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Nick's 2026 NFL playoffs bracket predictions, picks for the entire 2025-26 NFL postseason following the Wild Card round. Which NFL teams will win their playoff matchups and get to the Super Bowl?
With a wacky Wild Card weekend behind us, there are some new wrinkles to fold out with our predictions, while other pieces went just as intended! We're going back to the crystal ball and whispering with the fates to see who is going to make a run. Most of the first round showed us that drama is alive, and most of these teams can win, even if it takes slim margins.
We'll check in on how each team emerged from the Wild Card slate, combined with any past matchups from this year, as well as recent games down the stretch. We don't have Miss Cleo on payroll, but this exercise tends to do pretty well!
Now, let's gather around the campfire and see which teams have the edge. It's time to rewrite the entire playoff bracket with one round now set in stone, from the divisional round all the way to Super Bowl LX. Enjoy!
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Divisional Round Predictions
#6 San Francisco 49ers (12-5) at #1 Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
The 49ers pulled off a road upset in Philadelphia over the defending champions, thanks to timely trickery and a strong effort from the beleaguered defense. It wasn’t all smiles for them, however, as George Kittle suffered an Achilles tear, so Jake Tonges is back in the spotlight.
The team also had to overcome a pair of interceptions from Brock Purdy, and Christian McCaffrey averaged just 3.2 yards per carry on 15 totes. Luckily, he’s an incredible wide receiver when the rushing lanes aren’t available. The 23-19 win has them heading to Lumen Field for an NFC West showdown.
There’s no dancing around the fact that Seattle’s defense ate San Francisco alive in Week 18 to claim the division, holding them to three points, which feels far more relevant compared to the Week 1 matchup where the Niners won 17-13. Either way, these tend to boil down to gritty affairs.
Now, while the 13-3 win in Week 18 doesn’t scream dominant due to only 13 points, it’s worth noting that Seattle had 361 total yards to San Francisco’s 173. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet nearly matched that tally with rushing yards alone (171). Sam Darnold managed the game well, completing 20-of-26 passes and avoiding any turnovers.
We can’t see the 49ers unlocking a path to defeating Seattle, especially without Kittle to help the run blocking (and obviously as a receiving threat). They only converted two of their nine third-down attempts in Week 18, gaining only nine first downs during the game.
But if the Seahawks don’t take advantage of good field position and pull away, then it’ll only take a turnover or long pass interference call to put the game in jeopardy. Don’t play with your food, Seahawks!
#5 Los Angeles Rams (12-5) at #2 Chicago Bears (11-6)
These two teams took turns storming to fourth-quarter comebacks on Saturday of Wild Card weekend, with the Rams edging Carolina while the Bears once again shredded the Packers. While CHI/GB was expected to be close, the Rams were favored by 10 or more points at most sportsbooks.
Many seemed mentally prepared to give the Rams a red carpet to the conference championship, but the Panthers’ pushing them may shift perception. That said, the Rams have still opened as 4.5-point road favorites. Not all rallies are created equally, and Chicago needing 25 points to overcome the No. 7 seed has folks questioning the sustainability of this run.
But to question Ben Johnson’s knack for creativity, as Caleb Williams constantly shows us that he won’t shrink from the moment, means one can’t feel confident one way or another. The Rams also had to overcome a whopping nine penalties for 83 yards, while the Bears were aided by committing only two infractions for five yards. The delay of game actually saved their bacon from a game-ending fumbled snap. Even when they screw up, it’s for the greater good!
Both teams can also boast a reputable kicker, as Cairo Santos nailed all three field goals for Chicago, while Harrison Mevis drilled a pair of his own from 42 and 46 yards out. Brandon McManus’ struggles further highlighted the importance there!
Will this game be decided by which slow starter gets going first? With what we can strip away and analyze, the Rams are more likely to beat themselves, but Chicago’s comebacks have required a historic level of effort and luck. It doesn’t have to be this difficult for either of them!
NFL teams all-time to score 25+ points in the fourth quarter/OT of a playoff game to overcome a 15+ point deficit:
Bears - Tonight
Patriots - SB LIThat’s it. pic.twitter.com/t1ABN7yvnc
— Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) January 11, 2026
If the Bears win, then it’s because there’s another level of playmaker focus put on Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. Rome Odunze and DJ Moore don’t have to spearhead the offense. Williams makes those magical clutch plays at earlier, “routine” times.
