Man, the NFL standings right now look like someone threw a deck of cards down a flight of stairs. If you told me back in August that the Kansas City Chiefs would be sitting at home while the Carolina Panthers were hosting a playoff game, I probably would’ve told you to find a new hobby. But here we are. It is January 15, 2026, and the regular season is officially in the rearview mirror. We just survived a Wild Card weekend that was, honestly, kind of a fever dream.
If you’re trying to figure out where everyone stands before the Divisional Round kicks off this Saturday, you’re in the right spot. The bracket is basically set, the "elite" teams from last year are mostly gone, and a few new powerhouses have taken over the neighborhood.
The AFC Power Grid: Denver and New England Rule the Roost
Let’s talk about the AFC first because it is top-heavy in a way we haven't seen in a decade. The Denver Broncos and New England Patriots both finished with 14-3 records. That is insane. Denver snagged the #1 seed because they had a better record against common opponents, which means the road to Super Bowl LX goes through the thin air of Mile High. Bo Nix has been a revelation, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards, which is just wild for a guy people were ready to write off a year ago.
New England is right behind them at #2. Drake Maye is looks like the real deal, finishing the season with a 113.5 passer rating. They just dismantled the Chargers 16-3 in the Wild Card round. It wasn't even close.
Then you have the Jacksonville Jaguars at #3 (13-4) and the Pittsburgh Steelers at #4 (10-7). The Steelers actually won the AFC North in a total nail-biter on Sunday Night Football against Baltimore to cap off the season. But their luck ran out fast; they just got waxed 30-6 by C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans in the Wild Card game.
📖 Related: New Jersey Giants Football Explained: Why Most People Still Get the "Home Team" Wrong
So, here is how the AFC Divisional Round looks for this weekend:
- Houston Texans (#5) at New England Patriots (#2) – Sunday, Jan 18 at 3:00 PM ET.
- Buffalo Bills (#6) at Denver Broncos (#1) – Saturday, Jan 17 at 4:30 PM ET.
The Bills actually pulled off a huge upset by taking down the Jags in Jacksonville last Sunday, 27-24. Josh Allen is playing hero ball again, and it’s working. For now.
The NFC Standings Right Now: Seattle’s World, We’re Just Living In It
Over in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks are the undisputed kings. They finished 14-3 and honestly looked like the most complete team in football. Their defense is terrifying, allowing a league-best points-against total. Sam Darnold—yes, that Sam Darnold—revived his career in the Pacific Northwest, throwing for over 4,000 yards and leading them to the #1 seed.
But the real drama in the NFC standings right now is who didn't make it. The Dallas Cowboys? Out. The Detroit Lions? Out. Even the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles just got bounced in the Wild Card round by the San Francisco 49ers, losing 23-19. Jalen Hurts looked frustrated, and honestly, the Philly media is already calling for heads to roll.
👉 See also: Nebraska Cornhuskers Women's Basketball: What Really Happened This Season
The Chicago Bears grabbed the #2 seed at 11-6, and they just narrowly escaped the Packers in a 31-27 thriller. Caleb Williams is finally playing like the "Generational Talent" everyone promised.
Here’s the NFC Divisional slate:
- San Francisco 49ers (#6) at Seattle Seahawks (#1) – Saturday, Jan 17 at 8:00 PM ET.
- Los Angeles Rams (#5) at Chicago Bears (#2) – Sunday, Jan 18 at 6:30 PM ET.
The Rams are the team nobody wants to play. Matthew Stafford is still slinging it at a high level—he led the league with 4,707 passing yards this year. They just beat the Panthers 34-31 in a game that was way closer than it should have been.
Stat Leaders and The "Wait, Really?" Factor
The individual numbers this year are just as funky as the standings. James Cook from Buffalo led the league in rushing with 1,621 yards. He’s been the engine for that Bills offense while everyone was focused on Josh Allen’s arm. On the receiving end, Jaxon Smith-Njigba exploded for 1,793 yards for Seattle. He’s basically uncoverable at this point.
✨ Don't miss: Nebraska Basketball Women's Schedule: What Actually Matters This Season
It’s also worth mentioning how bad things got for some of the old guard. The Kansas City Chiefs finished 6-11. Patrick Mahomes actually threw 11 interceptions and was sacked more than almost any other year in his career. The dynasty didn't just crack; it sort of imploded. Same goes for the New York Jets, who finished 3-14.
What This Means for Your Bracket
If you're looking at the NFL standings right now and trying to pick a winner, history says you should bet on the home teams this weekend. Denver and Seattle are rested, healthy, and playing in two of the loudest stadiums in the world.
However, the Texans and Rams are playing "hot" football. Houston’s defense, led by Will Anderson (who had a monster 20.0 Approximate Value season), is hitting quarterbacks at a rate that makes offensive coordinators wake up in a cold sweat.
Actionable Takeaways for the Divisional Round:
- Watch the Injury Reports: Keep an eye on the Rams' offensive line. They took some dings in the Carolina game, and Soldier Field in January is not where you want a backup tackle.
- Betting Trends: Underdogs went 3-3 against the spread in the Wild Card round. The "parity" the NFL loves is actually happening this year.
- The Weather Factor: Saturday in Denver is looking cold. Buffalo is used to it, but the Broncos' run defense is much sturdier than what the Bills saw in Jacksonville.
The road to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX is narrowing down. By Sunday night, we'll be down to the final four. If this season has taught us anything, it's that the logo on the helmet matters way less than who's healthy in January.
To get ready for the games, make sure you check the local kickoff times, as the NFL has been a bit cagey with the exact TV assignments until the last minute this year. Grab your snacks, clear your schedule, and get ready for a Saturday double-header that starts with Allen vs. Nix. It's going to be a wild one.