The 2025-26 NFL season concluded with a historic postseason run that culminated in Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks emerged as champions, securing their second franchise Lombardi Trophy by defeating the New England Patriots 29–13 on February 8, 2026. This postseason was defined by the dominance of the No. 1 seeds throughout January, though the journey featured significant upsets and weather-impacted classics that reshaped the league's hierarchy.

Final NFL Playoff Bracket for the 2025-26 Season

The 2026 playoffs followed the established 14-team format. Seven teams from each conference—the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC)—qualified based on regular-season performance. Only the top-seeded team in each conference earned a first-round bye, a factor that proved decisive for the eventual finalists.

AFC Seeding and Standings

  1. Denver Broncos (14-3) - Clinched home-field advantage and the lone bye.
  2. New England Patriots (14-3) - AFC East champions.
  3. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4) - AFC South champions.
  4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) - AFC North champions.
  5. Houston Texans (12-5) - Wild Card.
  6. Buffalo Bills (12-5) - Wild Card.
  7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) - Wild Card.

NFC Seeding and Standings

  1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3) - Clinched home-field advantage and the lone bye.
  2. Chicago Bears (11-6) - NFC North champions.
  3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) - NFC East champions.
  4. Carolina Panthers (8-9) - NFC South champions.
  5. Los Angeles Rams (12-5) - Wild Card.
  6. San Francisco 49ers (12-5) - Wild Card.
  7. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) - Wild Card.

Wild Card Weekend Game Summaries

The opening round of the 2026 playoffs saw a mix of veteran poise and young talent making their mark. Six games were played from January 10 to January 12, 2026.

How did the NFC Wild Card matchups end?

In the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams survived a high-scoring thriller against the Carolina Panthers, winning 34–31. Despite Carolina's attempts to utilize home-field advantage, the Rams' veteran experience in late-game situations allowed them to pull ahead in the final minutes.

The Chicago Bears, led by Caleb Williams, faced their bitter rivals, the Green Bay Packers. In a defensive struggle, the Bears secured a 31–27 victory. This game underscored the resurgence of the Chicago offense, which managed to capitalize on red-zone opportunities that the Packers missed.

Perhaps the most significant result in the NFC was the San Francisco 49ers' upset over the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. The 49ers' defense stifled Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' run game, winning 23–19 in Philadelphia. This loss marked the end of the Eagles' hopes for a repeat title.

AFC Wild Card results and analysis

In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills managed a narrow 27–24 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville entered the game on an eight-game winning streak, but the Bills' ability to force turnovers in the fourth quarter ended the Jaguars' momentum.

The New England Patriots displayed total dominance over the Los Angeles Chargers, winning 16–3. Drake Maye's efficient management of the game, combined with a defense that restricted the Chargers to just a single field goal, signaled that the Patriots were a serious contender.

Finally, the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Houston Texans on Monday night. Despite Houston entering with a nine-game win streak, Pittsburgh’s physical style of play and Mike Tomlin’s postseason preparation led to a 30–6 blowout, sending the Steelers to the next round.

Divisional Round Breakthroughs

As the field narrowed to eight teams, the No. 1 seeds entered the fray. The Divisional Round took place on January 17 and 18, 2026.

AFC Divisional Round: The Denver Powerhouse

The Denver Broncos hosted the Buffalo Bills in a game that lived up to the hype. Denver’s defense, ranked No. 1 in the league, faced a heavy challenge but ultimately prevailed 33–30. However, the victory came at a massive cost as quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury, a moment that would drastically alter the AFC Championship outlook.

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots continued their march by defeating the Houston Texans 28–16. The Patriots' balanced attack proved too much for the young Texans' defense to handle over four quarters.

NFC Divisional Round: Seattle’s Statement

The Seattle Seahawks made a massive statement by dismantling the San Francisco 49ers 41–6. Following their bye week, Seattle appeared faster and more physical than their division rivals. Sam Darnold's connection with his wide receivers was flawless, marking one of the most lopsided scores in recent divisional history.

