The NFL playoff schedule has been announced, but the specific matchups and times will not be revealed until the bracket has been finalized. NBC is expected to reveal the official NFL playoff schedule and bracket at some point during the Sunday Night Football game tonight. For now, we know that the NFL playoffs start Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.
The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens in a SNF battle for the AFC North crown as well as the final playoff spot in the conference. NBC could announce the NFL playoff schedule during the broadcast or wait until the bracket has been made official following the final Week 18 game.
Additionally, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are massive New Orleans Saints fans against the Atlanta Falcons. A Saints’ win would allow the Bucs to clinch the NFC South and secure the No. 4 seed as the final team in the conference to reach the postseason.
A Falcons’ win over the Saints would create a three-way tie atop the NFC South and the Panthers hold the tiebreaker. This scenario would allow Carolina, not Tampa Bay, to win the division and make the NFL playoffs.
We will be updating the NFL playoff bracket and schedule once the final wild-card matchups are announced. Here’s what we know about the NFL playoff schedule and projected bracket so far.
NFL Playoff Schedule: Wild Card Round Begins on Saturday, January 10
Here’s a look at the NFL playoff schedule (via FBSchedules.com) which begins on Saturday, January 10. The NFL is expected to announce the official NFL playoff schedule on Sunday, January 4, during the Sunday Night Football matchup. All times listed are in Eastern.
As a reminder, there is no Monday Night Football game on January 5. Additionally, there is no Thursday Night Football matchup on January 8.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
| January 10 | Wild Card Round | 4:30 p.m. | Prime, CBS or FOX |
| January 10 | Wild Card Round | 8 p.m. | Prime, CBS or FOX |
| January 11 | Wild Card Round | 1 p.m. | Prime, CBS or FOX |
| January 11 | Wild Card Round | 4:30 p.m. | Prime, CBS or FOX |
| January 11 | Wild Card Round | 8:15 p.m. | NBC |
| January 12 | Wild Card Round | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| January 17 | Divisional Round | 4:30 p.m. | TBD |
| January 17 | Divisional Round | 8:15 p.m. | TBD |
| January 18 | Divisional Round | 3 p.m. | TBD |
| January 18 | Divisional Round | 6:30 p.m. | TBD |
| January 25 | AFC Championship | 3 p.m. | CBS |
| January 25 | NFC Championship | 6:30 p.m. | FOX |
| February 8 | Super Bowl 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | NBC |
NFL Playoff Bracket 2026: Projected NFC Wild Card Games
Here’s a look at the projected NFC playoff bracket heading into Week 18. This is not official and is based on the standings before the Week 18 games on Sunday, January 4.
The Seattle Seahawks have clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC and get a first-round bye. Seattle will play the highest remaining seed in the Divisional Round as the NFL re-seeds the bracket after the wild-card round.
| Wild Card | Divisional Round | NFC Championship | Super Bowl |
| 7. Packers | |||
| 2. Bears | |||
| 6. Rams | |||
| NFC Championship | |||
| January 25 | |||
| 3. Eagles | |||
| Super Bowl | |||
| 5. 49ers | Feb. 8, San Francisco | ||
| 1. Seahawks | (Will play highest seed) | ||
| 4. Buccaneers |
NFL Playoff Bracket 2026: Projected AFC Wild Card Games
Here’s a look at the projected AFC playoff bracket heading into Week 18. This is not official and is based on the standings before the Week 18 games on Sunday, January 4.
The No. 1 seed secures a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFL playoffs. As a reminder, the NFL re-seeds the bracket after the wild-card round and the No. 1 seed will play the highest remaining seed.
| Wild Card | Divisional Round | AFC Championship | Super Bowl |
| 7. Bills | |||
| 2. Patriots | |||
| 6. Chargers | |||
| AFC Championship | |||
| January 25 | |||
| 3. Jaguars | |||
| Super Bowl | |||
| 5. Texans | Feb. 8, San Francisco | ||
| 1. Broncos | (Will play highest seed) | ||
| 4. Steelers |
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