Look, the NFL playoffs are basically a high-stakes demolition derby. Right now, everyone is asking the same question: who plays in Super Bowl 2026? We’ve officially hit the business end of the season. The Wild Card dust has settled, the divisional round is mid-swing, and the path to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara is narrowing by the hour.
It’s Super Bowl LX (60). A milestone. A massive game on February 8. But before we get to the Bad Bunny halftime show and the $7 million commercials, we have to survive the bracket.
The AFC Chaos: Can Anyone Stop Denver?
Honestly, the AFC bracket looks nothing like people predicted back in August. Remember when the Chiefs were the "inevitable" pick? Yeah, that’s gone. Patrick Mahomes and the offense spent the season fighting turnovers, and for the first time in what feels like a decade, Kansas City isn't the looming shadow over the conference.
Instead, we have the Denver Broncos sitting at the No. 1 seed. It’s wild. They just squeaked past the Buffalo Bills in a 33-30 overtime thriller on January 17. Josh Allen played his heart out, rushing for two scores and keeping Buffalo in it, but a late field goal in the extra period sent the Bills home.
So, Denver is officially one step away. They’re waiting in the AFC Championship game on January 25. Who will they play? That's the big toss-up. Today, January 18, the Houston Texans are taking on the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
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New England has this weird, rejuvenated energy with Drake Maye under center. He’s basically playing like an MVP candidate. On the other side, Houston’s defense is legit terrifying. They just bullied the Steelers 30-6 last week. If Houston wins today, they head to Denver. If the Pats win, they host the AFC title game because they’re the higher seed. It's basically a coin flip at this point.
The NFC Side: The West is Still King
Over in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks are currently the team to beat. They absolutely dismantled the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 on Saturday. It wasn't even close. The Niners were playing without George Kittle, who unfortunately suffered a torn Achilles in the Wild Card round, and you could tell. Brock Purdy was under fire all night, and Seattle’s "12th Man" energy was just too much.
So, Seattle has punched their ticket to the NFC Championship.
The other half of that bracket is being decided right now. The Los Angeles Rams are at Soldier Field facing the Chicago Bears. This is a fascinating matchup because it’s basically "Old Guard vs. New Blood." You’ve got Matthew Stafford, who still has that elite arm and playoff composure, going against Caleb Williams.
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Caleb has been a "warlock" lately—that's how some scouts are describing him after that insane comeback win against the Packers last week. The Bears were down 21-3 at half and somehow won 31-27. If the Rams win today, they have to fly to Seattle for the title game. If the Bears win, they’re heading to the Pacific Northwest too.
Who Plays in Super Bowl 2026? The Possible Matchups
Since the final two teams aren't set in stone until the conference championships wrap up on January 25, we’re looking at four distinct possibilities for the big game on February 8.
- The "West Coast War": Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks. This would be a throwback to Super Bowl XLVIII. Two high-altitude, loud-stadium teams meeting on "neutral" ground in Santa Clara.
- The "Legacy vs. Future": New England Patriots vs. Chicago Bears. Imagine the ratings. Two of the NFL’s most storied franchises, both led by young, dynamic quarterbacks who weren't even in the league a few years ago.
- The "Defensive Masterclass": Houston Texans vs. Seattle Seahawks. If you like 13-10 games where every yard feels like a war, this is your dream scenario.
- The "Star Power" Special: Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Rams. Stafford back in the Super Bowl against a Denver team that has defied every single oddsmaker this year.
What You Need to Know About the Big Game
Regardless of who plays in Super Bowl 2026, the logistics are set.
Date: February 8, 2026.
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA.
Halftime Show: Bad Bunny (officially confirmed by the NFL and Apple Music).
Broadcaster: NBC and Peacock.
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Tickets are already hitting astronomical prices. On Location, the official hospitality partner, is selling packages that include pre-game parties with NFL legends. If you're planning to go, you're looking at a starting price in the thousands.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the injury reports for the conference championships. The Rams are currently looking like the healthiest team left in the NFC, while the AFC is a battle of attrition.
- Monitor the Weather: The AFC Championship could be played in Foxborough or Denver. Both are notoriously cold in late January, which favors teams with strong run games like Houston.
- Check the "Drake Maye" Factor: If the Patriots win today, their momentum might be unstoppable. Offensive-minded teams tend to cover the spread more often in late-round playoff games.
- Watch the Betting Lines: Currently, the Seahawks are the slight favorites to win the whole thing, but the Rams are a close second if they can get past Chicago today.
The field is narrowing. By next Sunday night, we'll have our answer on exactly which two teams will be standing on the turf in Santa Clara. For now, grab some wings and enjoy the divisional round—it’s the best weekend in sports for a reason.