Unless the Rams struggle to move in wintry Chicago, they should push forward. Their regular-season +172 point differential is too meaningful up against Chicago’s +26 mark. The 2025-26 NFC West deserves to earn a conference title.
#6 Buffalo Bills (12-5) at #1 Denver Broncos (14-3)
An embattled Josh Allen showed why he’s a perennial MVP candidate in the win over Jacksonville. He got his bell rung, smashed his hand up, and had his leg twisted underneath him on a touchdown rush in the victory. The man is simply built to put a team on his back.
Now he’ll look to run back last year’s Wild Card matchup, when Buffalo crushed Denver 31-7. The Broncos scored in the first three minutes and then couldn’t scratch another point across while the Bills’ rushing attack steamrolled on.
They are different rosters, yes, but Buffalo fans will remember that Curtis Samuel was the leading receiver. That group being a weakness of these Bills is not a new sensation, and it’s possible that Jacksonville was going to represent Buffalo’s toughest test in the AFC!
Then you’ve got this year’s Broncos, who haven’t had many “statement wins.” That is to say, they’ve squeaked past many subpar opponents, and they only scored 30 or more points three times. They did so against the Giants, Cowboys, and Micah Parsons-less Packers.
Buffalo is better than that, so can Denver hold Allen to under 30 this time? Or do you believe Bo Nix’s offense has another gear to hit? They have a worse point differential than Buffalo (+90 to +116), but homefield advantage at altitude is cushy.
#5 Houston Texans (12-5) at #2 New England Patriots (14-3)
Houston’s defense held strong against Pittsburgh while C.J. Stroud and the offense continuously fumbled away the opportunities given. A pair of defensive touchdowns helped ice things, as the Steelers had no answer for the pressure and coverage scheme. Of course, there’s no questioning that this elite unit is a problem for any opponent.
The Texans defense generated -33.4 EPA, the fewest by any playoff defense in the last decade.
Top playoff defenses by EPA, 2016-2025:
🔹Texans tonight: -33.4
🔹Texans, 2024 WC vs LAC: -31.4
🔹Rams, 2024 WC vs MIN: -29.0
🔹Texans, 2023 WC vs CLE: -28.5Powered by @awscloud
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 13, 2026
But hey, if Houston’s a threat after holding Pittsburgh to six points, then how about New England limiting the Chargers to three? Yes, the LAC offensive line was historically damaged. I believe we can effectively call both the Chargers and Steelers below-average playoff squads, and New England had that cushy schedule, so here comes the boom.
These teams will clash with top-5 defenses in Massachusetts, which will be new territory for many involved. Nico Collins may be unavailable due to a head injury, and Stroud just logged five fumbles (he lost two) plus an exceptionally ugly interception. Lockdown corner Christian Gonzalez is also in the concussion protocol, so lots could flip on one being available and the other being out.
Then there’s MVP candidate Drake Maye, who is also coming off two fumbles (one lost) and an interception. But the Chargers still had a top-10 defense themselves, and Maye did pivot by leading the Pats with 66 rush yards on top of some timely throws. Can he sniff out scramble chances against Houston’s agile front?
We saw how once the scoreboard tilted Houston’s way, Pittsburgh had to take more chances, which helped yield the defensive scores. But Maye and the Patriots have more weapons and are more capable of big plays. The most frightening aspect of this game, in my eyes, is Houston getting the 20-24 points needed to give its star-studded D a reasonable edge. If Stroud gets jittery in the pocket and can’t lean on Collins, then they’re in trouble.
However, the fact remains that if Stroud simply plays it safe, then Houston wins by about 40. Ka’imi Fairbairn had that odd extra-point miss late, but he remains one of the best kickers in the game. If New England mustered just 16 points against the Chargers, then Houston may win 13-10. The Texans haven’t lost since November 2, taking down teams like the Jaguars, Bills, and Chargers along the way. The streak continues, and the defense marches on.
Championship Round Predictions
#5 Los Angeles Rams (12-5) at #1 Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
Well, we had this meeting going down in the divisional round, but now we get to bump it to the NFC Championship Game. Both meetings between these two have been tight contests, with special teams defining Seattle’s late-season win, while a quartet of Darnold interceptions led to the Rams’ early victory.
It’s telling when teams are so talented that they’ve nearly won despite their worst efforts in some facet(s) of their game. We’ve seen each squad trip themselves up and still nearly pull the win out. They push each other to the brink, and the coaching staffs surely have tricks up their sleeves for any postseason rubber match. You could easily paint this as a battle of the NFL’s best.
