NFL Playoffs Bracket Update: Divisional Round Games Set After Texans Win

By Swikblog · NFL Playoffs 2026

Wild Card Weekend ended with a decisive result: the Houston Texans beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, and that final game fully locked in the AFC divisional round bracket. With that win, Houston advanced — and Pittsburgh’s season ended on the spot.

The confirmed playoff field and divisional round matchups were outlined in the schedule update published by Yahoo Sports .

What Changed After the Texans Win

The key update is simple: the Steelers are no longer part of the playoff field after losing in the wild-card round. That confirms Houston as the team heading to New England in the divisional round, while Buffalo travels to Denver.

Updated NFC Playoff Field

• 1. Seattle Seahawks (14–3)
• 2. Chicago Bears (12–6)
• 5. Los Angeles Rams (13–5)
• 6. San Francisco 49ers (13–5)

Updated AFC Playoff Field (After Texans Beat Steelers)

• 1. Denver Broncos (14–3)
• 2. New England Patriots (15–3)
• 5. Houston Texans (12–5)
• 6. Buffalo Bills (13–5)

Note: Pittsburgh (9–7) was a wild-card team, but the Steelers were eliminated with the loss to Houston and should not appear in the updated playoff field.

NFL Divisional Round Schedule

NFC Matchups

• San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
  When: Saturday, Jan. 17 | 4:30 p.m. OR 8 p.m. ET
  Location: Lumen Field, Seattle
  TV: TBD
• Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
  When: Sunday, Jan. 18 | 3 p.m. OR 6:30 p.m. ET
  Location: Soldier Field, Chicago
  TV: TBD

AFC Matchups

• Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos
  When: Saturday, Jan. 17 | 4:30 p.m. OR 8 p.m. ET
  Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver
  TV: TBD
• Houston Texans at New England Patriots
  When: Sunday, Jan. 18 | 3 p.m. OR 6:30 p.m. ET
  Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
  TV: TBD

Final kickoff times and TV networks will be confirmed once the league announces the official slate. Until then, the matchups are set — and the road to the Super Bowl is down to eight.