The 2026 NFL playoff picture has been finalized after a thrilling Week 18, with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, and Jacksonville Jaguars all clinching division titles in dramatic fashion. Wild Card Weekend is set for January 10-12, with Super Bowl LX scheduled for February 8 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
In one of the most dramatic finishes of the season, the Steelers secured the AFC North championship with a stunning 26-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with just 55 seconds remaining, and Pittsburgh's hopes were sealed when Baltimore kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal wide right as time expired. This marks Pittsburgh's first AFC North title since 2020.
The Carolina Panthers claimed the NFC South title for the first time in 10 years after the Atlanta Falcons' 19-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints created a three-way 8-9 tie atop the division. The Panthers won the tiebreaker and will host the Los Angeles Rams in the opening Wild Card game on Saturday, January 10.
For just the third time in 26 years, the Jacksonville Jaguars are AFC South champions. Rookie coach Liam Coen and quarterback Trevor Lawrence led the team to a dominant 41-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans, capping a remarkable turnaround from last season's 4-13 record.
The Denver Broncos secured the AFC's No. 1 seed and a first-round bye with a 19-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, while the Seattle Seahawks earned the top spot in the NFC. The Chicago Bears clinched their first division championship since 2018.
In a notable development, the Kansas City Chiefs will be absent from the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era. The three-time Super Bowl champions failed to qualify, marking the end of their remarkable postseason streak.
Wild Card Weekend will kick off on Saturday, January 10, with the Rams at Panthers at 4:30 PM ET on FOX, followed by the Packers at Bears at 8 PM ET on Prime Video. Sunday features the Bills at Jaguars and 49ers at Eagles, with the Chargers at Patriots in the evening. The weekend concludes Monday night when the Steelers host the Houston Texans.
The Las Vegas Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, their first top selection since 2007. The franchise is expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the pick.
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