2026 NFL Playoff Picks and Predictions

ByNayon

With Week 14 approaching, the playoff race is shaping up across both conferences. Based on the current standings, here’s how the AFC and NFC playoff brackets would look if the season ended today – including first-round matchups, potential upsets, and Super Bowl predictions.

AFC Leaders Week 13

  1. Denver Broncos (10-2): Clinch AFC #1 seed with balance, defense surge, and a 9-game winning streak.
  2. New England Patriots (10-2): Lock #2 seed thanks to elite point differential and perfect road record.
  3. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4): Take AFC South as a steady, efficient division leader.
  4. Baltimore Ravens (6-6): Win AFC North by tiebreak despite inconsistency.
  5. LA Chargers (8-4): Top Wildcard with strong divisional record and balanced offense.
  6. Indianapolis Colts (8-4): Wildcard team powered by the AFC’s best point differential.
  7. Buffalo Bills (8-4): Final Wildcard with strong home performance and offense.
  8. Houston Texans (7-5): Just outside but surging, one spot short.
  9. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6): Miss due to negative point margin and recent losses.
  10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6): Miss because of poor road record and shaky conference play.
  11. Miami Dolphins (5-7): Late push not enough to compensate early slump.
  12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8): Eliminated with bottom-tier defense.
  13. NY Jets (3-9): Eliminated due to weak offense and division struggles.
  14. Cleveland Browns (3-9): Eliminated with no division wins.
  15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10): Eliminated-six straight losses seal it.
  16. Tennessee Titans (1-11): Eliminated early, full rebuild mode.

NFC Leaders Week 13

  1. Chicago Bears (9-3): Clinch NFC #1 seed behind hottest streak in the conference.
  2. LA Rams (9-3): Win NFC West thanks to elite defense and top net points.
  3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4): Capture NFC East on consistency and strong conference record.
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5): Take NFC South as the only positive-momentum team.
  5. Seattle Seahawks (9-3): Top Wildcard, arguably NFC’s most complete team.
  6. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1): Wildcard locked due to undefeated division record.
  7. San Francisco 49ers (9-4): Final Wildcard-great defense, but tiebreak loses them the division.
  8. Detroit Lions (7-5): First team out; inconsistent division play hurts.
  9. Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1): In the hunt but miss due to conference tiebreaks.
  10. Carolina Panthers (7-6): Above .500 but not enough in a stacked NFC race.
  11. Atlanta Falcons (4-8): Eliminated-offense too inconsistent.
  12. Minnesota Vikings (4-8): Eliminated-four straight losses sink hopes.
  13. Arizona Cardinals (3-9): Eliminated-defense collapses late.
  14. Washington Commanders (3-9): Eliminated-seven straight losses.
  15. New Orleans Saints (2-10): Eliminated-no momentum, poor conference results.

NY Giants (2-10): Eliminated with winless road record.

If the playoffs started today, expect a mix of veteran leadership and young quarterbacks defining the 2026 postseason – with Kansas City Chiefs finally lifting the Lombardi Trophy.