NFL Divisional Playoffs - Recap

The NFL Divisional Round of the 2025-2026 playoffs was a rollercoaster of heart-pounding drama, shocking blowouts, and gut-wrenching injuries that left fans breathless. From overtime thrillers to dominant demolitions, the weekend of January 17-18, 2026, whittled the field down to four battle-tested teams ready to clash for conference supremacy and a ticket to Super Bowl LX.

AFC: Denver Broncos 33, Buffalo Bills 30 (OT)

What started as a gritty, back-and-forth war at Empower Field at Mile High exploded into pure chaos. Rookie sensation Bo Nix dazzled early, unleashing aggressive deep shots against Buffalo's man coverage and carving up the secondary with precision. The Broncos' defense turned the tide by forcing five takeaways from Josh Allen—unleashing havoc on an offense that had been lights-out all season. Momentum swung wildly with interceptions, fumbles, and Allen's costly miscues piling up. In a nail-biting finish, Denver drove late in regulation to tie it, only for Nix to suffer a devastating broken ankle on the final drive of overtime. Backup Jarrett Stidham steadied the ship, and kicker Will Lutz drilled a clutch 23-yard field goal to seal the OT victory. For Buffalo, it was another heartbreaking close-call exit—extending their streak of playoff heartbreak.

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NFC: Seattle Seahawks 41, San Francisco 49ers 6

At Lumen Field, the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks unleashed fury on an injury-ravaged San Francisco squad in one of the most lopsided playoff routs in recent memory. QB Sam Darnold, shaking off a late-week oblique tweak, played mistake-free football—efficient, poised, and leaning heavily on Seattle's elite supporting cast. The defense was ferocious from the jump, jumping to a three-score lead before halftime and never looking back. Kenneth Walker III bulldozed for 116 rushing yards, while the unit racked up sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles. Brock Purdy and the 49ers had no answers against Mike Macdonald's suffocating scheme. Seattle tied a franchise record for most the lopsided playoff win, turning what could have been a rivalry battle into a statement demolition.

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AFC: New England Patriots 28, Houston Texans 16

Back in Foxborough, the New England Patriots channeled classic grit to outlast the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. QB Drake Maye had his ups and downs—some sloppy throws mixed with big-moment magic—but the offense delivered when it mattered most. A highlight-reel 32-yard one-handed touchdown grab by Kayshon Boutte swung momentum and extended the lead. The real heroes? New England's defense, which smothered C.J. Stroud and forced turnovers in key spots. Late in the game, linebacker Robert Spillane's acrobatic pass breakup on a deep Stroud heave sealed the deal. Houston's young star QB faltered under pressure, leading to a meltdown that handed New England their first AFC Championship berth in years despite offensive inconsistencies.

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NFC: Los Angeles Rams 20, Chicago Bears 17 (OT)

Soldier Field hosted an instant classic as the No. 5 Los Angeles Rams survived a ferocious challenge from the Chicago Bears in frigid overtime. Veteran Matthew Stafford orchestrated clutch drives with poise, while RB Kyren Williams provided a reliable ground attack. Chicago's Caleb Williams flashed superstar potential—capping a late TD to Cole Kmet with flair—but the Bears' magic fizzled in the extra period. The Rams' defense made timely stands, and a grinding OT drive ended with a decisive score to escape with the 20-17 win. As road warriors, L.A. proved they're the NFC's most resilient remaining contender.

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Conference Championships: January 25, 2026

High-Stakes Showdowns Await

The final four are set for epic battles, each loaded with massive challenges and storylines.

AFC Championship: No. 2 New England Patriots at No. 1 Denver Broncos (3:00 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+) Denver hosts in the thin air of Mile High, but the Broncos face their toughest test yet: starting backup Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix's season-ending ankle injury. Sean Payton's genius scheming carried them this far, but can a journeyman QB execute against New England's opportunistic defense? The Patriots bring "Patriot Way" resilience—Drake Maye’s growth, a stingy unit that forced errors from Stroud, and veteran poise. Denver's turnover-forcing defense must contain Maye’s mobility, while New England looks to exploit any rust or inexperience from Stidham. Altitude, injuries, and experience collide in what could be a low-scoring defensive slugfest.

NFC Championship: No. 5 Los Angeles Rams at No. 1 Seattle Seahawks (6:30 p.m. ET, FOX) A heated NFC West rematch heads to Lumen Field, where Seattle's home dominance has been unstoppable. The Seahawks boast the league's top seed, Sam Darnold's steady hand, a ferocious defense, and Kenneth Walker's explosive run game. Their challenge: containing Matthew Stafford's playoff magic and the Rams' battle-tested roster. L.A., as road underdogs, counters with experience—Stafford's poise under pressure, Kyren Williams' reliability, and a defense that's risen in big moments. Seattle must avoid complacency after their blowout win, while the Rams aim to flip the script on a divisional foe that has owned them recently. Expect physicality, turnovers, and potential for fireworks in the Pacific Northwest.

The winners advance to Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. With quarterbacks under the spotlight, defenses dominating, and legacies on the line, these conference title games promise edge-of-your-seat intensity. Who will rise to the ultimate challenge?