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.
Updated January 16, 2026 – Wild Card Weekend (Jan. 10-13) delivered big chaos: four games decided by ≤4 points (most ever), epic comebacks (Bears 31-27 over Packers after trailing big), upsets (49ers 23-19 over Eagles), and routs (Texans 30-6 over Steelers, first road playoff win in franchise history). The field is now down to eight teams, with Divisional Round matchups locked for Jan. 17-18. This refresh incorporates post-Wild Card shifts in momentum, injuries, home edges, and consensus Super Bowl LX odds (from DraftKings/FanDuel/ESPN as of mid-January 15).
2026 NFL Playoff Power Rankings Methodology
The 2026 NFL Playoff power rankings evaluate all 8 teams. We rank the remaining eight teams’ realistic chances to win Super Bowl LX, incorporating Wild Card performances, Divisional matchups, and consensus odds (DraftKings/FanDuel as of Jan. 13). For the latest odds shifts and best bets, see our dedicated update: 2026 Super Bowl Odds Update: Post-Wild Card Contenders, Best Bets & Paths (Seahawks Still Favored, Bills/Patriots Rise – Jan 12).
Updated Power Rankings (Remaining 8 Teams)
Tier 1: Legit Super Bowl Threats
(Highest ceiling with rest/home advantages)
- Seattle Seahawks (NFC #1, Bye) ,- Still the clear favorite at +270 to +300 odds. Elite defense (No. 1 in points allowed at 17.2 PPG, top in rush defense and third-down stops) plus rest edge. Explosive offense with Sam Darnold and DK Metcalf/JSN. Rubber-match vs. banged-up 49ers in Divisional—strong home dominance. Experts (CBS, Sporting News) rank them No. 1 overall.
- Los Angeles Rams ,- Surged to +320 co-favorites after gritty 34-31 Wild Card road win (Puka Nacua clutch: 10 catches, 111 yards, 2 TDs). Stafford MVP-level lately (Rams lead NFL in PPG/ yards since late season). Road test at Bears, but proven playoff pedigree and McVay scheming keep them elite.
- Buffalo Bills ,- Big riser to +550-650 after 27-24 road rally over Jaguars (Josh Allen clutch heroics). Momentum high, but banged-up roster (secondary/offense) faces altitude test at Broncos. Still live AFC contender with Allen’s experience.
- New England Patriots ,- Rose sharply to +550-600 after dominant 16-3 Wild Card win (defense sacked Herbert 6x, held Chargers to FG). Drake Maye thriving under Vrabel; home edge vs. Texans. Complete team emerging as AFC front-runner in some models.
Tier 2: Conference Championship Contenders
(Upset potential but tougher paths)
5. Denver Broncos (AFC #1, Bye) ,- +650-800 odds. Elite defense (league-leading sacks, red-zone stops) and altitude home advantage vs. Bills. Slight dip in rankings due to Wild Card byes not tested yet, but clear path if they handle pressure. Experts back them in close games.
6. Houston Texans ,- Rose after blowout rout; C.J. Stroud + No. 1-ranked defense. +800-1200 odds. Road at Patriots tough, but momentum from first-ever road playoff W.
Tier 3: Dark Horses
(High-upside but lower floor)
7. Chicago Bears ,- +1200-1600 odds. Huge momentum from 31-27 comeback (Caleb Williams magic, late offense explosion). Hosting first home Divisional in years vs. Rams—crowd + young talent could spark run, but defense concerns linger.
8. San Francisco 49ers ,- Dropped to +1900 odds. Upset win over Eagles, but major injuries (George Kittle out for season—Achilles) and short rest/road at Seahawks cap ceiling. Talent remains (Purdy, defense), but experts see limited path in NFC.
Key Post-Wild Card Shifts
Storylines: NFC West dominance (Seahawks/Rams top odds), AFC chaos without Chiefs-era locks, young QBs (Maye, Williams, Nix, Stroud) shining, and home teams favored historically in Divisional.
Risers: Rams (gritty road W), Bills (Allen clutch), Patriots (defensive statement), Texans (dominant rout), Bears (comeback magic).
Decliners: 49ers (injuries/short week). Broncos/Seahawks hold steady with byes.
Super Bowl LX Odds Snapshot
(Consensus mid-Jan. 15, subject to movement)
- Seahawks: +270-300
- Rams: +320
- Bills: +550-650
- Patriots: +550-600
- Broncos: +650-800
- Texans: +800-1200
- Bears: +1200-1600
- 49ers: +1900
The Divisional Round starts Saturday—upsets could flip everything. Track paths with our printable brackets:
- Full Playoff Bracket (Wild Card through Super Bowl): Printable 2026 NFL Full Playoff Bracket: Wild Card Through Super Bowl Paths & TV Schedule
- Divisional Blank Projections: Printable 2026 NFL Divisional Playoff Bracket: Confirmed Matchups, Schedule, TV Broadcasts & Blank Projections PDF
Who rises next? Use our rankings and brackets for predictions/poo
