The 2026 NFL playoff bracket is set following the conclusion of the regular season on Sunday, January 4, 2026. The Wild Card round begins on Saturday, January 10, with the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks earning the No. 1 seeds and first-round byes in the AFC and NFC, respectively.


The 2026 NFL Playoff Field Is Official and Championship Fever Sweeps Across New Jersey
The road to the Lombardi Trophy has officially begun. With the 2026 NFL playoff bracket now locked in, football fans across New Jersey and beyond are turning their full attention to the most electric stretch of the professional football calendar. From Wild Card Weekend through the Super Bowl, the postseason represents everything the sport does best: high stakes, unforgettable moments, and seasons defined by legacies.
This year’s playoff field brings together the league’s most resilient franchises, battle-tested quarterbacks, and emerging stars who have carried their teams through a demanding regular season. Each matchup offers a new chapter in rivalries that have shaped the league for decades, along with opportunities for new storylines to be written on the biggest stage in American sports.
As anticipation builds, fans are also gearing up in another important way—by showing their loyalty and pride through official team apparel. The Pro Merch NFL Playoff Collection has arrived, giving supporters access to postseason-exclusive gear designed to commemorate the 2026 playoff run. These limited-edition releases typically feature updated team graphics, bold championship-driven designs, and premium materials that distinguish them from standard regular-season merchandise.
From hoodies and jackets to hats, tees, and cold-weather gear, the playoff collection allows fans to represent their team in style throughout every round. Whether cheering from home, hosting watch parties, or attending games in person, the latest merchandise has become an essential part of the postseason experience. Many fans view these collections as keepsakes that mark historic playoff moments, especially during deep championship runs.
In New Jersey, playoff excitement carries an added sense of community. Local bars, restaurants, and sports lounges transform into game-day gathering spots, uniting fans across generations. Conversations revolve around bracket predictions, potential Super Bowl matchups, and the players who could define this year’s postseason with iconic performances. Every drive, turnover, and touchdown becomes part of a shared narrative that extends far beyond the stadium walls.
The NFL playoffs are more than a tournament—they are a cultural event that blends tradition, competition, and fan identity. With the 2026 bracket officially set and the Pro Merch NFL Playoff Collection rolling out, the stage is prepared for weeks of drama, celebration, and unforgettable football. As the chase for the Lombardi Trophy begins, one thing is certain: the postseason has arrived, and New Jersey is ready.
Wild Card Round Schedule
The first round of the playoffs features six matchups across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. All times are Eastern Time (ET).
- Saturday, Jan. 10
- 4:30 p.m.: No. 5 Los Angeles Rams at No. 4 Carolina Panthers (FOX)
- 8 p.m.: No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Chicago Bears (Prime Video)
- Sunday, Jan. 11
- 1 p.m.: No. 6 Buffalo Bills at No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars (CBS)
- 4:30 p.m.: No. 6 San Francisco 49ers at No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles (FOX)
- 8 p.m.: No. 7 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 2 New England Patriots (NBC)
- Monday, Jan. 12
- 8:15 p.m.: No. 5 Houston Texans at No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers (ESPN/ABC)
AFC and NFC Standings
The full seeding for both conferences is as follows:
| Seed | AFC Team | Record | Seed | NFC Team | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver Broncos | 14-3 | 1 | Seattle Seahawks | 14-3 |
| 2 | New England Patriots | 14-3 | 2 | Chicago Bears | 11-6 |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 13-4 | 3 | Philadelphia Eagles | 11-6 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-7 | 4 | Carolina Panthers | 8-9 |
| 5 | Houston Texans | 12-5 | 5 | Los Angeles Rams | 12-5 |
| 6 | Buffalo Bills | 12-5 | 6 | San Francisco 49ers | 12-5 |
| 7 | Los Angeles Chargers | 11-6 | 7 | Green Bay Packers | 9-7-1 |
Super Bowl LX is scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
