Predicting the 2026 NFL playoffs

It’s the first full week of January. That means the NFL playoffs are right around the corner.

I’m not sure if I like the 14-team system used by the NFL, or the 12-team system used by the MLB. Then again, I’ve got my issues with how the NHL and NBA playoffs work, as well. I guess I’ll stop myself before I go on another rant.

For each team involved, I’ll (attempt to) sum up their regular season in one word and then give my take on the matchup.

Here are the first-round games in the 2026 NFL playoffs:

AFC: The Denver Broncos (14-3) clinched the #1 seed and a bye. Denver had as strong a season as could be expected. The word to describe them is satisfying, because that’s what watching them play this season has felt like, in the best sense of the word. I’m not even a Broncos fan. They await the winner of:

#6 Buffalo Bills vs. #3 Jacksonville Jaguars - Jan 11 @ 1pm.

The Bills got through this season mostly because of Josh Allen. Yeah, that’s the word. They don’t have a strong WR room and their offensive line isn’t the best in the NFL. But the talent of Josh Allen makes up most of that.

For the Jaguars, they did more than just make some noise this season, to use an overused cliche. The word is premature. There were no expectations for the team to be this good this soon with Trevor Lawrence, not to mention a first-year head coach in Liam Coen. Finishing 13-4 (one win better than division rivals Houston Texans) means something to a tem looking to pull off a massive Wild Card win. But the noise the Jaguars did make made everyone aware of their intentions to go as far as they can this postseason, ahead of schedule.

#7 Los Angeles Chargers vs. #2 New England Patriots - Jan. 11 @ 8pm.

The Chargers could, and likely should, have won more games this season. Rocky seems apropriate for a team that lost games to the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants and Washington Commanders.

The Patriots won their division but benefitted from a relatively softer schedule than most other playoff teams. Tough to find an adequate word for a team that beat the Bills but also lost to the Las Vegas Raiders in week one. Iffy comes to mind when I think of their chances to progress through the playoffs.

#5 Houston Texans vs. #4 Pittsburgh Steelers - Jan 12 @ 8:15pm.

The Texans seem poised to run right through the Steelers (maybe quite literally). This could have been a salivating Baltimore Ravens Wild Card game for Houston fans. But the Texans must be energized to see the Steelers line up across from them.

The Steelers benefitted from a Ravens’ mssed field goal attempt. Lucky might be the best word. I’m sure Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin would disagree with me, though.

NFC: The Seattle Seahawks (14-3) clinched the #1 seed and a bye.

Sam Darnold. What a story his carer has been the last two seasons. Let’s just hope, for his own and for Seattle’s sake, that the 2026 playoffs are kinder to him than the previous year’s postseason. But not enough can be said about Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the season he put together. The Seahawks’ defense is as good as any in the league and, regardless of opponent, they’ll be ready to stifle any offense.

#5 Los Angeles Rams vs. #4 Carolina Panthers - Jan 10 @ 4:30pm.

The Rams have looked as good as any team this season. Check that. They’ve often looked like the best NFL team in 2025. They showed signs of vulnerability late in the season, though, (one-point OT loss to the Seahawks in week 16 and a three-point loss to the Atlanta Falcons in week 17) that may give the Panthers hope.

This might be the most fun game this weekend. No, I’m not being sarcastic. I’m almost defnitely wrong, but the Panthers could make this game interesting. That’s what the playoffs stand to gain, should the Panthers pull off the upset. The Panthers making the postseason itself was definitely of much interest to anyone who loves sports. Getting further would only add to that. That’s a big ask, though.

#7 Green Bay Packers vs. #2 Chicago Bears - Jan 10 @ 8pm.

A divisional knock-out game AND a week 16 rematch. Get out the popcorn. For what it’s worth, the Bears won that game in OT. The Packers, minus Micah Parsons, will be out to disprove the doubters. The Packers did win a week 14 match, though.

Head coach Ben Johnson helped Caleb Williams massively this season. They even boast a week 13 win over the defending Super Bowl champions, so momentum will be key to them winning this elimination game.

#6 San Francisco 49ers vs. #3 Philadelphia Eagles - Jan 11 @ 4:30pm.

This game honestly feels like the most difficult to predict. Not only because I’m an unapologetic Eagles fan. It just feels like Brock Purdy is always out to prove to himself that he belongs in the playoffs. It can be argued that the team is likely in the same boat, as they’ve failed to deliver year after year.

Saving the best for last (not sorry), the Eagles ended the season winning three of their last four games. The week 18 loss to the Washington Commanders shouldn’t really count as the Eagles rested starters. Despite a roller-coaster season, the Birds should be careful. The 49ers winning could propel them into a much-needed deep playoff run.

Enjoy the games this weekend!