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.
