NEW YORK — The road to Super Bowl LX is officially paved. Following a chaotic Week 18 that saw the San Francisco 49ers stumble and the Chicago Bears surge, the NFL released the final 2025-26 postseason bracket Sunday night.
While the Seahawks and Broncos enjoy a bye week, 12 teams will battle this weekend to keep their seasons alive. The slate features a mix of fresh faces (welcome back, Patriots) and bitter rivalries.
AFC Wild Card Matchups
(7) Los Angeles Chargers at (2) New England Patriots
The Patriots return to the postseason elite with the No. 2 seed. They face a Chargers team that sneaked in but boasts a pass rush capable of wrecking game plans. New England’s discipline will be tested against L.A.’s high-variance attack.
(6) Buffalo Bills at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Allen and the Bills head to Duval County in arguably the most explosive matchup of the weekend. The Jaguars have been the “most complete team since mid-November,” but Allen’s postseason resume (25 TDs, 4 INTs) makes Buffalo a terrifying opponent in January.
(5) Houston Texans at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers
A classic AFC North-style grit fest. The Steelers won the division but draw a dangerous Texans squad led by C.J. Stroud. Expect a low-scoring, physical brawl at Acrisure Stadium.
NFC Wild Card Matchups
(7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Chicago Bears
The NFL’s oldest rivalry takes center stage. The Bears (No. 2 seed) swept the regular-season series, but beating a division rival three times is the hardest task in sports. Soldier Field will be shaking for this one.
(6) San Francisco 49ers at (3) Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET
Two teams limping into the dance. The 49ers are coming off a 173-yard offensive dud against Seattle, while the Eagles squandered the No. 2 seed by resting starters. Despite the records, this feels like an NFC Championship game played two rounds too early.
(5) Los Angeles Rams at (4) Carolina Panthers
Don’t let the seeding fool you. The Rams finished the season ranked No. 1 in offensive efficiency (EPA/play). They travel to Carolina to face the surprise NFC South champs in a game many pundits are already circling as an upset.
What They Said
“We are fully aware our failure is pretty much guaranteed — one or more of these prognostications will be upended by some of that delicious chaos that made 2025 so exhilarating.”
— NFL.com Editorial Team
Playoff Implications
The stakes are simple: Win or go home. For the No. 1 seeded Seahawks and Broncos, the week off provides crucial rest. For the Rams and Bills, the path is harder, but their ceilings are championship-level. The winner of the 49ers-Eagles tilt will likely have to travel to Chicago or Seattle, setting up a brutal road to New Orleans.
