The 2026 NFL Divisional Round is locked in after a wild, nerve-jangling wild-card weekend. Five games already delivered drama — and more is coming. With the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, and Buffalo Bills all advancing, only one AFC slot remains, to be decided when the Houston Texans visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 12. The next stop is Jan. 17-18, when the final eight take the stage with Super Bowl dreams on the line.

Here’s how the bracket looks, what it means, and why this weekend’s results set up an irresistible slate of heavyweight clashes.

NFC bracket: rivals, rematches, and rising stars

The NFC delivered chaos and clarity in equal measure. The Bears knocked out the Packers, 31-27, another statement win in a resurgent year. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams continues to change Chicago’s ceiling, and that 31-point output hints at a balanced, brave offense ready for the cold-weather grind.

Right behind them, the Rams edged the Panthers, 34-31, in a thriller that showcased their late-game poise. Los Angeles plays fast and fearless, and that narrow escape underscores a team comfortable living on the edge.

The 49ers capped the conference’s story by beating the defending champions, the Eagles, 23-19. San Francisco’s ability to win a tight game on the road says plenty about their defense and big-game habits. It also sets up a classic West rivalry in the next round.

• (6) 49ers at (1) Seahawks — Jan. 17
• (5) Rams at (2) Bears — Jan. 18

49ers-Seahawks is a rivalry built on field position, defensive swagger, and small details. Seattle has the week’s most valuable asset — rest — but San Francisco’s experience in crunch time is a real equalizer. Rams-Bears is a stylistic clash: Chicago’s tough front versus L.A.’s tempo and space. If the weather turns in Chicago, the Bears’ ground game and defense could become the headline.

“If Caleb Williams looks this calm again, Soldier Field might be his stage.”

AFC picture: Bills surge, Patriots wait on Texans-Steelers

The AFC bracket is nearly complete. Buffalo outlasted Jacksonville, 27-24, with Josh Allen again playing the role of closer. That win sets up a demanding trip to Denver, where the altitude and the top-seeded Broncos’ balance have worn down visiting teams all year.

New England rolled past the Chargers, 16-3, behind a stifling defense and efficient work from rookie Drake Maye. It was a throwback Patriots win: control the tempo, win field position, and let the defense dictate the terms. Their opponent will be decided by the Texans-Steelers wild card finale on Jan. 12.

• (6) Bills at (1) Broncos — Jan. 17
• Texans/Steelers winner at (2) Patriots — Jan. 18

For Buffalo, the challenge is clear: handle the Broncos’ pace and the thin air while keeping Allen upright on key downs. For New England, the advantage is structure — a defense that travels and a rookie quarterback who has not flinched in the moment. Whether it’s the physical Steelers or the young, fearless Texans, the Patriots will try to shape the game into a four-quarter test of patience.

“Bills-Broncos feels like a heavyweight chess match at 5,280 feet.”

When to watch: dates, times, and TV windows

The Divisional Round kicks off Jan. 17-18 with flexible kickoff windows across both days. Typical slots are Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. ET, and Sunday at 3 p.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET. TV assignments will be announced after Texans-Steelers is complete.

Looking ahead, the AFC Championship is set for Sunday, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. ET on CBS, followed by the NFC Championship at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX. Super Bowl LX is locked for Sunday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with Bad Bunny headlining the halftime show.

• Divisional Round: Jan. 17-18 (TV TBA after Texans-Steelers)
• AFC Championship: Jan. 25, 3 p.m. ET (CBS)
• NFC Championship: Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
• Super Bowl LX: Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC), Levi’s Stadium

How the wild card shaped the bracket

Every result mattered. Chicago’s 31-27 win over Green Bay confirmed the Bears as the NFC’s No. 2 host, drawing the Rams on Jan. 18. The Rams’ 34-31 win squeezed them into a tough road test at Soldier Field. And the 49ers’ 23-19 win over the defending Eagles handed San Francisco a date at the top-seeded Seahawks on Jan. 17.

In the AFC, Buffalo’s 27-24 victory over the Jaguars put the Bills on a collision course with the Broncos. The Patriots’ 16-3 shutdown of the Chargers secured the No. 2 weekend slot and a fresh chance to build on Drake Maye’s steady rise. All that’s left is the Texans at Steelers on Jan. 12 to finalize New England’s opponent.

“Five tight finishes already — this bracket screams one-score football again.”

Storylines to watch in the Divisional Round

• Rookie QBs on the big stage: Williams and Maye took care of business. Now they face No. 2 seeds with loud home crowds and real-weather stakes.
• West power fight: 49ers at Seahawks brings a long-running rivalry into January, where field position and special teams are often the difference.
• Altitude test: Bills at Broncos will be a physical and mental exam. Early rotation and in-game pacing could matter as much as play-calling.
• Chicago’s cold edge: If the temps dip, the Bears’ defensive line and run game gain even more value against the Rams’ speed.
• Clutch DNA: With so many one-score results already, fourth-down calls and two-minute execution will likely decide who moves on.

Big picture: parity, pressure, and opportunity

This postseason already feels tight, and that’s a credit to how these teams are built. The Bears and Patriots are leaning into defense and rookies who don’t blink. The Rams and Bills trust their playmakers in high-leverage moments. The Seahawks and Broncos earned the right to rest and host — and now must prove it against battle-tested visitors.

With conference championships a week later and the Super Bowl set for Santa Clara, the margin is small and the stakes are massive. One more good weekend, and someone’s path to Super Bowl LX will be wide open.

However you slice it, the Divisional Round has everything: rivalries, rising stars, and settings that change how games are played. Buckle up. January football is here.