Updated 2026 NFL Playoff Bracket

After quite the “WILD” Wild Card Weekend, the NFL playoffs will waste no time getting right back into the action. It continues this weekend on Saturday and Sunday with the Divisional Round matchups. Let’s see if this round can bring the same energy as the first did. We’ll dive right into my preview and predictions for each contest.

Divisional Round

Bills at Broncos (BUF @ DEN)

In a cold-blooded heavyweight matchup, Buffalo will continue its playoff road trip, heading up into the clouds to Denver to take on the No. 1–seeded Broncos to open the Divisional Round on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2:30 PM MST on CBS, with Denver listed as a slight home favorite at –1.5.

The key for Buffalo will be keeping the ball in Josh Allen’s hands. He will need to be at his absolute best to give the Bills a chance. For Denver, the focus is simple: continue the defensive dominance they’ve shown all season and bring consistent pressure on Allen. Playmakers will need to step up, especially wide receiver Courtland Sutton, and 2nd year quarterback Bo Nix must do more than manage the game—he must be the difference.

This game could truly go either way, but with it taking place at Mile High, Denver makes the key plays late to end Buffalo’s chase for an elusive Super Bowl title.

Prediction: Broncos 23, Bills 20

Divisional Round

49ers at Seahawks (SF @ SEA)

Saturday night is ready to end with a BANG. At 6:00 PM MST on FOX, the red-hot San Francisco 49ers head north to face the No. 1–seeded Seattle Seahawks. These teams split the regular-season series 1–1, with Seattle most recently earning a 13–3 win in Week 18. The Seahawks enter as –7.5 favorites.

San Francisco is coming off a spectacular upset in Philadelphia and will carry that momentum into this matchup. However, Seattle is well-rested and healthy—something that cannot be said for the 49ers. Tight end George Kittle devastatingly ended his season with an Achilles tear during the Wild Card round.

This game comes down to two things: coaching and quarterback play. Both edges go to the road team. Kyle Shanahan has put on a masterclass this season, overcoming the loss of three top players to guide this team to heights few believed possible. Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald has had a fantastic year, but the missing piece is playoff experience. Quarterback Sam Darnold simply isn’t quite ready for this moment.

San Francisco’s playoff pedigree shines through.

Prediction: 49ers 24, Seahawks 17

Divisional Round

Texans at Patriots (HOU @ NE)

Sunday kicks off with a total spectacle as the New England Patriots host the Houston Texans at 1:00 PM MST on ESPN/ABC. New England holds the line at –3.

The Texans are coming off a dominant 30–6 blowout win over Pittsburgh on Monday night and look like a dangerous contender. Meanwhile, the Patriots are fresh off a 16–3 defensive statement against the Chargers on Sunday Night Football.

This game will hinge on how 2nd year quarterback Drake Maye responds to Houston’s elite pass rush. He was sacked five times last week—something that cannot happen again. For Houston, it comes down to their passing attack. With star wide receiver Nico Collins potentially out due to a concussion, others must step up, just as Christian Kirk did Monday night with eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown.

New England cornerback Christian Gonzalez is also questionable with a concussion. If he misses the game, it opens up opportunities for C.J. Stroud to exploit the secondary.

Expect a back-and-forth battle through three quarters before New England pulls away behind its home crowd in the final 15 minutes.

Prediction: Patriots 30, Texans 20

Divisional Round

Rams at Bears (LAR @ CHI)

To cap off what appears to be another thrilling weekend of football, the Los Angeles Rams travel to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football at 4:30 PM MST on NBC. The Rams are favored –3.5 on the road.

After a stunning game-winning drive in Carolina, Matthew Stafford is riding a serious wave of confidence—but he’s not alone. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams engineered an 18-point comeback in this very stadium last Saturday night, proving Chicago is a force to be reckoned with. Stafford had the chance to reflect on Williams and the challenge ahead:

The level of respect these two clearly have for each other should give you all the reasons to expect an elite game.

The outcome will be decided by which defense can get off the field on third down and avoid giving up explosive plays. This game can get away from Chicago quickly if they aren’t locked in, but after what transpired last weekend, you can bet the Bears will be firing on all cylinders at home.

Give me DA BEARS to pull off the big-time upset.

Prediction: Bears 30, Rams 24

Final Thoughts

Expect the unexpected—that has been the motto of these playoffs so far, and there’s no reason to think it won’t continue. Make sure to check in on these games all weekend long, because you won’t want to miss a single moment.

We’ll check back on the flip side next week to relive what happened, look ahead to what’s next, and continue our coverage of the NFL Playoffs, only on The Rocky Roar Newspaper.