The Los Angeles Rams pulled off a road upset against the Chicago Bears, winning 20–17. In a battle of field goals and field position, the Rams' ability to sustain a late fourth-quarter drive allowed them to kick the winning field goal as time expired, setting up an all-NFC West Conference Championship.

Conference Championship Recaps

The battle for the Super Bowl berths took place on January 25, 2026. These games featured starkly different conditions and storylines.

AFC Championship: The Snow Globe at Mile High

In a game that will be remembered for its brutal conditions, the New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos 10–7. Following the loss of Bo Nix, Denver started Jarrett Stidham. While Stidham led an early touchdown drive, the offense stalled as a massive blizzard descended upon Denver in the second half.

The Patriots' Drake Maye managed the conditions better, leading a 16-play drive that consumed nearly ten minutes of the third quarter to set up the go-ahead field goal. A late interception by Christian Gonzalez sealed the win for New England, sending them to their 12th Super Bowl appearance.

NFC Championship: Seahawks Edge the Rams

The Seattle Seahawks hosted the Los Angeles Rams in a high-stakes divisional rematch. Seattle’s No. 2 ranked defense faced the Rams’ No. 1 ranked offense. The Seahawks took an early 7-0 lead and never relinquished it. Despite a spirited comeback attempt by Matthew Stafford, a muffed punt by the Rams in the third quarter set up a Sam Darnold touchdown pass to Jake Bobo. Seattle held on for a 31–27 victory, securing the NFC title.

Super Bowl LX: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots

On February 8, 2026, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, hosted the milestone 60th Super Bowl. The matchup pitted the revitalized New England Patriots against the dominant Seattle Seahawks.

Game Summary and Key Statistics

The Seahawks' defense was the story of the game. They held the Patriots to just 13 points, effectively neutralizing New England's run game and forcing Drake Maye into difficult passing windows.

  • First Quarter: Seattle opened with a field goal and a defensive stop.
  • Second Quarter: Seattle scored two touchdowns, one via a long pass and another on a short run following a turnover. New England managed a late field goal to make it 17–3 at halftime.
  • Third Quarter: The teams traded field goals, but Seattle’s pass rush began to overwhelm the Patriots' offensive line.
  • Fourth Quarter: A late touchdown by Seattle put the game out of reach. New England added a late score, but the final whistle blew with Seattle winning 29–13.

Who was the MVP of Super Bowl LX?

While the official MVP honors often go to the quarterback, the entire Seattle defensive front was credited with the victory. They recorded five sacks and two interceptions, disrupting the Patriots' rhythm from the opening whistle. Sam Darnold's efficient play (over 250 yards and 2 touchdowns) ensured the Seahawks capitalized on the defensive momentum.

Post-Season Statistical Leaders

The 2026 postseason saw several players elevate their game on the biggest stage:

  • Passing Yards: Drake Maye (Patriots) led all postseason quarterbacks in total yardage due to playing an extra game in the Wild Card round.
  • Rushing Yards: The Seahawks' committee backfield combined for the most efficient ground attack in the playoffs.
  • Defensive Impact: The Denver Broncos maintained the highest "Defensive Impact Metric" despite their exit in the AFC Championship, followed closely by Seattle.

Summary of the 2026 NFL Postseason Results

The 2026 NFL playoffs reaffirmed the value of the No. 1 seed and the "defense wins championships" mantra. While the AFC was thrown into chaos by the injury to Bo Nix, the New England Patriots showed remarkable resilience to reach the final. However, they were no match for the complete Seattle Seahawks team, which dominated every phase of the game in Super Bowl LX.

Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 NFL Bracket

Which team had the No. 1 seed in the 2026 playoffs? The Denver Broncos held the No. 1 seed in the AFC, while the Seattle Seahawks held the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Both teams finished the regular season with a 14-3 record.

Where was Super Bowl 60 played? Super Bowl LX was played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026.

Who won the 2026 NFL Championship? The Seattle Seahawks won the championship, defeating the New England Patriots 29–13.

How many teams made the NFL playoffs in 2026? A total of 14 teams made the playoffs—seven from the AFC and seven from the NFC.

Did any Wild Card teams make the Super Bowl in 2026? No. Both the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots were division winners (Seeds 1 and 2, respectively).