Dated fallback snapshot. Records and calculations use September 30, 2026 data, not verified live standings.

POSTSEASON PLAYBOOK / 2026

Playoff bracket

The field today. The finish you choose.

Recorded results only. Regular-season predictions excluded.

Unpicked games are omitted. This standings-based field is provisional—not a season forecast or confirmed qualification.

Postseason winners below are your separate hypothetical picks. Changed fields or matchups clear affected playoff picks.

Chicago Bears · In this field · #6 seed

AFC

1–4 DIVISION LEADERS · 5–7 WILD CARDS

Swipe to see each round →

Wild card

#1 BYEChiefs3–0

#2 hosts

#3 hosts

#4 hosts

Divisional

#1 hosts lowest surviving seed

MATCHUP TBD

#1 hosts lowest surviving seed · choose all 3 wild cards

MATCHUP TBD

Other two wild-card winners · reseeded

Conference final

Higher seed hosts

MATCHUP TBD

Choose both divisional winners

NFC

1–4 DIVISION LEADERS · 5–7 WILD CARDS

Swipe to see each round →

Wild card

#1 BYEVikings3–0

#2 hosts

#3 hosts

#4 hosts

Divisional

#1 hosts lowest surviving seed

MATCHUP TBD

#1 hosts lowest surviving seed · choose all 3 wild cards

MATCHUP TBD

Other two wild-card winners · reseeded

Conference final

Higher seed hosts

MATCHUP TBD

Choose both divisional winners

AFC CHAMPION × NFC CHAMPION

Super Bowl

Neutral site · Your hypothetical finish

MATCHUP TBD

Choose the AFC and NFC champions · neutral site

Change regular-season results

Full Scenario Builder

Shared regular-season predictions change records immediately in “With your picks.” Current results ignores them. Completed games stay locked.

NYJ at CHI

Sun, Oct 4, 5:00 PM UTC

Bracket rules & sources

Seven teams per conference. Seeds 2/7, 3/6 and 4/5 meet in the wild card; #1 gets a bye. After all three winners are selected, #1 hosts the lowest remaining seed. Higher seeds host the other divisional game and conference final. Original seeds stay with each team; no postseason ties.

The connecting paths merge at reseeding—they do not promise a fixed opponent. Standings use the same modeled tiebreakers as the rest of Playoff Pulse.

Independent app. Not affiliated with the NFL. No official qualification or champion claims.