By Waqar Ali Shah, Sports Business Correspondent | Jan 13, 2026 |ย Sports
The 2026 NFL Playoff schedule has officially shifted gears as the Wild Card round concludes and the path to Super Bowl LX becomes clear. Following the Houston Texans’ historic 30-6 road victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, the 2026 NFL playoff Schedule bracket is now set for a high stakes Divisional Round. Whether you are looking for the latest scores or the upcoming kickoff times for this weekendโs games in Seattle, Denver, and Chicago, our updated guide covers everything you need to know about the remaining postseason field.
Wild Card Weekend: Live Scores & Schedule (NFL Playoff Schedule)
| Matchup | Status / Final Score |
| (5) LA Rams @ (4) Panthers | Rams 34-31 |
| (7) Packers @ (2) Chicago Bears | Bears 31-27 |
| (6) Bills @ (3) Jaguars | Bills 27-24 |
| (6) 49ers @ (3) Eagles | 49ers 23-19 |
| (7) Chargers @ (2) Patriots | Patriots 16-3 |
| (5) Texans @ (4) Steelers | Texans 30-6 |
Sunday Recap: Road Warriors and Defensive Dominance
Sundayโs triple header saw the road teams assert their will. Josh Allen overcame multiple injury scares to lead the Buffalo Bills to a 27-24 comeback win in Jacksonville. In Philadelphia, the San Francisco 49ers outlasted the Eagles 23-19, though the win came at a high cost as star TE George Kittle suffered a season ending Achilles injury. The night concluded in Foxborough, where Drake Maye and the Patriots defense stifled the Chargers in a 16-3 slugfest.
Saturday Recap: Dramatic Finishes in Charlotte and Chicago
Wild Card Weekend kicked off with two instant classics. Matthew Stafford led the LA Rams on a 71 yard game winning drive, capped by a Colby Parkinson touchdown, to narrowly escape Carolina with a 34-31 victory.
In the nightcap, the Chicago Bears pulled off the largest playoff comeback in franchise history at Soldier Field. Rookie sensation Caleb Williams threw for 361 yards, erasing an 18-point deficit to stun the Green Bay Packers 31-27 and advance to the Divisional Round.
Monday Night Recap: Texans Make History in Pittsburgh
The Houston Texans secured their first ever road playoff win in franchise history with a dominant 30-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Texans’ defense smothered Aaron Rodgers all night, while C.J. Stroud managed the game perfectly to advance Houston to the Divisional Round.
Monday Night Injury Update:
- Nico Collins (WR): The Texans’ star was carted off in the 4th quarter with a concussion. He is currently in the NFL protocol and is a major question mark for Sunday’s game in New England.
- Aaron Rodgers (QB): Finished the game healthy but hinted at potential retirement during the post-game press conference.
Updated 2026 NFL Playoff Bracket
The road to Santa Clara is narrowing. The NFL re seeds after this round the #1 seeds will host the lowest remaining seeds next weekend.
NFC Divisional Matchups Set
The NFC bracket is locked in following the 49ers’ upset over the Eagles. Because the NFL re seeds after every round, the top seeded Seahawks will host the lowest-remaining seed (San Francisco).
- (6) San Francisco 49ers at (1) Seattle Seahawks
- When: Saturday, Jan 17 | 8:15 PM ET
- TV: FOX
- Key Storyline: A heated NFC West rivalry rematch. Seattle beat SF in Week 18, but the 49ers are coming off a massive momentum building win in Philly.
- (5) LA Rams at (2) Chicago Bears
- When: Sunday, Jan 18 | 3:00 PM ET
- TV: NBC / Peacock
- Key Storyline: Can rookie Caleb Williams continue his magic? After a historic 18 point comeback against the Packers, the Bears host a dangerous Rams team that just won a 34-31 thriller in Carolina.
AFC Side
ADVANCED: [2] New England Patriots
ADVANCED: [5] Houston Texans
ADVANCED: [6] Buffalo Bills
BYE: [1] Denver Broncos
Whatโs Next Table (Official TV/Times)
The NFL has officially announced the TV times for this weekend
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| (6) Bills @ (1) Broncos | Sat, Jan 17 | 4:30 PM | CBS |
| (6) 49ers @ (1) Seahawks | Sat, Jan 17 | 8:15 PM | FOX |
| (5) Rams @ (2) Chicago Bears | Sun, Jan 18 | 3:00 PM | NBC |
| (5) Texans @ (2) Patriots | Sun, Jan 18 | 6:30 PM | CBS |
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FAQ
What week do the NFL Playoff Schedule start?
The NFL Playoff schedule officially began with Wild Card Weekend on January 10, 2026. The first round is now complete, and the postseason continues with the Divisional Round on January 17โ18, 2026.
Who is favored to win the NFC Championship?
The Seattle Seahawks remain the betting favorites to win the NFC and advance to Super Bowl LX. As the No. 1 seed, they hold home field advantage at Lumen Field. However, the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers are seeing a surge in odds after their impressive Wild Card victories.
Who is favored to win the Super Bowl in 2026?
The Seattle Seahawks (+330) and Los Angeles Rams (+425) are currently the top favorites to win Super Bowl LX. From the AFC, the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots lead the pack, while the Houston Texans have seen their odds jump significantly following their 30-6 blowout win over the Steelers.
How do the NFL playoffs work?
The NFL playoffs consist of 14 teams. Following the Wild Card round, the NFL re seeds the bracket. This means the No. 1 seed (Seahawks/Broncos) always plays the lowest remaining seed in their conference. All games are single elimination, leading up to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, CA.
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