The NFL playoff schedule continues today with a Monday Night Football game on January 12, 2026, to conclude the wild card round. As the divisional round schedule gets solidified, the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Houston Texans tonight at 8:15 p.m. Eastern on ESPN and ABC.
The matchup marks the final wild card game in what has been a thrilling start to the NFL playoffs. Up next, there are two games to kickoff the divisional round on Saturday, January 17 and an additional two matchups on Sunday, January 18.
The Seattle Seahawks host NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, January 17. In the AFC, the Denver Broncos take on the Buffalo Bills. Both games are on Saturday, January 17, but the times have not been announced.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming NFL playoff schedule.
NFL Playoff Schedule 2026: Divisional Round Takes Center Stage
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
| January 12 | Texans at Steelers | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| January 17 | Bills vs. Broncos | 4:30 or 8 p.m. | TBD |
| January 17 | 49ers vs. Seahawks | 4:30 or 8 p.m. | TBD |
| January 18 | Rams vs. Bears | 3 or 6:30 p.m. | TBD |
| January 18 | Texans/Steelers vs. Patriots | 3 or 6:30 p.m. | TBD |
| January 25 | AFC Championship | 3 p.m. | CBS |
| January 25 | NFC Championship | 6:30 p.m. | FOX |
| February 8 | Super Bowl 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | NBC |
NFL Playoff Bracket 2026: AFC Divisional Round Games
Here’s a look at the AFC playoff bracket heading into the divisional round following the wild card matchups. The divisional round resumes with the Bills-Broncos game on Saturday, January 17.
| Wild Card | Divisional Round | AFC Championship | Super Bowl |
| 7.Chargers | |||
| PIT/HOU | |||
| 2. Patriots | |||
| 2. Patriots | |||
| 6.Bills | |||
| AFC Championship | |||
| January 25 | |||
| 3. Jaguars | |||
| 6. Bills | Super Bowl | ||
| 5. Texans | Feb. 8, San Francisco | ||
| 1. Broncos | |||
| 4. Steelers |
NFL Playoff Bracket 2026: NFC Divisional Round Games
Here’s an updated NFC playoff bracket following the wild card games. The divisional round begins on Saturday, January 17, as the Seahawks host the 49ers.
| Wild Card | Divisional Round | NFC Championship | Super Bowl |
| 7. Packers | |||
| 5. Rams | |||
| 2. Bears | |||
| 2. Bears | |||
| 6.49ers | |||
| NFC Championship | |||
| January 25 | |||
| 3. Eagles | |||
| 6. 49ers | Super Bowl | ||
| 5.Rams | Feb. 8, San Francisco | ||
| 1. Seahawks | |||
| 4. Panthers |
Is There a ‘ManningCast’ Tonight for the Texans-Steelers Playoff Game?
Yes, fans can watch the traditional TV broadcast of the Texans-Steelers game on both ABC and ESPN. Fans can also opt for the “ManningCast” with Peyton Manning and Eli Manning providing commentary as well as interviews during the Texans-Steelers matchup on ESPN2.
NFL Playoff Odds: The Broncos Are a Home Underdog vs. Bills in Divisional Round
The Steelers are three-point home underdogs versus the Texans in tonight’s game, per DraftKings. Seattle opened as a seven-point favorite in the team’s rematch against San Francisco.
Despite being the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the Broncos are a 1.5-point underdog against the Bills. Speaking of home dogs, the Bears are also 3.5-point underdogs against the Rams.
Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams has already proven that the Bears cannot be counted out.
“We understand that it’s 60 minutes of football,” Williams told Amazon after the Bears’ improbable comeback over the Packers, per Sports Illustrated. “We understand and know who we are. We understand what this means to the city.
“We understand what this means to the organization. We also understand what this means to us. So you keep going, keep going, keep fighting. And when the clock hits zero, you’ll look up and see who wins.”
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