Every week for the duration of the 2026 regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the NFL‘s ever-evolving playoff picture − typically starting Sunday afternoon and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Monday’s and Thursday’s games or Saturday’s, if applicable. And, when the holidays roll around, we’ll be watching then, too).
What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, Jan. 10.
Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 5: Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love carries the ball against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals wore their all-black alternate uniform for the game.
(Matt Kartozian, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 5: Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love carries the ball against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals wore their all-black alternate uniform for the game.
(Matt Kartozian, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 5: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) hands the ball to running back Rhamondre Stevenson against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium. New England wore its legendary “Pat Patriot” throwback for the 45-17 win.
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 5: Green Bay Packers running back Marshawn Lloyd (32) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers debuted their “Rivalries” uniforms – featuring a color palette has been slightly altered with “desaturated vintage green” jerseys and “alabaster” pants and helmets trimmed with the team’s familiar gold. The Packers won the game over their ancient rivals, 31-7.
(Wm. Glasheen/Appleton Post-Cresc, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 4: Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates with AJ Dillon (28) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the “Sunday Night Football” game at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers wore their all-black alternate uniforms for the game.
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 4: New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston throws during a 36-24 win against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium. The Giants wore throwback uniforms reminiscent of the team’s look in the 1980s on a day when the team celebrated its Super Bowl championship during the 1986 season.
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 4: Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns wore their “Alpha Dawg” alternate uniform for the “Thursday Night Football” game.
(Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 3: Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader (3) celebrates with long snapper Luke Rhodes (46) after Shrader kicked a 58-yard field goal against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts debuted their “Anvil Strike” uniform – featuring an unfamiliar gray uniform and glossy, metallic blue helmet with the familiar horseshoe logo in white. The Colts won, 19-17, for their first win of the season.
(Grace Hollars, IndyStar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
(Gregory Fisher, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 3: Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten pulls the train horn after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots at EverBank Stadium. The Jaguars wore throwback uniforms harkening back to the team’s look during its expansion season in 1995 for the 35-6 win.
(Doug Engle, Florida Times-Union, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 2: Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands the ball to running back Kyren Williams (23) during a 28-6 win on “Monday Night Football” against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium. The Rams debuted their new “Classic Sol” uniforms, an homage to the team’s look during its 1951 championship season.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 2: Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys wore their “Arctic White” uniforms for the 37-20 win.
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
(Matt Kartozian, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 2: The Baltimore Ravens’ Trey Hendrickson (91) reacts after a sack against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens wore their “White Noise” uniforms, just one of the team’s new uniform combinations that will debut during the 2026 season. The Ravens lost the game, 24-17.
(James Lang, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 2: New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. The Jets debuted their “White Out” uniforms for their home opener, which ended in a 20-17 overtime loss.
(Brad Penner, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 1: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) drops back to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during a “Monday Night Football” game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos have utilized the “Summit White” look just once before, during a win over the AFC West rival Chiefs on Christmas Day 2025.
(Denny Medley, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 1: Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) rushes against the Green Bay Packers during a 39-22 win at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings sported their “Vikings Classic” throwback uniforms, an homage to the team’s look during its inaugural season and one it has used since the 2023 season.
(Matt Krohn, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 1: Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young looks to throw against the Chicago Bears during a 59-37 loss at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers sported the uniform combo for just the fourth time ever.
(Jim Dedmon, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2026 NFL season
Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paycor Stadium. The Bengals went “Open in Orange” for the season opener, which was a 33-27 victory.
