NFL Playoffs 2026: Wild Card Finale, Divisional Round Schedule, and Super Bowl 60 Path Revealed

As the calendar turns to January 12, 2026, the NFL playoff picture for the 2025 season is crystallizing, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated postseasons in recent memory. Tonight marks the thrilling conclusion of the Wild Card Round, a weekend that has already delivered remarkable comebacks and high-stakes drama. With the Divisional Round looming, football fans are bracing for a cascade of gridiron battles that will ultimately pave the path to Super Bowl 60.

The Wild Card’s Last Stand: Texans vs. Steelers Tonight

Tonight, Monday, January 12, 2026, all eyes will be on the final Wild Card showdown as the Houston Texans face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This pivotal Monday Night Football game, airing live on ABC and ESPN at 8:15 p.m. ET, not only closes out the Wild Card Round but also determines the last team to punch its ticket to the Divisional Round. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are on the call for what promises to be an electrifying contest. The outcome will complete the AFC playoff bracket, adding another layer of intrigue to an already compelling postseason.

For fans wondering if this might be a farewell performance for a legendary quarterback, whispers around Aaron Rodgers’ potential retirement at 42 years old add an emotional undertone to the Wild Card narrative. While Rodgers is not directly involved in tonight’s game, the broader context of veteran players nearing the end of their illustrious careers always hovers over the playoffs, making every snap feel more significant. The Texans-Steelers winner will immediately turn their attention to a formidable challenge, as they are slated to visit the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round.

Divisional Round: The Stakes Get Higher

The intensity ratchets up considerably next weekend with the Divisional Round, scheduled for Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18, 2026. This stage of the playoffs sees the conference’s top seeds, who earned crucial first-round byes, finally enter the fray, fresh and ready to defend their home turf. The NFC’s top-seeded Seattle Seahawks and the AFC’s top-seeded Denver Broncos have patiently awaited their opponents, and now the matchups are largely set, promising high-octane football.

In the NFC, the reigning champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, were dramatically knocked out by the San Francisco 49ers in a memorable Wild Card upset. This means the No. 6 seed 49ers will travel to face the No. 1 seed Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, January 17, in what is sure to be a fiercely contested battle for West Coast supremacy. The other NFC Divisional game will feature the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Rams clashing with the No. 2 seed Chicago Bears on Sunday, January 18. Both NFC matchups are scheduled for either 4:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, and 3 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, though specific broadcast channels for all games are yet to be fully announced, with ABC, Fox, NBC, CBS, ESPN, and Amazon Prime typically sharing the coverage, according to Delaware Online.

Over in the AFC, the No. 6 seed Buffalo Bills are set to take on the No. 1 seed Denver Broncos on Saturday, January 17. This game pits two powerhouse teams against each other in a clash that could define the AFC landscape. The final AFC Divisional matchup will see the winner of tonight’s Texans-Steelers game travel to face the No. 2 seed New England Patriots on Sunday, January 18. These AFC contests will also align with the Saturday and Sunday time slots, promising a weekend packed with elite football action.

The Road to Super Bowl 60: Championship Weekend and Beyond

Beyond the Divisional Round, the path to ultimate glory becomes even clearer. The winners of these intense matchups will advance to the AFC and NFC Championship games, both scheduled for Sunday, January 26, 2026. These are the games that separate contenders from true champions, determining which two teams will earn the right to compete for the coveted Lombardi Trophy. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as a single game will decide a season’s worth of effort and dreams.

Super Bowl 60 itself is slated for Sunday, February 8, 2026. While the participants remain unknown at this stage, the journey promises to be filled with unforgettable moments and narratives that will be etched into NFL history. For those teams whose playoff hopes have already ended, attention is already shifting to the future. The 2026 NFL Draft, for instance, is a hot topic, with the Las Vegas Raiders holding the first overall pick and Indiana Hoosiers’ Fernando Mendoza being eyed as a potential No. 1 selection, as reported by Delaware Online. Non-playoff teams currently occupy picks 1-18, with the draft order set to evolve further after the playoffs conclude.

Where to Watch All the Playoff Action

Catching all the thrilling playoff games is easier than ever, with a multitude of viewing options available. Tonight’s Texans-Steelers game is on ABC and ESPN. For the Divisional Round and beyond, fans can tune into major networks like ABC, Fox, NBC, CBS, and ESPN. Streaming services offer even more flexibility: you can watch live NFL games for free on platforms like Fubo, Paramount+, and Apple TV (often with free trials). Additionally, services such as ESPN+, Hulu + Live, Sling, DIRECTV, Disney+, and Philo provide comprehensive coverage, ensuring no fan misses a moment of the postseason drama, as detailed by Fox Sports and Yahoo Sports.

The 2025 NFL season’s playoffs are more than just a series of games; they are a crucible where legacies are forged and dreams are realized. From the nail-biting finishes of Wild Card Weekend to the strategic chess matches of the Divisional Round, and the ultimate test of wills in the Conference Championships, every step brings us closer to crowning a Super Bowl champion. The blend of established powerhouses and emergent dark horses creates a compelling narrative, reminding us why professional football remains a cornerstone of American sports culture.