2026 NFL Playoffs: Complete Bracket, Schedule, and Mexico-Friendly Viewing Guide
The road to Super Bowl 60 is officially paved. As the 2025-26 NFL regular season concludes, the drama of Week 18 has finalized the 14-team field for the 2026 NFL Playoffs. For fans in Mexico, this means prime-time football is about to reach its thrilling peak, with historic implications already set in stone. The NFC South, for the second time in three years, will send a team with a losing record to the postseason, adding a unique layer of unpredictability to the chase for the Lombardi Trophy.
With the bracket being finalized late Sunday, January 4th, the exact matchups and times are now being locked in. This guide provides everything an English-speaking fan in Mexico needs to know: from the official playoff schedule and how to watch every game, to the key storylines and predictions defining this year’s tournament.
Official 2026 NFL Playoff Schedule & How to Watch
The NFL playoffs begin on Saturday, January 10, 2026, and will run for three consecutive weekends of high-stakes football. The full schedule, including specific matchups, will be announced by the league following Week 18. However, the broadcast structure is already confirmed, with every major U.S. network carrying games. In Mexico, these games are typically available on ESPN, Fox Sports, and via streaming services like NFL Game Pass and DAZN.
2026 NFL Playoff Round-by-Round Schedule
| Round | Dates | Broadcast Partners (U.S.) | Expected Mexico Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card Round | Jan. 10-11, 2026 | CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video | ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL Game Pass |
| Divisional Round | Jan. 17-18, 2026 | CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN | ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL Game Pass |
| Conference Championships | Jan. 24, 2026 | CBS (AFC), Fox (NFC) | ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL Game Pass |
| Super Bowl LX | Feb. 8, 2026 | NBC | ESPN, Fox Sports, Televisa (likely) |
Key Playoff Storylines & Bracket Implications
Week 18 settled several major seeding battles and created immediate playoff narratives. The San Francisco 49ers secured the NFC’s top seed and a first-round bye with a win over the Seattle Seahawks, cementing their status as the conference’s team to beat. Meanwhile, the battle in the NFC South ensured a piece of dubious history.
The Losing Record Playoff Team: A Historic Guarantee
With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ victory over the Carolina Panthers, the NFC South champion—whether it’s the Buccaneers or Panthers—will enter the playoffs with a sub-.500 record. This marks the first time since the NFL moved to a 17-game schedule in 2021 that a team with a losing record has qualified for the postseason.
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ crucial victory… has solidified a highly unflattering piece of NFL history: the NFC South will once again be represented in the playoffs by a team with a losing record.” – The Sporting News
This follows the precedent set by the 2010 Seattle Seahawks (7-9), who famously won a Wild Card game, proving that anything can happen in January.
AFC & NFC Championship Predictions
Analysts are already looking ahead to potential conference title matchups. The consensus sees powerhouses emerging from the chaos of the regular season.
| Conference | Popular Predicted Matchup | Key Contender |
|---|---|---|
| AFC | Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots | Denver Broncos & Patriots tied atop AFC |
| NFC | San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears (Rematch) | 49ers viewed as “scariest team” in field |
Many believe the NFC runs through San Francisco, with one analyst stating, “At this moment I am having a hard time seeing how any NFC team outlasts San Francisco in a playoff game.” The Los Angeles Rams are also seen as a strong dark horse capable of making a deep run.
Week 18 Clinching Scenarios That Shaped the Bracket
The final day of the regular season was decisive. Here’s a snapshot of the key scenarios that came to pass:
- San Francisco 49ers: Clinched NFC West title and NFC No. 1 seed with Week 18 win.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Clinched NFC South title with win over Panthers.
- Baltimore Ravens & Pittsburgh Steelers: Faced elimination with losses in their head-to-head AFC North title game.
- Green Bay Packers: The only team locked into a seed (NFC No. 7) heading into Week 18.
Preparing for Super Bowl 60
The 2026 NFL playoffs culminate in Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, 2026, broadcast on NBC. For fans in Mexico, this will be a can’t-miss event, with extensive coverage expected across sports networks and local broadcasters. As the bracket unfolds, the journey promises the classic NFL playoff mix of dominant favorites, shocking upsets, and the relentless pursuit of a championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the 2026 NFL playoffs start and end?
The 2026 NFL playoffs begin with the Wild Card Round on Saturday, January 10, 2026. The postseason concludes with Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Which team made the playoffs with a losing record?
The winner of the NFC South—either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Carolina Panthers—will enter the 2026 playoffs with a losing record. This is a historic occurrence under the current 17-game schedule format.
How can I watch the NFL playoffs in Mexico?
Games are widely available in Mexico through ESPN, Fox Sports, and NFL Game Pass. The Super Bowl will be broadcast on NBC in the U.S., and is typically also carried by major Mexican networks like Televisa for local audiences.
Who are the favorites to win the Super Bowl in 2026?
Early predictions heavily feature the San Francisco 49ers from the NFC and teams like the Buffalo Bills or New England Patriots from the AFC. The 49ers, having secured the NFC’s top seed, are considered by many analysts to be the current team to beat.