(Katie Stratman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
NFC playoff picture
1. San Francisco 49ers (7-1), NFC West leaders: A surprisingly comfortable margin in what was the league’s best division last year could be tested in the coming weeks. Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, vs. Vikings [at Mexico City], vs. Seahawks, at Giants, vs. Rams, at Chargers, at Chiefs, vs. Eagles, at Cardinals
2. Chicago Bears (7-2), NFC North leaders: Don’t get too comfortable, fellas − the fourth-place Pack are only a game back. Remaining schedule: BYE, vs. Saints, at Lions, vs. Jaguars, at Dolphins, at Bills, vs. Packers, vs. Lions, at Vikings
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3. New York Giants (5-3-1), NFC East leaders: While they remain in relative control of the division, they let a win slip away against the Washington Commanders on Thursday night − a loss that brought the G-Men closer to the second-place Dallas Cowboys (4-5). Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars, at Colts, vs. 49ers, at Seahawks, vs. Browns, at Lions, at Cowboys, vs. Eagles
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 12: J.J. McCarthy #18 of the New York Giants calls out a play during the first quarter of the game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium on November 12, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
4. Carolina Panthers (3-5), NFC South leaders: Their 1-1 record in divisional games currently gives them the edge over New Orleans (0-1) − though that goes out the window when they play for the first time this season on Sunday. Remaining schedule: at Saints, vs. Ravens, at Buccaneers, at Vikings, vs. Saints, vs. Bengals, at Steelers, vs. Seahawks, at Falcons
5. Detroit Lions (6-2),wild card No. 1: Their Week 8 win over Minnesota currently confers the slight seeding advantage, one they’ll try to maintain in Germany on Sunday. Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots [at Munich], vs. Buccaneers, vs. Bears, at Falcons, vs. Titans, at Vikings, vs. Giants, at Bears, at Packers
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6. Minnesota Vikings (6-2), wild card No. 2: A two-game slide has dropped them off the pace, which is why QB Kirk Cousins has returned to pick it up − and with a key matchup out of the gate Sunday at Lambeau Field. Remaining schedule: at Packers, vs. 49ers [at Mexico City], vs. Falcons, vs. Panthers, at Patriots, vs. Lions, vs. Commanders, at Jets, vs. Bears
7. Green Bay Packers (6-3), wild card No. 3: Is this really going to be the fourth straight season they finish as the NFC’s final wild-card entry? Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings, BYE, at Rams, at Saints, vs. Bills, vs. Dolphins, at Bears, vs. Texans, vs. Lions
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Brad Penner, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Brad Penner, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Joseph Maiorana, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Eric Hartline, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Wesley Hitt, Getty Images)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Luke Hales, Getty Images)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(James Lang, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
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NFL trade deadline: These players are on the move in 2026
(Eric Hartline, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
AFC playoff picture
1. Buffalo Bills (7-1), AFC East leaders: They’ve never had home-field advantage during the Josh Allen era. May as well get it in the first year they’re in their glorious new stadium. Remaining schedule: at Jets, vs. Dolphins, vs. Chiefs, at Patriots, at Packers, vs. Bears, at Broncos, at Dolphins, vs. Jets
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2. Denver Broncos (7-2), AFC West leaders: Statistically, they have the AFC’s easiest remaining schedule, which could mean a second straight No. 1 seed. Remaining schedule: BYE, vs. Raiders, at Steelers, vs. Dolphins, at Jets, at Raiders, vs. Bills, at Patriots, vs. Chargers
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2), AFC South leaders: A better record in AFC games currently has them ahead of Pittsburgh. A roster reloaded ahead of the trade deadline and a weak division could keep the Jags there. Remaining schedule: at Titans, at Giants, vs. Titans, at Bears, vs. Steelers, at Texans, at Cowboys, vs. Commanders, at Colts
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2), AFC North leaders: First place is on the line Sunday night in the Queen City. Remaining schedule: at Bengals, at Eagles, vs. Broncos, vs. Texans, at Jaguars, vs. Ravens, vs. Panthers, at Titans, at Ravens
5. Kansas City Chiefs (6-2), wild card No. 1: Their 6-1 record in AFC games gives them a strong start in the tiebreaker department if they can’t get back in front of Denver in the AFC West. Remaining schedule: at Falcons, vs. Cardinals, at Bills, at Rams, at Bengals, vs. Patriots, vs. 49ers, at Chargers, vs. Raiders
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6. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2), wild card No. 2: They will move atop the AFC North on Sunday night if they can salvage a season split with Pittsburgh. Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers, at Commanders, vs. Saints, at Browns, vs. Chiefs, at Panthers, at Colts, vs. Ravens, vs. Browns
7. New England Patriots (5-4), wild card No. 3: A two-game edge on the Browns in AFC games currently gives the reigning conference champs the last projected postseason spot in this year’s field. Remaining schedule: vs. Lions [at Munich], BYE, at Chargers, vs. Bills, vs. Vikings, at Chiefs, at Jets, vs. Broncos, vs. Dolphins