NFL playoff bracket 2026 features Seahawks, Broncos getting first-round byes

The 2026 NFL playoff bracket is set with historic implications. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks claimed the top seeds after posting identical 14-3 records. Both franchises now enjoy first-round byes, resting key players while 12 other teams battle through wild card weekend. This marks a rare moment when two no. 1 seeds reshape the postseason landscape heading into divisional round matchups on January 17-18.

Historic Connection: Two No. 1 Seeds Dominate the AFC and NFC

The Denver Broncos captured the AFC’s top seed after finishing 14-3 under head coach Sean Payton. This record ties the franchise’s best performance from 1998, marking a remarkable turnaround for a team seeking redemption in the postseason.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks not only earned the NFC’s no. 1 seed but set a new franchise record at 14-3. Head coach Mike Macdonald, in his inaugural season, orchestrated a dramatic turnaround that took the team from a two-year playoff absence to Super Bowl contention. The Seahawks’ success signals a cultural transformation under the second-year coach.

What Does the First-Round Bye Mean for Contenders

The first-round bye provides elite teams with significant advantages heading into playoff football. Both the Broncos and Seahawks skip wild card action, gaining crucial rest and recovery time for injured players.

This strategy allows teams to maintain focus without playoff pressure in week one. The divisional round matchups begin January 17-18, creating a wait period where the top seeds prepare tactics while analyzing remaining wild card winners. Home field advantage throughout the playoffs belongs to the no. 1 seeds, a massive factor in postseason momentum.

Playoff Bracket Details, Matchups, and Wild Card Winners

The 14-team playoff field includes seven from the AFC and seven from the NFC. Wild card action saw competitive matchups that determined divisional round opponents for the top seeds.

The Broncos will face the lowest-seeded wild card survivor when divisional play begins. Similarly, the Seahawks await their divisional opponent after wild card conclusions. This bracket structure ensures the most deserving teams get home field advantage while rewarding strong regular-season performances.

Seed	AFC	NFC
#1	Denver Broncos 14-3	Seattle Seahawks 14-3
#2	New England Patriots 13-4	Chicago Bears 11-6
#3	Jacksonville Jaguars 13-4	Philadelphia Eagles 11-6
Notes	First-round bye secures home advantage	Top two seeds skip wild card round

“The bye in the AFC will be going to the Broncos, who clinched the No. 1 seed with a 19-3 win over the Chargers, and they’ll have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.”

— According to NFL.com and official sources, the Broncos locked down AFC’s top seed

Quarterback Leadership Driving Two Powerhouse Franchises

Bo Nix, the Denver Broncos second-year quarterback, has become the architect of this playoff run. Nix won Senior Bowl Rookie of the Year honors last season and continues silencing doubters in 2025. His clutch performances throughout the regular season solidified the Broncos as legitimate championship contenders despite playoff skeptics ranking him lower among postseason quarterbacks.

The Seahawks feature their own dynamic quarterback and offensive weapons that powered them to 28.4 points per game (3rd in the NFL). Coach Mike Macdonald transformed the offensive scheme, turning a team that missed the playoffs for two years into the NFC’s top seed.

Will the Seahawks and Broncos race to Super Bowl LX on February 8?

Oddsmakers have made the Seahawks the overall Super Bowl LX favorites at varying outlets between +330 to +420 odds. This positions Seattle as the team most likely to win it all. The Broncos, while respectable title contenders at +650 odds, sit behind other AFC teams in some projections.

Yet playoff history proves seeding and odds don’t guarantee outcomes. The divisional round matchups beginning January 17-18 will reveal whether these top-seeded powerhouses can maintain momentum or stumble to hungry wild card survivors hungry for upset victories.

Sources

• ESPN – 2025 NFL playoff bracket, schedule, and divisional round matchups
• NFL.com – Official playoff standings and first-round bye confirmations
• USA Today – Seahawks and Broncos 14-3 records and AFC, NFC seeding