NFL · 1 hour ago

Predicting the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Going Into Week 3

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

It's Your Turn: Which Teams Make the NFL Playoffs This Year?
Sound Off in the Great Playoff Debate: Who Makes the Field?

We've laid out our full 14-team NFL playoff projections heading into Week 3, but now it's your turn to debate the board!
- THE AFC HEAVYWEIGHT: Do the Buffalo Bills hold onto the No. 1 overall seed, or will Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs take over the conference?
- 0-2 SURGE: Can Justin Herbert and the LA Chargers overcome their slow start to steal the #7 seed in the AFC?
- NFC CONTENDERS: Are the San Francisco 49ers the runaway favorite for the NFC's top seed, or can the Dallas Cowboys or LA Rams challenge them?
Drop your hot takes and playoff projections in the comments!
Predicting the NFL's 14 Playoff Teams for the 2026 Season
Road to Super Bowl LXI: Predicting the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Heading Into Week 3

Two weeks of the 2026 NFL season are in the books, and while September football is notorious for wild overreactions, early-season contenders are already showing their true colors. From high-powered offensive engines putting up video-game numbers to suffocating defenses turning money downs into nightmare scenarios, the playoff picture is starting to take shape across both conferences.

Heading into Week 3, here is our projection for how the 14-team NFL playoff field will stack up come January.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)
NFC Wildcard (No. 7 Seed)
- The Drivers: Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and DeVonta Smith pulled off a clutch 24-20 victory over Tennessee in Week 2 to stay unblemished.
- Why They Snag Seed 7: Philadelphia is scoring 24.0 points per game while controlling the lines of scrimmage, holding a +6 point differential through two games.
- The Outlook: Even while fine-tuning their offensive rhythm, the Eagles' talent-rich roster ensures they secure a postseason ticket out of the NFC.
6. Seattle Seahawks (2-0)
NFC Wildcard (No. 6 Seed)
- The Drivers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jadarian Price power the offense, while a "Darkside" defense leads the NFC in scoring defense (8.5 PPG allowed).
- Why They Snag Seed 6: Seattle holds a +27 point differential and an NFL-best 4 interceptions, suffocating division rival Arizona 31-7 in Week 2.
- The Outlook: The defending Super Bowl champions possess big-game pedigree, top-tier pass coverage, and enough offensive depth to lock down a high wildcard seed.
5. Los Angeles Rams (1-1)
NFC Wildcard (No. 5 Seed)
- The Drivers: Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams, and Kyren Williams got back on track with a dominant 28-6 Monday Night Football win over the Giants.
- Why They Snag Seed 5: Aaron Donald returned to anchor an interior front allowing just 16.5 points per game, while Myles Garrett's eventual return gives them a terrifying defensive ceiling.
- The Outlook: LA's veteran core and high-end defensive star power make them the scariest wildcard team in the entire NFC bracket.
4. New Orleans Saints (1-1)
NFC South Champion - No. 4 Seed
- The Drivers: Tyler Shough, Chris Olave, and Travis Etienne sparked an impressive 24-17 road victory over Baltimore in Week 2.
- Why They Win the South: New Orleans fields a top-ten passing attack averaging 305.5 yards per game and 27.0 points per game, holding a positive +6 point differential.
- The Outlook: With Atlanta struggling at 0-2 and Tampa Bay unseated, the Saints' explosive aerial attack makes them the class of the NFC South.
3. Chicago Bears (1-1)
NFC North Champion - No. 3 Seed
- The Drivers: Caleb Williams and D'Andre Swift lead an explosive Bears attack that ranks #4 in total offense with 424.5 yards per game.
- Why They Win the North: Ben Johnson's unit is piling up 31.0 points per game and 212.5 rushing yards per game, using physical trench play to control game tempo. Williams is hurt, but it's expected to be less serious than originally feared.
- The Outlook: Chicago's high-ceiling offense gives them the firepower needed to out-duel rival contenders and capture a competitive NFC North crown.
2. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
NFC East Champion - No. 2 Seed
- The Drivers: Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb lit up the scoreboard in Week 2, with Prescott throwing 4 touchdown passes in a 37-20 victory over Washington.
- Why They Win the East: Dallas features the NFL's #8 scoring offense at 28.5 points per game, supported by a +9 point differential and a passing game producing 220.5 yards per game. This is without George Pickens going off...yet.
- The Outlook: Prescott breaking franchise records and looking comfortable in the pocket gives Big D the edge in a tightly contested divisional race.
1. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
NFC West Champion - No. 1 Seed
- The Drivers: Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Fred Warner have the 49ers looking like the undisputed heavyweights of football.
- Why They Own the Top Seed: San Francisco boasts a league-dominating +42 point differential, pairing the #5 scoring offense (31.0 PPG) with the #3 scoring defense (10.0 PPG allowed).
- The Outlook: Coming off convincing wins over the Rams in Australia and Miami at home, Kyle Shanahan’s group is primed to secure home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
7. Los Angeles Chargers (0-2)
AFC Wildcard (No. 7 Seed)
- The Drivers: Franchise signal-caller Justin Herbert and head coach Jim Harbaugh are too talented to stay down for long despite an agonizing 0-2 start.
- Why They Bounce Back: Los Angeles features elite individual pieces, and their defense generates a solid 25.4% pressure rate while their offense finds its footing.
- The Outlook: Expect Harbaugh to clean up pre-snap penalties and reliance on the run game, leading a furious mid-season surge to claim the final AFC playoff spot.
6. Baltimore Ravens (1-1)
AFC Wildcard (No. 6 Seed)
- The Drivers: Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, ageless wonder Derrick Henry, and wideout Zay Flowers command a high-octane offense producing 409.0 total yards per game (4th in the NFL).
- Why They Snag Seed 6: Baltimore averages 29.0 points per game, utilizing a dominant power-run scheme (155.0 rushing yards per game) that wears down opposing fronts in the second half.
- The Outlook: While late-game defensive slip-ups cost them in Week 2, the Ravens' raw offensive firepower ensures they remain a postseason lock.
5. New England Patriots (1-1)
AFC Wildcard (No. 5 Seed)
- The Drivers: Mike Vrabel’s defense has been an absolute force, yielding an NFL-best 8.0 points per game (16 total points allowed) after thrashing Pittsburgh 20-3 in Week 2.
- Why They Snag Seed 5: Behind third-year quarterback Drake Maye and the two-headed backfield monster of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, the Patriots are playing complementary, low-turnover football backed by 6 sacks and an opponent scoring frequency of just 18.2%.
- The Outlook: New England's defense will keep them competitive in every single game this autumn, locking down a premier wildcard spot.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
AFC South Champion - No. 4 Seed
- The Drivers: Trevor Lawrence, Josh Hines-Allen, and Travon Walker anchor a high-upside roster that boasts a positive +17 point differential despite a tight Week 2 drop against Denver.
- Why They Win the South: Jacksonville fields a top-ten defense, allowing just 15.0 points per game (30 total points allowed), holding opponents to a 29.5% pressure rate upfront.
- The Outlook: In a division where Houston and Indianapolis are sitting at 0-2, the Jaguars' defensive foundation gives them the highest floor in the AFC South.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)
AFC North Champion - No. 3 Seed
- The Drivers: Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase lead a balanced, cold-blooded squad that just went into Houston and delivered a decisive 20-6 road victory.
- Why They Win the North: Al Golden’s defense has allowed zero passing touchdowns through two weeks, tying for the NFL lead with 8 sacks, a +3 turnover differential, and a stingy 16.5 points per game allowed.
- The Outlook: Cincy's defense is playing with a mean streak while Burrow protects the football, making them the clear favorite to capture the AFC North crown.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)
AFC West Champion - No. 2 Seed
- The Drivers: Patrick Mahomes, Kenneth Walker III, and Travis Kelce are operating Andy Reid's offense at a staggering pace, leading the entire NFL in total offense with 457.5 yards per game.
- Why They Win the West: Kansas City is averaging 32.0 points per game (3rd in NFL), backed by Walker's elite backfield production (117 rushing yards in Week 2) and a defense surrendering just 162.5 passing yards per game.
- The Outlook: The Chiefs survived an overtime thriller against Indianapolis in Week 2, proving their championship DNA remains fully intact in close fourth-quarter battles.
1. Buffalo Bills (2-0)
AFC East Champion - No. 1 Seed
- The Drivers: Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills look like an unstoppable offensive freight train through two weeks, holding down the league's #1 scoring offense at 38.5 points per game (77 total points).
- Why They Own the Top Seed: Buffalo leads the AFC with 427.5 total yards per game, combining Allen's deep-ball mastery with a physical ground attack that is converting on 61.9% of their offensive possessions.
- The Outlook: With a +15 point differential and the early tiebreaker over rival contenders, Buffalo is the team to beat for the AFC's coveted lone first-round bye.
It's Your Turn: Which Teams Make the NFL Playoffs This Year?
Sound Off in the Great Playoff Debate: Who Makes the Field?