They are the top two teams in point differential, with Seattle at +191 and the Rams at +172. The Rams boast the league’s best offense with 518 points scored, while the Seahawks’ 292 points allowed pace the NFL. In the two games they've already played against each other, the Rams lead 58-57 with 830 yards to Seattle's 829.
These two are simply a cut above. The Rams lost despite almost 600 total yards of offense against this elite defense, taking zero sacks, and allowing no turnovers. Seattle lost with a 414-to-249 yard advantage and nearly a 2:1 time-of-possession edge. Truly, anything can happen.
In the playoffs, a coin flip scenario has me leaning toward the better defense and special teams combination, especially with the home crowd behind them. Seattle is on a seven-game win streak, while the Rams have lost to said Seahawks, as well as the Falcons and Panthers, in recent weeks. Their volatility makes them a tough edge over Seattle, though no one should be surprised if they win. Seattle takes it.
#6 Buffalo Bills (12-5) at #5 Houston Texans (12-5)
That’s right! Houston backs into a home game to decide the AFC. The Texans beat the Bills in Week 12 on the back of eight sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and three turnovers.
Josh Allen was pressured on 33% of his dropbacks vs. the Texans and took a career-high EIGHT sacks 😳
On those dropbacks, Allen produced only ONE first down. pic.twitter.com/SxliWuoboF
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) November 21, 2025
They were starting Davis Mills as well, with Stroud still out due to a concussion. The backup did well, completing 16-of-30 passes, taking no sacks, and protecting the ball well.
Allen is seemingly capable of absorbing nearly infinite punishment, as he displayed while completing 80% of his 35 pass attempts and rushing in two TDs amidst his 11 carries. Will the duct tape hold up if Houston brings a similar caliber of pressure to his grill? Perhaps the game stays close enough for James Cook III to carry the mail, as he gained 116 yards on 17 carries in that Week 12 matchup.
Make your jokes about Stroud, but the Texans beating Buffalo with Mills already is a heavy data point in the bank. While that hook-and-ladder on the final BUF drive did put them on the precipice of a glorious comeback, you shouldn’t need a miracle to beat the No. 2 QB. (I’ll note they also got a kickoff return TD in that one.)
Allen’s QB advantage and goal-line presence are a game-changer. But Week 12 saw Buffalo approach the red zone four times, and four times, Houston’s defense pushed them back or forced a turnover. After witnessing their form against Pittsburgh, I’m rolling with the defense, especially at home.
Super Bowl LX Prediction
#1 Seattle Seahawks (14-3) vs. #5 Houston Texans (12-5)
We’re a ways out from this, but it’s still fun to speculate. Darnold makes mistakes under pressure, and Houston is well-equipped to squeeze that point. The thing is, Seattle’s defense is the only one in the NFL to allow fewer points than Houston!
I realize that “chicks dig the long ball” and y’all want to see points scored, but I’d love a No. 1 vs. No. 2 defense showdown. Both Darnold and Stroud were tied with a +0.15 EPA per dropback metric, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba is more explosive than Collins, and Seattle’s running back room is leagues ahead of Houston’s. Each kicker is stellar.
The most realistic, and boring, answer is that a low-scoring affair is likely decided by who gets a big play late. Perhaps it is a deep penalty or just a lucky tip, but there’s one team that is better positioned to find themselves as the beneficiary, and that’s Seattle.
In the Week 7 meeting between these two, Smith-Njigba flew to 123 yards and a TD on eight catches (14 targets!), while Kenneth Walker III and Charbonnet combined for 115 yards and two more scores in the 27-19 win. Seattle jumped out to a 14-point lead after one quarter, which dictated the gamescript, but it was still a wild one.
There was a goofy Cooper Kupp interception, as well as two lost fumbles by the Seahawks. Both teams committed double-digit penalties, and both ran into walls on third down. Houston was 2-for-15 there, while Seattle was 2-for-14. But losing the turnover battle by a tally of 4-1 should’ve been curtains for the Seahawks, and yet, there they went.
Though Darnold is not going to win MVP or Offensive Player of the Year, he and his offense are more capable across the board. Whether it is edging a stalled drive into field goal territory or turning a field goal attempt into a few end-zone shots, they look like the champs. If the Rams defeat the Seahawks, then I’ll take them over the Texans as well. Good job, NFC West.
The Seahawks prevail and lift the Lombardi Trophy.
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