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AFC Playoff Picture Set

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, January 18th 2026 at 0:58 GMT by Sporting News

AFC Contenders Emerge

In the American Football Conference (AFC), the New England Patriots secured the coveted top seed, granting them a bye and a guaranteed home-field advantage through the Divisional Round. Their path to the AFC Championship will depend on the outcome of the Wild Card games. The Los Angeles Chargers, facing a tough Kansas City Chiefs squad, begin their playoff journey Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. The Miami Dolphins, known for their explosive offense, will challenge the formidable Baltimore Ravens at 8:00 p.m. ET, also on CBS. Rounding out the Wild Card games in the AFC, the New York Jets, defying preseason expectations, will travel to Buffalo to face the Bills on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox. The Bills, a perennial contender, will be looking to assert their dominance and avenge any regular season losses.

The Divisional Round sees the winner of Chargers/Chiefs facing the Patriots, and the winner of Dolphins/Ravens battling the Bills. Dates and times remain to be determined (TBD), but broadcasts will be exclusively on CBS.

NFC Showdown Looms

On the National Football Conference (NFC) side, the Dallas Cowboys, boasting a strong defense and dynamic offense, claimed the number one seed. Their Divisional Round opponent will be determined by the Wild Card games. The Minnesota Vikings take on the Detroit Lions in a Saturday afternoon matchup at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox. The Lions, a team on the rise, will look to prove they belong amongst the NFC's elite. Later that same day, the Green Bay Packers challenge the Seattle Seahawks at 4:30 p.m. ET, also on Fox. The Seahawks, known for their strong passing game, will need to be at their best to overcome the Packers. Finally, the Atlanta Falcons will travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox. The 49ers, consistent contenders in recent years, are expected to pose a serious threat.

The NFC Divisional Round will pit the winner of Vikings/Lions against the Cowboys, and the winner of Packers/Seahawks against the 49ers, again with dates and times to be announced and broadcast on Fox.

Super Bowl Bound?

The Championship games will take place on Sunday, January 26th, with both conferences culminating in a battle to determine who advances to the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl itself, scheduled for Sunday, February 9th, promises to be a spectacle, broadcast nationally on CBS.

Staying Updated: Live Scores and TV Listings

For those eager to follow the action, live scores can be found at [ NFL Playoff Scores ]. Key television networks broadcasting the games are CBS and Fox. All times mentioned are Eastern Time.

This year's playoffs promise compelling narratives and unpredictable outcomes. With several teams having a legitimate chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, the road to the Super Bowl is sure to be a thrilling ride!