Error code: %{errorCode}
2026 NFL Playoffs explainer: How does the format work?
Our attention is firmly fixed on what should be an incredible showdown between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks at Super Bowl LX.
But how does the NFL Playoff format actually work? DAZN News breaks it down.
Watch Super Bowl LX live on DAZN for only 99p / $0.99
DAZN’s latest Game Pass deal gives you complete access to Super Bowl LX, alongside full replays of every playoff and regular season game, for just £0.99 / $0.99.
The offer arrives ahead of the ultimate showdown, as Drake Maye’s New England Patriots prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks’ relentless defense with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.
In addition to every game, live or on demand, Game Pass also provides access to RedZone, NFL Network, and DAZN’s weekly original shows, including Downs 2 Business, Kittle Things, and X's & O's coaching breakdown.
Click here for more information and to sign up.
How many teams qualify?
The NFL expanded its current playoff format to 14 teams in 2020. Seven teams from the AFC and seven from the NFC will make up the field.
The previous system saw six teams from each conference qualify. Now, three wildcard teams will join the four divisional winners.
How does the format work?
The NFL playoffs feature three rounds of playoff games before the Super Bowl. Those rounds are Wild Card Weekend, the Divisional Round, and the Conference Championship games.
Under the current system, 12 of the 14 teams must play in all three rounds.
The number one seeds in the AFC and NFC, the Broncos and Seahawks, get a bye into the Divisional Round, meaning they do not play on Wild Card Weekend.
These two teams also get the privilege of playing all their playoff games at home. In addition to having the bye week, those two teams will always play the lowest remaining seed for their playoff matches.
The remaining seedings determine the matches for Wild Card Weekend.
How many teams advance from Wild Card Weekend?
Three teams from each conference will advance from Wild Card Weekend to the Divisional Round.
They will join the top seeds, meaning that the field of 14 will drop to eight.
That will again halve for the Conference Championship games.
When is the Super Bowl?
Super Bowl LX will take place on Sunday, February 8, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and it will be broadcast live on DAZN (excluding the US and China).
Which teams made the 2026 NFL Playoffs?
AFC
- Denver Broncos (14-3, AFC West winner)
- New England Patriots (14-3, AFC East winner)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4, AFC South winner)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7, AFC North winner)
- Houston Texans (12-5, second in AFC South)
- Buffalo Bills (12-5, second in AFC East)
- Los Angeles Chargers (12-5, second in AFC West)
NFC
- Seattle Seahawks (14-3, NFC West winner)
- Chicago Bears (11-6, NFC North winner)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-6, NFC East winner)
- Carolina Panthers (8-9, NFC South winner)
- Los Angeles Rams (12-5, second in NFC West)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-5, third in NFC West)
- Green Bay Packers (9-7-1, second in NFC North)
Wild Card Weekend results
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
- Houston Texans 30 - 6 Pittsburgh Steelers
Divisional Round results
Saturday, January 17
- Denver Broncos 33 - 30 Buffalo Bills
Sunday, January 18
- Seattle Seahawks 41 - 6 San Francisco 49ers
- New England Patriots 28 - 16 Houston Texans
- Los Angeles Rams 20 - 17 Chicago Bears
Conference Championship results
Sunday, January 25
- AFC Championship Game: New England Patriots 10 - 7 Denver Broncos
- NFC Championship Game: Seattle Seahawks 31 - 27 Los Angeles Rams
Super Bowl LX schedule
Sunday, February 8
- New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks - 6.30pm ET / 3.30pm PT / 11.30pm GMT
