The 2026 NFL playoffs are set to begin next weekend, with teams now gearing up for the Wild Card round. These matchups will determine who advances toward the ultimate goal—the Super Bowl LX. The regular season saw some surprising outcomes, and the first-round games promise to deliver excitement as teams from both conferences battle for supremacy.
AFC First-Round Matchups
In the American Football Conference (AFC), the Denver Broncos finished the regular season with the best record, 13-3. They earned the top seed, while the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars, both with 13-4 records, secured the next spots. The Pittsburgh Steelers, with a 10-7 record, clinched the AFC North and will face the Houston Texans, who finished 12-5, in the next round.
Other key matchups in the AFC include the Buffalo Bills, with a 12-5 record, visiting the Jacksonville Jaguars for a challenging Wild Card game. The Los Angeles Chargers will face the New England Patriots in a game featuring two young quarterbacks—Justin Herbert of the Chargers and Drake Maye of the Patriots.
NFC First-Round Matchups
In the National Football Conference (NFC), the Seattle Seahawks ended the season with the best record, 14-3, securing the top spot in the NFC. They will watch the Wild Card weekend from home as the other teams battle it out. The Chicago Bears, with an 11-6 record, will host the Green Bay Packers, who finished in 7th place. This matchup is particularly notable as it will be the third meeting between the two teams in just a few weeks.
In another NFC showdown, the Philadelphia Eagles will play the San Francisco 49ers, both with 11-6 records. Finally, the Los Angeles Rams, finishing in the 5th seed, will face the Carolina Panthers, champions of the NFC South.
Super Bowl LX Odds
Super Bowl LX will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026. The Bet365 odds for the Super Bowl have already been released, with the Seahawks as the favorites, followed by the Rams, Broncos, and Eagles. The odds for the Super Bowl LX are as follows:
- Seahawks: +375
- Rams: +425
- Broncos: +650
- Eagles: +900
- Patriots: +1000
- Bills: +1000
- Texans: +1100
- Jaguars: +1400
- Bears: +2000
- Packers: +2000
- 49ers: +2300
- Chargers: +3000
- Steelers: +5000
- Panthers: +17500
Author:
Lucas Portela
Owner, BoldGambler • Avanhandava/SP
Oddsmaker, affiliate and content creator in the iGaming industry.