The dust has settled on perhaps the most chaotic opening weekend in postseason history, and the NFL Divisional Round 2026 is officially set. Following a Wild Card slate that delivered a record-breaking 12 fourth-quarter lead changes, the surviving teams are now just two wins away from a trip to Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl LX. The bracket features a blend of perennial contenders and surging young squads, headlined by the top-seeded Denver Broncos hosting the battle-tested Buffalo Bills and the Chicago Bears looking to defend Soldier Field against the high-powered Los Angeles Rams.
Historic Wild Card Weekend Reshapes the Race
Before looking ahead, it is impossible to ignore the seismic events of the last few days. The NFL Wild Card recap for the 2025-26 season will be studied for years to come. Fans witnessed a level of parity rarely seen, with nail-biting finishes defining the slate. The Chicago Bears’ stunning 31-27 comeback victory over their arch-rival Green Bay Packers—fueled by Caleb Williams’ late-game heroics—epitomized the drama. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams survived a shootout with the Carolina Panthers, winning 34-31 to punch their ticket to the next round.
Now, the intensity ramps up. The remaining eight teams are vying not just for conference supremacy, but for a spot in history at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara. With the NFL playoff bracket solidified, let’s break down the marquee matchups defining this weekend.
AFC Spotlight: Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos
One of the most anticipated clashes of the NFL Divisional Round 2026 takes place at Empower Field at Mile High, where the No. 1 seed Denver Broncos host the No. 6 seed Buffalo Bills. This matchup offers a fascinating contrast in styles and trajectories.
The Broncos, led by sophomore sensation Bo Nix, secured the AFC’s top seed and the crucial first-round bye with a dominant 14-3 regular season. Sean Payton’s squad has turned Denver into a fortress, boasting a defense that led the league in sacks. For Denver, this game is about validating their regular-season dominance and exorcising the ghosts of playoffs past. The rest advantage is significant, especially against a Buffalo team coming off a physical road win.
On the other sideline, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills continue to prove their resilience. After a gritty 27-24 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round, the Bills head to the altitude of Denver with momentum but also with bruises. The Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos narrative is thick with history; Buffalo eliminated Denver in the Wild Card round just last year. However, the roles are reversed this time, with Denver enjoying home-field advantage and a rested roster. Can Allen’s superhero playmaking overcome a fresh Broncos pass rush?
NFC Spotlight: Chicago Bears vs LA Rams
In the NFC, all eyes will be on Soldier Field Sunday night as the No. 2 seed Chicago Bears host the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Rams. This game features two of the league’s most explosive offenses operating at peak efficiency.
The Bears are riding an emotional high after finally overcoming the Packers in a playoff setting. Quarterback Caleb Williams has lived up to the hype, displaying poise beyond his years in clutch moments. Chicago’s defense, which tightened up significantly in the second half against Green Bay, will need to replicate that performance against a veteran quarterback.
The Chicago Bears vs LA Rams matchup pits Williams against the seasoned Matthew Stafford, who continues to defy age. The Rams’ offense, featuring the dynamic Puka Nacua, shredded the Panthers’ secondary last week. However, the cold conditions in Chicago and the raucous atmosphere of Soldier Field present a different challenge. The key battle will likely be in the trenches; if the Bears’ defensive front can disrupt Stafford’s rhythm, Chicago’s dream season could continue to the NFC Championship.
Rest of the Bracket: Patriots, Texans, Seahawks, and 49ers
While the Broncos and Bears headline the slate, the other two divisional games are equally compelling. In the AFC, the No. 2 seed New England Patriots host the No. 5 seed Houston Texans. It’s a battle of young quarterback phenoms, with New England’s Drake Maye facing off against Houston’s C.J. Stroud. The Texans dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 to advance, while the Patriots stifled the Chargers 16-3, setting up a classic offense-vs-defense showdown in Foxborough.
Over in the NFC West, a bitter rivalry is renewed as the No. 1 seed Seattle Seahawks host the No. 6 seed San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers upset the Philadelphia Eagles 23-19 on the road and now head to Lumen Field to face a rested Seahawks team that claimed the conference’s top spot. Playoff games between these division rivals are historically physical, low-scoring affairs, and analysts expect nothing different this Saturday.
NFL Playoff Schedule 2026: Divisional Round
For fans planning their weekend, here is the confirmed NFL playoff schedule 2026 for the Divisional Round:
- Saturday, Jan. 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
- Saturday, Jan. 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 p.m. ET, FOX)
- Sunday, Jan. 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC)
- Sunday, Jan. 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
Super Bowl LX Predictions and The Road Ahead
As the field narrows to eight, Super Bowl LX predictions are shifting. The Broncos and Seahawks remain the favorites due to home-field advantage, but the resilience shown by the Bills and Bears makes them dangerous underdogs. If the Wild Card round taught us anything, it’s that no lead is safe and seeding guarantees nothing. Whether it’s Bo Nix’s efficiency, Caleb Williams’ magic, or Josh Allen’s grit, the quarterback play this weekend will determine who inches closer to lifting the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara.
