NFL Playoff Picture 2026

NFL playoff picture for 2026, updated September 11. In the AFC the Baltimore Ravens hold the top seed and the Indianapolis Colts have the last spot. In the NFC the San Francisco 49ers hold the top seed and the Carolina Panthers have the last spot.

AFC playoff picture

Seed Team Record Div Conf Next
1 Baltimore RavensAFC North leader 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ IND 9/13
2 Buffalo BillsAFC East leader 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ HOU 9/13
3 Denver BroncosAFC West leader 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ KC 9/14
4 Houston TexansAFC South leader 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs BUF 9/13
5 Cincinnati BengalsAFC North 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs TB 9/13
6 Cleveland BrownsAFC North 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ JAX 9/13
7 Indianapolis ColtsAFC South 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs BAL 9/13
In the hunt
Jacksonville JaguarsAFC South 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs CLE 9/13
Kansas City ChiefsAFC West 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs DEN 9/14
Las Vegas RaidersAFC West 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs MIA 9/13
Los Angeles ChargersAFC West 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs ARI 9/13
Miami DolphinsAFC East 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ LV 9/13
New York JetsAFC East 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ TEN 9/13
Pittsburgh SteelersAFC North 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs ATL 9/13
Tennessee TitansAFC South 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs NYJ 9/13
New England PatriotsAFC East 0-1 0-0 0-0 vs PIT 9/20

NFC playoff picture

Seed Team Record Div Conf Next
1 San Francisco 49ersNFC West leader 1-0 1-0 1-0 vs MIA 9/20
2 Atlanta FalconsNFC South leader 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ PIT 9/13
3 Chicago BearsNFC North leader 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ CAR 9/13
4 Dallas CowboysNFC East leader 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ NYG 9/13
5 Seattle SeahawksNFC West 1-0 0-0 0-0 @ ARI 9/20
6 Arizona CardinalsNFC West 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ LAC 9/13
7 Carolina PanthersNFC South 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs CHI 9/13
In the hunt
Detroit LionsNFC North 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs NO 9/13
Green Bay PackersNFC North 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ MIN 9/13
Minnesota VikingsNFC North 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs GB 9/13
New Orleans SaintsNFC South 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ DET 9/13
New York GiantsNFC East 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs DAL 9/13
Philadelphia EaglesNFC East 0-0 0-0 0-0 vs WAS 9/13
Tampa Bay BuccaneersNFC South 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ CIN 9/13
Washington CommandersNFC East 0-0 0-0 0-0 @ PHI 9/13
Los Angeles RamsNFC West 0-1 0-1 0-1 vs NYG 9/21

Legend: * clinched home-field advantage, z clinched first-round bye, y clinched division, x clinched playoff berth, e eliminated. Tags are based on wins only and appear once a spot is mathematically settled.

How NFL tiebreakers work

Playoff picture FAQ

How many teams make the NFL playoffs?

7 per conference, 14 in total. Division winners are seeded first, then wild cards by record.

What does "in the hunt" mean?

Teams outside the current playoff line but within about two games of the last spot. They can move in with a good week.

What do the x, y, z and * tags mean?

x means the team has clinched a playoff berth, y a division title, z a first-round bye, and * home-field advantage. An e means the team is eliminated.

When is the playoff picture final?

After the last regular-season game. Until then every result can move seeds, especially where teams are tied and tiebreakers apply.

Updated