We've laid out our full 14-team NFL playoff projections heading into Week 3, but now it's your turn to debate the board!
- THE AFC HEAVYWEIGHT: Do the Buffalo Bills hold onto the No. 1 overall seed, or will Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs take over the conference?
- 0-2 SURGE: Can Justin Herbert and the LA Chargers overcome their slow start to steal the #7 seed in the AFC?
- NFC CONTENDERS: Are the San Francisco 49ers the runaway favorite for the NFC's top seed, or can the Dallas Cowboys or LA Rams challenge them?
Drop your hot takes and playoff projections in the comments!
Predicting the NFL's 14 Playoff Teams for the 2026 Season
Road to Super Bowl LXI: Predicting the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Heading Into Week 3

Two weeks of the 2026 NFL season are in the books, and while September football is notorious for wild overreactions, early-season contenders are already showing their true colors. From high-powered offensive engines putting up video-game numbers to suffocating defenses turning money downs into nightmare scenarios, the playoff picture is starting to take shape across both conferences.

Heading into Week 3, here is our projection for how the 14-team NFL playoff field will stack up come January.

Predicting the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Going Into Week 3

Sound Off in the Great Playoff Debate: Who Makes the Field?

Road to Super Bowl LXI: Predicting the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Heading Into Week 3

NFC Wildcard (No. 7 Seed)

NFC Wildcard (No. 6 Seed)

NFC Wildcard (No. 5 Seed)

NFC South Champion - No. 4 Seed

NFC North Champion - No. 3 Seed

NFC East Champion - No. 2 Seed

NFC West Champion - No. 1 Seed

AFC Wildcard (No. 7 Seed)

AFC Wildcard (No. 6 Seed)

AFC Wildcard (No. 5 Seed)

AFC South Champion - No. 4 Seed

AFC North Champion - No. 3 Seed

AFC West Champion - No. 2 Seed

AFC East Champion - No. 1 Seed

Sound Off in the Great Playoff Debate: Who Makes the Field?

Road to Super Bowl LXI: Predicting the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Heading Into Week 3

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