2026 NFL Playoff Picks and Predictions
The road to Super Bowl LX begins with a loaded NFL Wild Card Weekend featuring elite quarterbacks, rising contenders, and several tight betting lines. From Saturday night through Tuesday morning, playoff hopefuls will fight to keep their championship dreams alive. Using current odds, matchups, and form, here are game-by-game Wild Card picks and predictions as the postseason officially gets underway.
AFC Wild Card Round Predictions
(7) Houston Texans @ (2) New England Patriots
New England’s home-field advantage and balanced offense give them the edge, but Houston’s physical defense keeps this close. The Patriots’ consistency late in games should be the difference.
- Pick: Patriots advance
(6) Buffalo Bills @ (3) Jacksonville Jaguars
This matchup has shootout potential, but Buffalo’s experience in high-pressure playoff games gives them a slight advantage. Expect a tight contest decided by quarterback play in the fourth quarter.
- Pick: Bills advance
(7) Los Angeles Chargers @ (2) Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh’s defense and playoff-tested approach match up well against a Chargers team that can be inconsistent on the road. The Steelers’ ability to control tempo gives them the nod.
- Pick: Steelers advance
AFC First-Round Bye
Denver Broncos
Denver enters the postseason in prime position, benefiting from rest and home-field advantage as the AFC’s most complete team.
NFC Wild Card Round Predictions
(7) Green Bay Packers @ (2) Chicago Bears
A classic rivalry matchup that should go down to the final minutes. Green Bay’s recent success against Chicago and playoff experience give them a slight edge despite playing on the road.
- Pick: Packers advance
(6) Los Angeles Rams @ (3) Philadelphia Eagles
The Rams’ offensive firepower makes them a dangerous road team, but Philadelphia’s physical style and strong home record should hold up in a high-stakes environment.
- Pick: Eagles advance
(5) San Francisco 49ers @ (4) Carolina Panthers
San Francisco’s roster depth and postseason experience loom large against a Panthers team that has struggled with consistency. This feels like a spot where talent wins out.
- Pick: 49ers advance
NFC First-Round Bye
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle’s first-round bye puts them in an excellent position to control the NFC playoff path.
Key Takeaways
- Denver and Seattle are ideally positioned with first-round byes and home-field advantage.
- The AFC Wild Card field is loaded, with Buffalo, Houston, and the Chargers all capable of making deep playoff runs.
- In the NFC, San Francisco and the Rams stand out as dangerous road teams despite not winning their divisions.
- Several postseason matchups are extremely tight, meaning one key turnover or late drive could reshape the bracket quickly.
Super Bowl Prediction
Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks
Why Seattle wins:
- League-best balance on both sides of the ball
- Elite, playoff-ready defense
- Massive point differential (+164)
- Team is peaking at the right time
Super Bowl Champion: Seattle Seahawks
- Championship value: +550
Wild Card Weekend is where Super Bowl paths begin to take shape. Favorites like the Rams and Patriots look positioned to advance, while tighter games such as Packers–Bears and Bills–Jaguars could reshape the playoff bracket quickly. As the field narrows, execution and composure will matter more than seeding-setting the stage for an unpredictable and thrilling road to the Super Bowl.