The dust has finally settled on one of the most chaotic Wild Card weekends in recent memory. If you spent your Monday night watching the Houston Texans systematically dismantle the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6, you saw the final piece of the puzzle fall into place. We are officially down to the elite eight.
Honestly, the bracket looks nothing like what most analysts predicted back in August. We’ve seen the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles get bounced at home by a gutsy 49ers squad, and we’ve watched "bridge" quarterbacks outplay superstars.
So, let's get into it. Who's left in the nfl playoffs? As of Tuesday, January 13, 2026, we have four teams remaining in the AFC and four in the NFC. The Divisional Round is set, and the road to Santa Clara runs through some of the loudest stadiums in the country.
The AFC Heavyweights: Power and Precision
In the American Football Conference, the path to the Super Bowl goes through Mile High. The Denver Broncos (14-3) secured the top seed and spent the weekend resting. They are the team to beat, but the remaining challengers aren't exactly pushovers.
1. Denver Broncos (No. 1 Seed)
The Broncos have been a juggernaut all year. They earned their bye week by winning a tiebreaker over New England, and they’ve shown a level of consistency that’s rare in today's NFL. Playing in Denver in January is a nightmare for visiting teams. The thin air and the crowd noise at Empower Field at Mile High are legitimate competitive advantages.
2. New England Patriots (No. 2 Seed)
Don't call it a comeback, because they’ve been here for a while. The Patriots handled the Los Angeles Chargers with a clinical 16-3 win on Sunday night. Their defense is playing like a unit possessed, giving up almost nothing in the red zone. They’ll be hosting a high-flying Texans team next, which is going to be a fascinating clash of styles.
📖 Related: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
3. Houston Texans (No. 5 Seed)
The Texans are the hottest team in the AFC. They didn't just beat the Steelers on Monday; they bullied them. Their defense held Aaron Rodgers to one of the least productive playoff games of his career. If you’re looking for a "Cinderella" that actually has the muscle to win it all, this is the group. They travel to Foxborough on Sunday.
4. Buffalo Bills (No. 6 Seed)
Buffalo pulled off a massive upset by going into Jacksonville and knocking off the No. 3 seed Jaguars 27-24. It was a classic Josh Allen performance—equal parts brilliance and "how did he do that?" scrambles. Now they have the unenviable task of traveling to Denver for a Saturday afternoon showdown.
The NFC Field: Rivalries and Revenge
The NFC bracket is arguably more dramatic. We have a massive divisional rivalry game and a showdown between a veteran legend and a rising star. With the Seattle Seahawks (14-3) holding home-field advantage throughout, the Pacific Northwest is the center of the football world right now.
5. Seattle Seahawks (No. 1 Seed)
Seattle looks terrifying. They ended the regular season on a seven-game winning streak and have a defense that reminds people of the "Legion of Boom" days. They get a rematch against a 49ers team that they beat just a few weeks ago in the regular-season finale.
6. Chicago Bears (No. 2 Seed)
Chi-Town is buzzing. The Bears survived a late-game scare from the Green Bay Packers to win 31-27 on Saturday night. Caleb Williams looks every bit the part of a franchise savior. They’ll stay at home at Soldier Field to host the Rams, and if the forecast holds, we could be looking at a classic "Frozen Tundra" type of environment.
👉 See also: Finding the Best Texas Longhorns iPhone Wallpaper Without the Low-Res Junk
7. Los Angeles Rams (No. 5 Seed)
The Rams went into Carolina and escaped with a 34-31 win. Matthew Stafford is still making throws that most humans shouldn't be able to make. They are the "dangerous" veteran team that nobody wants to face in a one-game playoff. Their matchup with Chicago on Sunday evening is arguably the most anticipated game of the weekend.
8. San Francisco 49ers (No. 6 Seed)
Brock Purdy and the Niners are the ultimate survivors. Despite a season defined by injuries—including losing George Kittle to an Achilles tear during their win over the Eagles—they just keep winning. They knocked out the reigning champs 23-19 in a game that felt like a heavyweight boxing match. Now they head to Seattle for a Saturday night clash.
Who's Left in the NFL Playoffs: The Divisional Schedule
If you're planning your weekend, here is how the matchups shake out.
Saturday, January 17
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET): A rematch of a Week 15 thriller. Can Buffalo's offense handle the altitude?
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET): These teams hate each other. Expect a low-scoring, physical game.
Sunday, January 18
✨ Don't miss: Why Isn't Mbappe Playing Today: The Real Madrid Crisis Explained
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET): The No. 1 defense in Houston vs. the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET): The old guard vs. the new era.
What to Watch For
Injuries are the massive "X-factor" right now. The 49ers are essentially playing with a depleted roster, and while Purdy was incredible against Philly, the lack of weapons might finally catch up to them in the noise of Seattle. Meanwhile, the Broncos and Seahawks are rested. That first-round bye is statistically the biggest advantage a team can have; since the playoff expansion, No. 1 seeds make the Super Bowl at a significantly higher rate.
Also, keep an eye on the weather in Chicago. Soldier Field is notorious for wind and snow in late January. If Stafford and the Rams' high-octane passing attack have to play in a blizzard, the Bears' ground game and defense might have the upper hand.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Weather Forecasts: If you’re betting or setting DFS lineups, Friday's weather report for Chicago and Denver will be crucial.
- Monitor the 49ers Injury Report: See if Christian McCaffrey’s workload changes with Kittle officially out.
- Validate Broadcast Channels: Most games are split between CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN/ABC, but local blackouts or streaming-only shifts (like Prime Video) can happen.
The road to Super Bowl LX is narrowing. By Monday morning, only four teams will remain. Enjoy the madness.