You’ve felt it. That weird, empty Sunday where there’s no local game on, and suddenly the realization hits that the regular season is over. It’s a bittersweet moment. But let’s be real, the "real" season hasn't even begun yet. If you're looking for the exact moment the chaos begins, when nfl playoffs start is officially Saturday, January 10, 2026.
It isn't just a single kickoff. It’s a literal tidal wave of football.
The NFL changed the game a few years back by expanding the field to 14 teams. This means "Super Wild Card Weekend" is now a three-day marathon. Honestly, if you aren't prepared for the Monday night playoff game, it’ll catch you off guard. We used to just have Saturday and Sunday. Not anymore.
The Wild Card Weekend Madness
So, January 10. That’s the big day. The NFC kicks things off at 4:30 p.m. ET with the No. 5 Los Angeles Rams heading into Charlotte to face the No. 4 Carolina Panthers. It’s wild seeing the Panthers hosting a playoff game again, their first at Bank of America Stadium since 2015.
Immediately after that, at 8:00 p.m. ET, things get gritty. The Chicago Bears are hosting the Green Bay Packers. This one is huge because it's a Prime Video exclusive. If you’re used to just flipping on local cable, you’re going to be scrambling for your login.
🔗 Read more: Current Champions in Boxing: What Most People Get Wrong About the Belts
Sunday, January 11, is where the traditionalists get their fix.
- 1:00 p.m. ET: Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars (CBS/Paramount+)
- 4:30 p.m. ET: San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles (FOX)
- 8:00 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots (NBC/Peacock)
The 49ers and Eagles matchup is basically a heavyweight title fight. Tom Brady is actually in the booth for that one, which adds a whole different layer of "expert" energy to the broadcast. Then, to wrap the first round, the Houston Texans visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, January 12.
Why the Start Date Matters for Your Bracket
Most fans forget that the No. 1 seeds—this year the Denver Broncos in the AFC and the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC—don't even touch the field during the start of the playoffs. They're sitting at home, resting, watching everyone else bruise each other up.
There's a massive advantage to that bye week. Historically, since the 14-team format took over, those top seeds have a much higher probability of making the Conference Championships simply because they avoid the "win or go home" stress of that first weekend.
The Road to Super Bowl LX
Once the Wild Card smoke clears, we hit the Divisional Round on January 17 and 18. This is where the Broncos and Seahawks finally join the party.
The schedule for the Divisional games is always a bit fluid until the seeds are finalized, but we know the windows. Saturday has a 4:30 p.m. and an 8:15 p.m. slot. Sunday follows with 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. kickoffs. It’s a brutal, high-speed gauntlet.
By the time we hit the Conference Championships on January 25, the field is down to four. The AFC game usually takes the early 3:00 p.m. slot on CBS, followed by the NFC on FOX at 6:30 p.m.
Key Dates to Circle on Your Calendar
If you're planning a party or just trying to avoid being scheduled for a double shift, these are the non-negotiables:
Saturday, January 10, 2026: The official start of the NFL playoffs.
January 17-18, 2026: Divisional Round (The heavy hitters enter).
January 25, 2026: Conference Championships.
February 8, 2026: Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Basically, from the second week of January until the second week of February, your Sundays belong to the shield.
What Most Fans Get Wrong
One thing people often overlook is the "Monday Night Football" playoff game. It’s still relatively new in the grand scheme of NFL history. People assume the round is over on Sunday night.
If you stop paying attention after the Sunday night game, you'll miss a quarter of the AFC bracket movement. This year, that Monday night game features the Texans and the Steelers. It’s a fascinating matchup because both teams have been scrappy all year, and playing on a Monday means they’ll have a shorter week heading into the Divisional round if they win.
Nuance matters here. A team like Houston winning on Monday night is great, but they have to travel and play again just five days later if they get slotted into a Saturday Divisional game. That’s a massive disadvantage that the league doesn't really talk about much, but the coaches certainly do.
Ready for Kickoff?
Knowing when nfl playoffs start is just the first step. You need to make sure your streaming apps are updated—specifically Peacock for the Patriots/Chargers game and Prime Video for the Packers/Bears clash.
If you’re planning to attend a game, keep an eye on the "flex" potential. While the dates are set, the specific times can sometimes shift slightly based on TV demands, though the NFL tries to lock these in at least a week in advance.
The best way to prepare is to clear your schedule for that Saturday afternoon on January 10. Once that first ball is kicked in Carolina, there's no turning back.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your subscriptions for Prime Video and Paramount+ now so you aren't dealing with "forgotten password" issues five minutes before kickoff.
- If you're a betting person or a bracket fanatic, wait until the final injury reports drop on Friday, January 9, before locking in your Wild Card picks.
- Set your DVR for the ManningCast on ESPN2 for the Monday night game if you want a more "hangout" vibe than the standard broadcast.