With the 2025 regular season in the books and Wild Card Weekend looming (January 10-12, 2026), the playoff field is set-and it’s wide open without the Chiefs dominating the AFC. We have the 2026 NFL Playoff Power Rankings here for you. You can use this to help navigate your way through your Playoff picks and more.
2026 NFL Playoff Power Rankings Methodology
The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks secured No. 1 seeds and byes, while surprise teams like the Jaguars and Panthers snuck in as division winners.The 2026 NFL Playoff power rankings evaluate all 14 teams’ Super Bowl LX chances (February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium), factoring in seeding, form, quarterback play, defense, and matchup edges. Consensus odds reflect a balanced field, with no runaway favorite.
Top Contenders (Tier 1: Legit Super Bowl Threats)
- Seattle Seahawks (No. 1 NFC, Bye)
Home-field advantage, explosive offense led by Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, plus a revitalized defense. They’re rested and dangerous-favorites for a reason. - Denver Broncos (No. 1 AFC, Bye)
Elite defense (top-5 in yards and points allowed) carries Bo Nix’s efficient play. Home-field through the AFC playoffs makes them the conference’s clearest path to Santa Clara. - Los Angeles Rams (No. 5 NFC)
Matthew Stafford’s experience, Puka Nacua’s breakout, and Sean McVay’s scheming make them a proven playoff machine. Favorable Wild Card at Carolina could spark a deep run. - Philadelphia Eagles (No. 3 NFC)
Defending champs with Saquon Barkley and a stout Vic Fangio defense. Hosting the 49ers is tough, but Jalen Hurts in January is money. - New England Patriots (No. 2 AFC)
Drake Maye’s rookie surge turned them into contenders. Strong late-season form and home Wild Card vs. Chargers give them upside.
Solid Playoff Teams (Tier 2: Conference Championship Potential)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 3 AFC)
Trevor Lawrence’s career year and Liam Coen’s offense clicked late. Hosting Buffalo is winnable-dark horse to rep the AFC. - Houston Texans (No. 5 AFC)
C.J. Stroud’s playoff debut at Pittsburgh could be electric. Balanced attack makes them a threat if they escape Wild Card. - Buffalo Bills (No. 6 AFC)
Josh Allen’s magic is always a factor, but road at Jacksonville tests them early. - Chicago Bears (No. 2 NFC)
Young roster overachieved, but reliant on big plays. Hosting Packers rivalry game is juicy. - San Francisco 49ers (No. 6 NFC)
Injuries hampered them, but talent (Purdy, elite defense) could upset Eagles on the road.
Dark Horses & Long Shots (Tier 3: Upset Capability But Limited Ceiling)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 4 AFC)
Dramatic AFC North clinch, but limited passing attack caps them. Hosting Texans is their shot. - Los Angeles Chargers (No. 7 AFC)
Justin Herbert vs. rookie Maye in New England-could steal one, but road warrior path is brutal. - Green Bay Packers (No. 7 NFC)
Injuries (including to key players) and a skid dim hopes. Road at Bears is tough. - Carolina Panthers (No. 4 NFC)
Weakest division winner (8-9 record). Hosting Rams is a mismatch-likely one-and-done.
Super Bowl LX Dark Horses to Watch
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Late surge + home playoff game = sneaky AFC rep potential.
- Los Angeles Rams: Proven in postseason; Stafford/McVay duo thrives under bright lights.
- Houston Texans: Stroud’s poise could carry them far in a chaotic AFC.
The bracket reseeds after Wild Card, so upsets could flip everything. Who’s your pick to hoist the Lombardi? Download our printable 2026 NFL Playoff Bracket to track the action. You can also get a blank Playoff bracket here too. Stay tuned for Wild Card previews and predictions.
