Read on foxsports.comNFL Playoff Picture and Conference Championship Schedule for 2026
The 2026 NFL playoffs have reached the conference championship stage, with the final four teams set to battle for a spot in Super Bowl LX. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks will face off in the NFC Championship, while the AFC Championship features a classic showdown between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos. This article provides the complete updated bracket, game schedules, and a look at the path each team took to reach this pivotal weekend.
The road to Super Bowl LX has narrowed dramatically, with the 2026 NFL playoff field now reduced to four elite contenders. Following a thrilling divisional round weekend that featured overtime drama and decisive victories, the conference championship matchups are officially set. This stage represents the penultimate hurdle before the sport's biggest game, and the remaining teams have each carved distinct paths through a competitive postseason bracket. The upcoming games promise high-stakes football with historic franchises and compelling storylines vying for supremacy.
The Updated NFL Playoff Bracket
After the completion of the divisional round, the playoff landscape is clear. In the AFC, the top-seeded Denver Broncos, who enjoyed a first-round bye, will host the second-seeded New England Patriots. The Broncos advanced by defeating the sixth-seeded Buffalo Bills in a Saturday overtime thriller, while the Patriots secured their spot with a commanding 28-16 victory over the fifth-seeded Houston Texans on Sunday. This sets up a classic AFC Championship duel between two of the conference's most successful franchises.
The NFC side features the number one seed Seattle Seahawks hosting the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks earned their place by delivering a blowout victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday. The Rams, meanwhile, punched their ticket to the conference title game with a gritty 20-17 overtime win against the second-seeded Chicago Bears on Sunday. This matchup guarantees an NFC West rivalry will be represented in Super Bowl LX.
Conference Championship Schedule and Details
The conference championship games are scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2026. The action kicks off with the AFC Championship Game at 3:00 p.m. ET, where the New England Patriots will visit the Denver Broncos. This game will determine the AFC's representative in Super Bowl LX and features a marquee quarterback matchup and storied organizational histories.
The NFC Championship Game will follow at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX, with the Los Angeles Rams traveling to face the Seattle Seahawks. This contest not only decides the NFC champion but also continues a fierce divisional rivalry that has produced many memorable moments. The winner will earn the right to play for the Lombardi Trophy.
Divisional Round Results and Path to the Final Four
The divisional round provided the crucial results that shaped the current bracket. On Saturday, January 17th, the Denver Broncos survived a challenge from the Buffalo Bills, winning in overtime. Later that day, the Seattle Seahawks dominated the San Francisco 49ers to advance comfortably.
Sunday's games saw the New England Patriots control their game against the Houston Texans from start to finish. The weekend's finale was the nail-biting contest between the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears, which required an extra period to decide, ultimately sending the Rams to the NFC Championship. These results eliminated several strong contenders and solidified the final four as the Broncos, Patriots, Seahawks, and Rams.
Looking Ahead to Super Bowl LX
The conference championship winners will advance to Super Bowl LX, the culmination of the 2026 NFL season. The matchups present intriguing possibilities: a potential Broncos-Patriots Super Bowl rematch from years past, a showdown between the Seahawks and either AFC opponent, or a Rams return to the big game. Each team carries the momentum of a hard-fought playoff run and the confidence needed to win one more game for a championship berth.
As the football world turns its attention to these two final playoff games, the strategies, key player performances, and coaching decisions will be under intense scrutiny. The conference championship weekend is often where legends are made and seasons are defined, setting the stage for an unforgettable Super Bowl. Fans can expect a weekend of elite football as these four teams battle for the right to make history.
