# NFL Playoff Thread 2026 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [January 5, 2026, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372 "2026-01-05T16:53:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/1 "2026-01-05T16:53:20Z")
Seattle served notice on Saturday that they are the Super Bowl favorites with a dominating defensive performance against the 49ers, a 13-3 win that probably wasn’t as close as the score would indicate. Tampa Bay stayed alive with a win over Carolina, but, alas, the Falcons victory over the Saints on Sunday allowed the Panthers to sneak into the playoffs with an 8-9 record. Both the Eagles and Bears lost on Sunday, so Chicago kept the #2 NFC seed. The Jaguars and Texans both won, meaning the Jags won the AFC South while the Texans are a wild-card seed for the first time in franchise history. The Broncos maintained their #1 AFC seed with a win over the Chargers, and the Pats kept their second seed by beating the Fins. The Rams are the #5 NFC seed, while the Niners slipped to #6. And the Steelers beat the Ravens Sunday night, thanks to a last-second missed field goal which capped a wild fourth quarter. Pittsburgh wins the division and will host a playoff game this weekend. Here are this week’s lines. All spreads taken from [ESPNBet](https://www.espn.com/nfl/schedule/_/week/17/year/2025/seasontype/2) on Monday the 5th at 10:45 am CT. All times Central Saturday: Rams @ Panthers (+10.5) 3:30 Packers @ Bears (-1.5) 7:00 Sunday: Bills @ Jaguars (+1.5) 12:00 49ers @ Eagles (-3.5) 3:30 Rams @ Patriots (-3.5) 7:00 Monday: Texans @ Steelers (+3.5) 7:15 3 visiting teams are favored this weekend, including the Bills, who haven’t won a road playoff game since January of 1993. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/2 "2026-01-05T17:27:13Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Rams @ Panthers (+10.5) 3:30 > Packers @ Bears (-1.5) 7:00 > > Sunday: > > Bills @ Jaguars (+1.5) 12:00 > 49ers @ Eagles (-3.5) 3:30 > Rams @ Patriots (-3.5) 7:00 > > Monday: > > Texans @ Steelers (+3.5) 7:15 I think it’s the Chargers at the Patriots, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/3 "2026-01-05T18:35:51Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I think it’s the Chargers at the Patriots, actually. I dunno, everybody seems to like inter-conference playoff games. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/4 "2026-01-05T18:40:25Z")
It’s why the Rams are the underdog in the second game. They’re gonna be exhausted. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/5 "2026-01-05T18:54:55Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I think it’s the Chargers at the Patriots, actually. Dammit. My proofreading skills suck Chargers @ Patriots (-3.5) ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/6 "2026-01-05T18:57:36Z")
To be fair, I still don’t associate “Chargers” with “Los Angeles”. That may never sound right to me ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/7 "2026-01-05T19:05:33Z")
The lines all seem pretty reasonable to me except Bears/Packers. Even ignoring the last game where the Packers were resting the starters, they’ve haven’t looked impressive in a while. Maybe people are expecting Love to be back at 100%, but they’ll still miss Parsons. I see an easy win for the Bears. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/8 "2026-01-05T19:06:40Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > I still don’t associate “Chargers” with “Los Angeles”. Which obviously happens to me as well. ESPN lists the city, along with a miniscule logo to identify the team. I did the same thing a couple of weeks ago with the Giants & Jets. No excuse, to be sure, but I am old and getting older. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/9 "2026-01-05T19:09:03Z")
I got a chuckle reading an article on “what the Pack must do to win”: prevent turnovers, force turnovers, and score early and often. Yeah, that will usually do it. Good to see the sportswriters really digging deep in their analysis. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/10 "2026-01-05T20:33:11Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > To be fair, I still don’t associate “Chargers” with “Los Angeles”. That may never sound right to me > [@Railer13](#): > > Which obviously happens to me as well. ESPN lists the city, along with a miniscule logo to identify the team. I did the same thing a couple of weeks ago with the Giants & Jets. > > No excuse, to be sure, but I am old and getting older. I STILL have to do mental gymnastics for pretty much every relocated team. If I am told just the city, its former team immediately comes to mind. If I am given the nickname (and it hasn’t changed), it’s always their former city. I’m double buggered if the nick changed during the move. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/11 "2026-01-05T21:56:37Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > To be fair, I still don’t associate “Chargers” with “Los Angeles”. And rams charge at things; that’s what “ramming” is after all. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/12 "2026-01-05T22:16:01Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I got a chuckle reading an article on “what the Pack must do to win”: prevent turnovers, force turnovers, and score early and often. Yeah, that will usually do it. I bet you could even win by scoring late and often. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/13 "2026-01-05T22:21:21Z")
I remember the wisdom of the late John Madden. [![](https://i.redd.it/xvykqukr541e1.jpeg) ](https://i.redd.it/xvykqukr541e1.jpeg) I think every franchise needs to remember this. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/14 "2026-01-05T22:36:09Z")
Even with Love I do not think my Packers are a playoff caliber team > [@Railer13](#): > > alas, the Falcons victory over the Saints on Sunday allowed the Panthers to sneak into the playoffs with an 8-9 record. Unbelievable that a team with a losing record could possibly become champions. And it’s ridiculous to have 7 teams in the playoffs to start off with. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/15 "2026-01-05T23:29:37Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > And it’s ridiculous to have 7 teams in the playoffs to start off with. I agree, it seems like two wild card teams (6 total) per conference was the right amount. But you know those two extra games mean extra money for the NFL. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/16 "2026-01-05T23:55:17Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Even with Love I do not think my Packers are a playoff caliber team I have to agree with you. Even earlier in the season, before the injury bug bit them hard, and they lost Parsons, Tucker Kraft, Elgton Jenkins, etc., they were still playing inconsistent ball. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/17 "2026-01-06T01:16:03Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > If I am given the nickname (and it hasn’t changed), it’s always their former city. I’m double buggered if the nick changed during the move. They’re still the Houston Oilers, dammit! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/18 "2026-01-06T01:23:15Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > They’re still the Houston Oilers, dammit! Don’t get me started on the Baltimore Colts. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/19 "2026-01-06T01:25:45Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Don’t get me started on the Baltimore Colts. IKR? Though, it pains me to realize that they have now been in Indianapolis for considerably longer (42 seasons) than they were in Baltimore (31 seasons). Edit: For that matter, the Titans have now been in Tennessee for almost as long (29 seasons) as they were in Houston (37 seasons). ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/20 "2026-01-06T01:29:36Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > it pains me to realize that they have now been in Indianapolis for considerably longer (42 seasons) than they were in Baltimore (31 seasons). Oh my god. They were the Baltimore Colts my entire life until they moved. 42 seasons in Indy? That’s a long time. So, doing the math, I’m old. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372.md?page=2)