How do the NFL playoffs work and how many teams can qualify?

The goal for all 32 teams at the start of an NFL season is to reach the Super Bowl and lift the Vince Lombardi trophy.

However, to achieve this, teams must successfully navigate the playoffs to reach the NFL's showpiece game.

But how do the playoffs work? DAZN News explains. 

How many teams will reach the NFL Playoffs? 

Come the end of the regular season, 14 teams advance to the playoffs, seven from the AFC and seven from the NFC. 

The four teams which win their respective divisions in each conference earn spots, while the remaining three places are given to the non-division-winning teams that have the best records in their respective conferences.

These are known as "Wild Card spots".​

Which teams have taken part in the 2026 NFL Playoffs?

Win-loss records include playoff results.

AFC

1. Denver Broncos (14-3, AFC West winner). Advanced to the Divisional round as the No.1 seed.
2. New England Patriots (15-3, AFC East winner). Advanced to the Divisional round after beating the Chargers.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-5, AFC South winner). Eliminated from the Wild Card round after losing to the Bills.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7, AFC North winner). Playing the Texans in the Wild Card round.
5. Houston Texans (12-5, second in AFC South). Playing the Steelers in the Wild Card round.
6. Buffalo Bills (13-5, second in AFC East). Advanced to the Divisional Round after beating the Jaguars.
7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-7, second in AFC West). Eliminated from the Wild Card round after losing to the Patriots.

NFC

1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3, NFC West winner). Advanced to the Divisional round as the No.1 seed.
2. Chicago Bears (12-6, NFC North winner). Advanced to the Divisional round after beating the Packers.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-7, NFC East winner). Eliminated from the Wild Card round after losing to the 49ers.
4. Carolina Panthers (8-10, NFC South winner). Eliminated from the Wild Card round after losing to the Rams.
5. Los Angeles Rams (13-5, second in NFC West). Advanced to the Divisional round after beating the Panthers.
6. San Francisco 49ers (13-5, third in NFC West). Advanced to the Divisional round after beating the Eagles.
7. Green Bay Packers (9-8-1, second in NFC North). Eliminated from the Wild Card round after losing to the Bears.

How do the NFL Playoffs work? 

The NFL Playoffs begin with the Wild Card round, followed by the Divisional round.

The AFC and NFC Championship games then decide who will be each conference’s representation in the Super Bowl.

• Wild Card round
• Divisional round
• AFC and NFC Championship games
• Super Bowl

The wild card round uses the following format in each conference.

• Number two seed vs Number seven seed
• Number three seed vs Number six seed
• Number four seed vs Number five seed

The winner of these Wild Card games will advance to the divisional round and join the two No.1 seeds from the AFC and NFC, who earned a bye as a result of having the best record over the regular season. 

The No.1 seeds will face the worst remaining team in their respective conference in the divisional playoffs, and once this matchup is confirmed, the remaining two teams in each conference (second-best and second-worst seeds) will go head-to-head.

Once the divisional games have concluded, the two remaining teams will meet in the AFC and NFC Championship games to determine who will represent each conference in the Super Bowl. 

2026 NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Weekend schedule

Saturday, January 10

• Carolina Panthers 31-34 Los Angeles Rams
• Chicago Bears 31-27 Green Bay Packers

Sunday, January 11

• Buffalo Bills 27 - 24 Jacksonville Jaguars
  San Francisco 49ers 23 - 19 Philadelphia Eagles
  New England Patriots 16 - 3 Los Angeles Chargers

Monday, January 12

• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Houston Texans - 8pm ET / 5pm PT / 1am GMT (Tuesday)

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The offer drops ahead of what promises to be an action-packed Wild Card weekend, when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers.

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