vs TBA

Monday, January 12, 2026

NFC: TBA vs TBA

Divisional playoffs scenarios

Saturday, January 17, 2026

AFC: TBA vs TBA
NFC: TBA vs TBA

Sunday, January 18, 2026

NFC: TBA vs TBA
AFC: TBA vs TBA

Conference Championships

Sunday, January 25, 2026

NFC Championship: TBA vs TBA
AFC Championship: TBA vs TBA

Super Bowl LX

Date: February 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California. CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN and Amazon Prime Video will be televised the playoffs and NBC for Super Bowl LX.