And just like that, the 18-week regular NFL season is over.
But fear not, the playoffs are here.
The season ended with the AFC division on the line in a Sunday Night Football match up. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens came after Raven’s Kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal that would have given his team the AFC North division.
Instead, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers advance to take on the Houston Texans on Monday, Jan. 14, which will be the final game for wild-card weekend.
2026 NFL playoff bracket
To keep track of who plays who, here’s an early NFL playoff bracket with all times Eastern.
Can’t see our graphics? Click here.
How NFL playoff format works
After this weekend’s games, the records of the remaining four teams in each conference determined how the divisional championships set up:
◾ No. 1 seeds — Denver Broncos in the AFC and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC will host the lowest remaining seed.
â—¾ The next highest remaining seed hosts the other wild-card weekend winner.
The NFL postseason is divided into four rounds, starting with wild-card weekend and culminating in the Super Bowl.
How to watch the 2026 NFL wild-card weekend games
All times listed Eastern:
Looking ahead to 2026 NFL divisional rounds
After wild-card weekend, divisional rounds will begin with two games on Saturday and two on Sunday.
Saturday, Jan. 17: Two games – 4:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.Sunday, Jan. 18: Two games – 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Contributing: Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY