With Wild Card Weekend underway (kicking off January 10-12, 2026), the NFL playoff picture is taking shape. The Denver Broncos (AFC No. 1) and Seattle Seahawks (NFC No. 1) earned byes and will host in the Divisional Round. The NFL re-seeds after Wild Card, so the No. 1 seeds face the lowest-remaining seeds. This 2026 NFL Divisional Round preview breaks down potential Divisional Round matchups (January 17-18, 2026), key storylines, bold predictions, and includes scenarios for upsets. Dates/times/TV will be announced post-Wild Card.
Current Wild Card Matchups
AFC:
- No. 7 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 2 New England Patriots
- No. 6 Buffalo Bills at No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars
- No. 5 Houston Texans at No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers
- Bye: No. 1 Denver Broncos
NFC:
- No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Chicago Bears
- No. 6 San Francisco 49ers at No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles
- No. 5 Los Angeles Rams at No. 4 Carolina Panthers
- Bye: No. 1 Seattle Seahawks
2026 NFL Divisional Round Preview
Here’s your 2026 NFL Divisional Round preview. All of these can change of course if any of the Wild Card Round of games see big surprises.
Potential AFC Divisional Round Matchups & Predictions
The Broncos host the lowest-seeded Wild Card winner. The other game pairs the remaining two highest seeds.
Likely Scenarios:
- If higher seeds hold: Broncos vs. Chargers (No. 7 lowest), then Patriots vs. Steelers/Jaguars winner.
- Upset alerts: Texans or Bills could emerge as lowest seed.
Key Potential Games:
- Denver Broncos vs. Lowest Remaining Seed (e.g., Chargers, Texans, or Bills)
Prediction: Broncos advance. Bo Nix’s mobility + elite defense overwhelms road teams. Broncos 27, Chargers 20 (if LAC advances). - Highest Remaining Seeds Clash (e.g., Patriots vs. Jaguars or Steelers)
Prediction: Patriots’ late surge continues at home. Drake Maye shines in rookie playoff run.
Bold AFC Prediction: Texans upset Steelers, then shock Broncos as lowest seed—CJ Stroud’s playoff debut sparks Houston run.
Potential NFC Divisional Round Matchups & Predictions
Seahawks host lowest remaining (likely No. 7 Packers if they upset Bears).
Key Potential Games:
- Seattle Seahawks vs. Lowest Remaining Seed (e.g., Packers, Rams, or 49ers)
Prediction: Seahawks dominate at home. Mike Macdonald’s defense stifles visitors. Seahawks 31, Packers 17 (rivalry trilogy ends). - Other Clash (e.g., Bears vs. Eagles or Panthers upset winner)
Prediction: Eagles defense rebounds vs. 49ers; Jalen Hurts repeats Super Bowl magic.
Bold NFC Prediction: Rams roll over Panthers (Stafford experience too much), then upset Seahawks on road—LA’s balanced attack heads to Championship.
Updated Printable Divisional Paths Bracket
Here’s a text-based view of potential paths (print or screenshot for your bracket challenge):
AFC Divisional Round Scenarios
| Seed/Path | Potential Opponent | Prediction Winner |
| No. 1 Denver Broncos | Lowest seed (Chargers/Texans/Bills) | Broncos |
| Highest remaining | Next highest (e.g., Patriots vs. Jaguars/Steelers) | Patriots |
NFC Divisional Round Scenarios
| Seed/Path | Potential Opponent | Prediction Winner |
| No. 1 Seattle Seahawks | Lowest seed (Packers/Rams/49ers) | Seahawks |
| Highest remaining | Next highest (e.g., Bears vs. Eagles/Panthers) | Eagles |
You can download our blank NFL playoff bracket here or the printable NFL Playoff Bracket (complete) here to draw up your own scenarios to.
Final Thoughts: Super Bowl LX Dark Horses
- AFC: Broncos (home-field edge) or Bills (Josh Allen magic).
- NFC: Rams (hot with Stafford/Adams/Nacua) or Eagles (defending champs).
Wild Card Weekend sets the stage—upsets could flip everything! Check back after January 12 for confirmed Divisional matchups.
