My Complete 2026 NFL Playoff Predictions

The NFL playoffs officially kick off tomorrow afternoon, and it’s been a weird season. We don’t have players like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, or Lamar Jackson in the postseason this year. All of them and their teams are not in the playoffs, and because of that, this playoff field has never been more wide open.

With that said, I think this is going to be a great next month of football. We better cherish it, because the season is almost done. Below are my round-by-round predictions, starting with Wild Card Weekend.

Wild Card Weekend Predictions

NFC:

(5) Rams at (4) Panthers

The Rams are just a far better team here. It is interesting, though, because the Panthers did beat them earlier this season. There is a scenario where I could see Carolina maybe pulling this off.

Bryce Young would have to play the best game of his career, and Matthew Stafford would have to be turning the ball over. The Rams are a team you can throw on, and Carolina could be successful pushing the ball down the field.

That said, the Rams are just a much better team. I think they go into Carolina and win pretty easily. Maybe the Panthers keep it close early, but I do think the Rams pull away.

Prediction: Rams win 27-16

(6) 49ers at (3) Eagles

The 49ers have been a great story all year, especially with all the injuries they’ve dealt with on the defensive side of the ball. But I think this is where the journey ends.

I think Saquon Barkley is going to have his best game of the season rushing the ball. He didn’t play last week because the Eagles prioritized rest over seeding. I also think this is a bad matchup for San Francisco.

Jalen Hurts should be able to throw the ball, and the Eagles defense will be able to get after Brock Purdy. Give me the Eagles at home.

Prediction: Eagles win 26-16

(7) Packers at (2) Bears

This is the rivalry game, and I’m taking the upset. I think the Green Bay Packers go into Soldier Field and win.

They played twice earlier this season, and if Romeo Dobbs doesn’t fumble that onside kick, the Packers probably win both games. Green Bay is also the more rested team. They didn’t play any starters last week against the Vikings, while the Bears played their guys because they weren’t sure about seeding.

It didn’t backfire because they still won, but it very easily could have. Ben Johnson has been doing a lot of talking since he got hired, and I think Green Bay will be able to throw the ball on the Bears’ secondary. Give me the Packers in an upset and Matt LaFleur gets the last laugh.

Prediction: Packers win 28-24

AFC:

(5) Texans at (4) Steelers

The Monday nighter. I just think Houston’s defense is going to be all over Aaron Rodgers.

Sure, there’s a scenario where the Steelers could win, with T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward getting after C.J. Stroud. But the Texans defense is rolling right now, and the Steelers’ offensive line is shaky. I think Houston makes Rodgers uncomfortable and wins on the road. Possibly sending the four-time MVP into retirement.

Prediction: Texans win 20-13

(6) Bills at (3) Jaguars

Bills and Jags is the game of the weekend for me. This is such a tough call because I hate betting against Josh Allen this early in the playoffs, especially in such a wide-open field.

But I just think Jacksonville is the better team. They’ve been rolling all second half of the season, and Trevor Lawrence is playing the best football of his career. I think Jacksonville will be able to run all over Buffalo, and their defense will make Josh Allen uncomfortable.

I also think Liam Cohen is a better coach than Sean McDermott. Honestly, I don’t even think it would be the worst thing for the Bills if they lost, because I think McDermott would probably get fired if they go one and done. I’ll take Jacksonville at home.

Prediction: Jaguars win 30-24

(7) Chargers at (2) Patriots

I think the Chargers are a real live underdog here. Their physicality could overwhelm the Patriots early, and I could even see them leading at halftime.

But New England has been consistent all year and is the healthier team. I think Mike Vrabel will have his team ready, and Drake Maye makes his playoff debut. Part of me does wonder if Justin Herbert is due for a playoff win, but historically these franchises tell a different story.

The Patriots are one of the luckiest playoff teams ever, and the Chargers are one of the unluckiest. I think New England finds a way late to win a close game.

Prediction: Patriots win 23-20

Divisional Round Predictions

NFC:

(7) Packers at (1) Seahawks

Starting with the Seahawks and Packers, I like Seattle at home. This will be the first playoff game in Lumen Field with fans since 2017, and they’ll be fresh off a bye.

Mike Macdonald has done a great job preparing this defense to stop the run, and I think they force Jordan Love into turnovers. Sam Darnold could be shaky early, but without Micah Parsons, I don’t think the Packers’ pass rush overwhelms him. Give me the Seahawks.

Prediction: Seahawks win 24-14

(5) Rams at (3) Eagles

This feels like the Rams’ revenge spot. Earlier this season they blew a huge lead to the Eagles, and they also lost to them in the playoffs last year.

I think the Rams go into Philly, their defense gets after Jalen Hurts, and their offense scores too much for this Eagles offense to keep up. I think the Rams go to the NFC title game.

Prediction: Rams win 27-19

AFC:

(5) Texans at (1) Broncos

Broncos vs Texans would be an ugly game, and I know a lot of people will be on Houston. I like Denver here.

Mile High is such a tough place to play. This comes down to the trenches, and I think Denver’s offensive line is better than Houston’s. The defenses are pretty similar, so I’ll take the team that keeps its quarterback upright more often. Give me the Broncos.

Prediction: Broncos win 19-13

(3) Jaguars at (2) Patriots

Patriots vs Jaguars in New England is another spot where I’ll go against the crowd. I think Jacksonville goes into Foxborough and wins.

They’ve been rolling, they’re physical, and these aren’t your same old Jaguars. I think Trevor Lawrence keeps this train moving into the AFC title game.

Prediction: Jaguars 26-20

Conference Championship Games

AFC Championship: (3) Jaguars at (1) Broncos

Nobody would have predicted this matchup before the season. Jacksonville will be coming in hot, and they already dominated Denver just last month.

People will bet against the Broncos, saying they win too many one-score games and beat bad teams. I see it as execution. Bo Nix has shown he’s clutch late, and I think the Broncos defense forces Trevor Lawrence into some inconsistency.

They learn from their mistakes, Mile High is a tough place to play, and Denver earned the bye. I think the Broncos win the AFC.

Prediction: Broncos win 24-21

NFC Championship: (5) Rams at (1) Seahawks

This feels like a collision course for Seahawks-Rams Part Three. I’ll admit I’m biased, but I like Seattle here.

DaVante Adams back for the Rams does scare me a bit, since he didn’t play in their last matchup. But I think Sam Darnold has shaken off past demons, and I trust Mike Macdonald to have this defense ready to get after Matthew Stafford.

That crowd in Seattle for an NFC title game is going to be loud, and I think it pushes the Seahawks through.

Prediction: Seahawks win 27-24

Super Bowl LX Prediction: Seattle Seahawks def. Denver Broncos

That sets up a rematch of Super Bowl XLVIII: Broncos vs Seahawks. It’s kind of crazy to think we’d get a Super Bowl with Sam Darnold and Bo Nix, but this has been a weird season.

I think the Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. Seattle has been the most consistent team in the NFL all year. They’ve lost three games by a combined nine points, have the highest point differential, and the best defense.

I think they’re also the better offense and the most complete team in football. You can call me biased because I’m a fan, but I really think the stars align for Seattle this year. They’ve been healthy, they’re getting guys back, and I think the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl.

Prediction: Seahawks win 21-17