2026 NFL Playoff Schedule, Bracket: Steelers Win AFC North; Wild Card Kickoff Times

We now know every matchup to begin the 2026 NFL playoffs next weekend as part of the wild-card round.

The NFC will see a couple of high-profile matchups, while the Carolina Panthers will also host the Los Angeles Rams. Over in the AFC, the Bills will head to Jacksonville and the Chargers will face the Patriots.

Here’s the full playoff picture, including first-round games and final standings in both conferences:

Wild Card Weekend Schedule

All times are ET.

Saturday

4:30 p.m. (FOX) – Los Angeles Rams (5) at Carolina Panthers (4)
8 p.m. – Green Bay Packers (7) at Chicago Bears (2)

Sunday

1 p.m. – Buffalo Bills (6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3)
4:30 p.m. (FOX) – San Francisco 49ers (6) at Philadelphia Eagles (3)
8 p.m. – Los Angeles Chargers (7) at New England Patriots (2)

Monday

8 p.m. – Houston Texans (5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4)

[ NFL Playoff Format: How Does the Postseason Work? ]

** Division champion

[ 2026 Draft Order: Raiders Clinch No. 1 Overall Pick ]

The AFC North — and final playoff spot in the NFL — goes to the Steelers. Pittsburgh clinched the division title in a thrilling game on Sunday night and will host Houston next Monday night.

Before the season, few would have predicted that the top three seeds in the AFC would be the Broncos, Patriots and Jaguars. Denver, though, won the AFC West by three games, New England won 14 games and the Jaguars won 13.

Denver will get the first-round bye while New England and Jacksonville play on Wild Card Weekend — and neither has an easy matchup.

Chargers vs. Patriots will feature two of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks with Drake Maye and Justin Herbert facing off. The Jaguars drew the shortest straw and will have to host Josh Allen.

** Division