NFL Playoff Picture for January 2026 & Which Games Have Highest Stakes Today (January 4)

There’s a full slate of NFL games on today, but currently, only 2 games have real NFL playoff implications.

All the games “matter” when it comes to standing in the NFL draft, which takes place every April. Today will solidify that draft order, with the teams with the worst records picking early and the teams with better records picking later on.

We’re taking a look at the current NFL playoff picture.

Keep reading to find out more…

Scroll down for the playoff picture as of Sunday (January 4) ahead of the games:

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AFC Playoffs

Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winner)
New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winner)
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South up for grabs)
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North up for grabs)
Houston Texans (11-5)
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
Buffalo Bills (11-5)

In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

NFL Playoffs

Seattle Seahawks (14-3, NFC West winner)
Chicago Bears (11-5, NFC North winner)
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winner)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9, NFC South up for grabs)
San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
Green Bay Packers (9-6-1)

In the hunt: Carolina Panthers (8-9)

*Teams in Italics are guarenteed playoff spot.

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Today, a few games have playoff implications.

AFC North Playoff Spot:

The Sunday Night Football matchup tonight is a big one: it’s Steelers vs. Ravens and whoever wins is in the playoffs and whoever loses is not.

NFC South Playoff Spot:

The Buccaneers and Panthers played last night, and they are now dependent on a different team’s game to determine which team will be in the playoffs!

The Falcons play the Saints, and if the Falcons lose, the Bucs are in. If the Falcons win, the Panthers are in.

AFC 1 Seed:

The AFC 1 Seed is currently up for grabs. If the Broncos win, they’re the 1 seed and get a first round playoff “Bye” week.

If the Broncos lose and the Patriots win, they get the 1 seed.

If the Broncos and Patriots lose, and the Jaguars win, they’ll get the 1 seed!