The NFL playoff schedule has been announced, and the Los Angeles Rams take on the Carolina Panthers to begin the postseason on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern. The schedule begins with a double-header before an enticing triple-header on Sunday, January 11.
Week 18 saw plenty of excitement as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were massive New Orleans Saints fans against the Atlanta Falcons. A Saints’ win would have allowed the Bucs to clinch the NFC South and secure the No. 4 seed as the final team in the conference to reach the postseason.
But it was a Falcons’ win over the Saints which created a three-way tie atop the NFC South and the Panthers hold the tiebreaker. A late Saints’ interception would prove to seal the Bucs’ fate.
This scenario allowed Carolina, not Tampa Bay, to win the division and make the NFL playoffs.
Here’s a look at the 2026 NFL playoff schedule and bracket.
NFL Playoff Schedule: Wild Card Round Begins on Saturday, January 10
Here’s a look at the NFL playoff schedule (via FBSchedules.com) which begins on Saturday, January 10. All times listed are in Eastern.
As a reminder, there is no Monday Night Football game on January 5. Additionally, there is no Thursday Night Football matchup on January 8.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
| January 10 | Rams vs. Panthers | 4:30 p.m. | FOX |
| January 10 | Packers vs. Bears | 8 p.m. | Prime |
| January 11 | Bills vs. Jaguars | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| January 11 | 49ers vs. Eagles | 4:30 p.m. | FOX |
| January 11 | Chargers vs. Patriots | 8 p.m. | NBC |
| January 12 | Texans at Steelers | 8 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| January 17 | Divisional Round | 4:30 p.m. | TBD |
| January 17 | Divisional Round | 8:15 p.m. | TBD |
| January 18 | Divisional Round | 3 p.m. | TBD |
| January 18 | Divisional Round | 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: NFC Wild Card Games
Here’s a look at the updated NFC playoff bracket. Despite losing in Week 18, the Chicago Bears were able to secure the No. 2 seed as the Philadelphia Eagles also lost and will be the No. 3 seed.
The Bears take on the No. 7 Green Bay Packers, while the Eagles host the No. 6 San Francisco 49ers. Finally, it is the No. 4 Panthers hosting the No. 5 Los Angeles Rams.
The Seattle Seahawks have clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC and get a first-round bye. Seattle will play the highest remaining seed in the Divisional Round as the NFL re-seeds the bracket after the wild-card round.
| Wild Card | Divisional Round | NFC Championship | Super Bowl |
| 7. Packers | |||
| 2. Bears | |||
| 6.49ers | |||
| NFC Championship | |||
| January 25 | |||
| 3. Eagles | |||
| Super Bowl | |||
| 5.Rams | Feb. 8, San Francisco | ||
| 1. Seahawks | (Will play highest seed) | ||
| 4. Panthers |
NFL Playoff Bracket 2026: AFC Wild Card Games
Here’s a look at the AFC playoff bracket following the Steelers’ thrilling win over the Ravens. Pittsburgh secured the final playoff spot and the No. 4 seed.
As the No. 1 seed, the Denver Broncos secured a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFL playoffs. As a reminder, the NFL re-seeds the bracket after the wild-card round, and Denver will play the highest remaining seed in the divisional round.
| Wild Card | Divisional Round | AFC Championship | Super Bowl |
| 7.Chargers | |||
| 2. Patriots | |||
| 6.Bills | |||
| AFC Championship | |||
| January 25 | |||
| 3. Jaguars | |||
| Super Bowl | |||
| 5. Texans | Feb. 8, San Francisco | ||
| 1. Broncos | (Will play highest seed) | ||
| 4. Steelers |
NFL Playoff Schedule & Bracket 2026: AFC & NFC Wild Card Games Updated After Week 18