What is the NFL playoff format? How the NFL playoffs work for the 202526 postseason Tom Viera, USA TODAYJanuary 3, 2026 at 3:02 AM 0 It's time to get ready for the thrilling culmination of the NFL season. In just one week, the playoffs will begin, showcasing the best teams from both conferences as they strive for this year's Super Bowl glory. Since the 202021 season, the NFL has enhanced the postseason by expanding the field from 12 to 14 teams. The journey begins during wild card weekend, when 14 contenders take the field.
- - What is the NFL playoff format? How the NFL playoffs work for the 2025-26 postseason
Tom Viera, USA TODAYJanuary 3, 2026 at 3:02 AM
0
It's time to get ready for the thrilling culmination of the NFL season. In just one week, the playoffs will begin, showcasing the best teams from both conferences as they strive for this year's Super Bowl glory.
Since the 2020-21 season, the NFL has enhanced the postseason by expanding the field from 12 to 14 teams. The journey begins during wild card weekend, when 14 contenders take the field.
Here's everything you about the NFL playoff format for this season:
their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/YliW9zZ class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
">Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
" src=https://ift.tt/YliW9zZ class=caas-img>
Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/imE4tC9 class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
">Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
" src=https://ift.tt/imE4tC9 class=caas-img>
"Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/x6usiNH class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
">Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
" src=https://ift.tt/x6usiNH class=caas-img>a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ZgaM5E0 class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
">Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
" src=https://ift.tt/ZgaM5E0 class=caas-img>the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1tQNxup class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
">Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
" src=https://ift.tt/1tQNxup class=caas-img>
Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/JfDH073 class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
">Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
" src=https://ift.tt/JfDH073 class=caas-img>Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/y3DHsAh class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
">Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
" src=https://ift.tt/y3DHsAh class=caas-img>
Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fowZQ3j class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
">Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
" src=https://ift.tt/fowZQ3j class=caas-img>
1 / 25Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL seasonWeek 6: Washington Commanders wide receiver Chris Moore (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Chicago Bears at Northwest Stadium. The Commanders wore their all-black alternate uniforms for the game.NFL playoff format
The NFL playoff format is a single-elimination tournament of seven teams in the AFC and NFC, including:
Four division winners (South, North, East, and West)
Three wild card teams (best remaining teams by record)
The division winner with the best record receives the No. 1 seed in their conference, plays their playoff games at home, and gets a bye in the first round (wild card) of the playoffs.
The playoffs have four rounds: the wild card round, the divisional round, the conference championship games and the Super Bowl. There is an extra week between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl.
Wild card round
No. 1 seed has a bye
No. 2 seed hosts No. 7 seed
No. 3 seed hosts No. 6 seed
No. 4 seed hosts No. 5 seed
Divisional round
The No. 1 seed hosts the lowest remaining seed.
The second-highest remaining seed hosts the second-lowest remaining seed.
Conference championship game
Divisional round winners (higher seed hosts)
Super Bowl
Conference championship winners play at a neutral site.
This year's Super Bowl will be played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
When do the NFL playoffs start?
The NFL playoffs kick off on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 4:30 p.m. ET for the first game of the wild-card round.
Here's how the full schedule breaks down for the 2025-26 NFL playoffs.
Wild card round: Jan. 10-12, 2026
Divisional round: Jan. 17-18, 2026
Conference championship: Jan. 25, 2026
Super Bowl: Feb. 8, 2026
NFL playoff picture
*=team has clinched a playoff berth.
AFC playoff picture -
No. 1 seed: Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winners)*
No. 2 seed: New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winners)*
No. 3 seed: Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South leaders)*
No. 4 seed: Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
No. 5 seed: Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 1)*
No. 6 seed: Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
No. 7 seed: Buffalo Bills (11-5, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
NFC playoff picture -
No. 1 seed: Seattle Seahawks (13-3, NFC West leaders)*
No. 2 seed: Chicago Bears (11-5, NFC North winners)*
No. 3 seed: Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winners)*
No. 4 seed: Carolina Panthers (8-8, NFC South leaders)
No. 5 seed: San Francisco 49ers (12-4, wild card No. 1)*
No. 6 seed: Los Angeles Rams (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
No. 7 seed: Green Bay Packers (9-6-1, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
NFL playoff bracket
These are the current wild-card matchups, given the state of the playoff picture. This is subject to multiple changes pending the results in Week 18:
AFC wild card
No. 2 New England Patriots vs. No. 7-seed Buffalo Bills
No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers
No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. No. 5 Houston Texans
NFC wild card
No. 2 Chicago Bears vs. No. 7 Green Bay Packers
No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Rams
No. 4 Carolina Panthers vs. No. 5 San Francisco 49ers
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL playoff format, explained: Schedule, bracket for NFL playoffs
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: January 03, 2026 at 01:27PM on Source: MARIO MAG
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle