NFL Playoff Picks 2026: Predicting the AFC, NFC Brackets and Super Bowl 60 Champion

Buckle up, folks — it’s playoff season in the NFL, and the road to Super Bowl 60 is paved with stunning surprises. The 2025 campaign was one of the most abnormal in recent memory, a year of seismic power shifts that have completely reshaped the postseason landscape. The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs and the NFC’s top-seeded Detroit Lions from a year ago are watching from home. The AFC bracket, unthinkably, is without the marquee names of Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson. In their place, a new wave of teams, powered by ferocious defenses and resurgent franchises, has stormed the gates. This is a brave new playoff world, and we’re here to map the path to glory.

A New World Order: The 2026 Playoff Landscape

The story of the regular season was the dramatic leap forward by long-struggling franchises. The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, leveraging historically great defenses, have earned the coveted top seeds and first-round byes. They are joined by revitalized squads like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, and New England Patriots, all of whom have transformed from also-rans to legitimate contenders. This postseason isn’t about established dynasties; it’s a battle for the throne between hungry, ascending teams. The volatility of the season suggests the playoffs will be a brutal, unpredictable gauntlet where defensive prowess and mistake-free football will be paramount.

Our NFL experts have analyzed the matchups, the trends, and the X-factors to provide playoff predictions for every round. Below, we break down the brackets and project which players will break out, which contenders will break down, and which team will ultimately break through to lift the Lombardi Trophy.

AFC Playoff Bracket: Defense Reigns Supreme

The AFC has become a conference forged in the defensive trenches. With many of the elite quarterbacks absent, the path is clear for the league’s most physically dominant units to control the tempo.

• Wild Card Round Upset Special: The New England Patriots’ hard-nosed, disciplined scheme goes on the road to stifle a flashier Bengals offense. Meanwhile, the Jaguars’ dynamic pass rush overwhelms a banged-up Texans offensive line.
• Divisional Round Drama: The top-seeded Denver Broncos, with the best scoring defense in football, face their toughest test against the Jaguars. We expect a low-scoring, punishing affair where Denver’s home-field advantage and ability to generate turnovers proves decisive. In the other matchup, the Patriots’ magic runs out against the balanced offensive attack of the New York Jets, who possess a sneaky-good defense of their own.
• AFC Championship Game Projection: Broncos vs. Jets. This is a classic clash of styles. The Jets have the offensive weapons to challenge anyone, but playing in the thin air of Denver against that relentless Vic Fangio-designed defense is a nightmare proposition. The Broncos’ ability to control the clock with a rejuvenated running game and harass the quarterback with a four-man rush will be the difference.

Predicted AFC Champion: Denver Broncos

NFC Playoff Bracket: The Rise of the New Guard

The NFC bracket is a fascinating mix of defensive juggernauts and offensive innovators. The absence of the Lions opens the door, but the competition is fiercer than ever.

• Wild Card Round Statement Games: The Chicago Bears’ physicality travels well to Dallas, overpowering the Cowboys’ front. The Atlanta Falcons’ high-flying offense gets a scare from the gritty New York Giants but survives on a last-minute drive.
• Divisional Round Showdowns: The Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom 2.0” secondary awaits the Falcons. Seattle’s ability to take away the deep ball and force Atlanta into methodical drives will neutralize their biggest strength. In a brutal NFC North slugfest, the Bears visit the Green Bay Packers. Youthful energy meets veteran savvy, but Chicago’s complete team construction gives them a narrow edge in the cold.
• NFC Championship Game Projection: Seahawks vs. Bears. Two mirror images collide. This game will be decided in the trenches and on the perimeter. Seattle’s home-field advantage at Lumen Field is the ultimate equalizer. The Bears’ promising young quarterback will be tested by the deafening noise and complex coverage disguises. We give the slight nod to the more experienced Seahawks defense making one more game-changing play.

Predicted NFC Champion: Seattle Seahawks

Super Bowl 60 Prediction: A Defensive Masterclass

Super Bowl 60 sets up as a throwback to the defensive battles of yesteryear. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, both built from the defense outward, will clash in what promises to be a tense, physical, and strategically fascinating contest.

Key Matchup to Watch: Seattle’s offensive line vs. Denver’s defensive front. If the Seahawks can establish any sort of run game and protect their quarterback, they have the weapons to score. However, Denver’s defensive line rotation is the best in football, capable of generating pressure without blitzing.

X-Factor Player: The Broncos’ punt returner. In a game where points are at a premium, a single explosive special teams play could be the turning point. Field position will be king.

Ultimately, this game feels destined to be a low-scoring affair, potentially hinging on a critical fourth-quarter turnover. While both defenses are elite, Denver’s unit has shown a slightly higher ceiling for complete, game-wrecking dominance throughout the season. Their ability to completely erase the opponent’s best offensive option gives them a microscopic edge.

In a grueling battle that comes down to the final possession, we predict the Denver Broncos will ride their historic defense to a narrow victory, capturing the franchise’s first Super Bowl title since the Peyton Manning era.

Super Bowl 60 Champion Prediction: Denver Broncos 20, Seattle Seahawks 16

Conclusion: Embracing the Unpredictable

The 2026 NFL playoffs are a testament to the league’s incredible parity and the rapid rise of new contenders. The absence of the familiar faces only heightens the drama and opportunity for new legends to be born. Whether it’s the Broncos seeking to cement a defensive legacy, the Seahawks aiming to start a new dynasty, or a dark horse like the Bears or Jaguars making an unexpected run, this postseason is wide open. Strap in for a tournament defined by defensive stands, emerging stars, and the relentless pursuit of football’s ultimate prize. No matter the outcome, the journey to Super Bowl 60 will be one we won’t soon forget.

NFL playoff picks, predictions for AFC, NFC brackets and Super Bowl 60 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.