We're now entering Week 9 of the 2026 NFL Season. The AFC Playoff Picture honestly appears to be set in terms of the teams, as there is a clear divide after the seven playoff squads. The real remaining questions may be in the NFC right now.
With the trade deadline approaching, those teams that view themselves as contenders will and at least will attempt to make some sort of move to put their team over the edge. With, roughly, the entire second half of the season left to play, there is also still time for fireworks.
Let's dive into a prediction for how we think the playoffs could shake out using the current playoff field.
Predicting the entire NFL Playoffs using the current NFL Playoff Picture
AFC Playoff Teams
1. Buffalo Bills (6-1)
The Buffalo Bills have a top-notch offense and could ride their high-scoring unit through the playoffs. They sit in the No. 1 seed right now.
2. Denver Broncos (6-2)
The Denver Broncos own the No. 2 seed right now and would, if the standings hold, win the AFC West for a second year in a row.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2)
The Jacksonville Jaguars love blowing out teams and have been one of the best teams in the NFL since the halfway mark of the 2025 season. They could runaway with the AFC South title in 2026.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Pittsburgh is a high-floor, low-ceiling team that does have a major shortcoming at quarterback, but for right now, they're in a top-4 seed and would have a home playoff game.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)
The Kansas City Chiefs won six games all of 2025 and are likely to earn their sixth win of the year in Week 9. Still very much alive in the AFC West, the Chiefs sit in the No. 5 seed and would travel in the Wild Card Round.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
Cincinnati's improved defense could be the one thing that helps this team make a deep playoff run, and it feels like it's only a matter of time before they surpass the Steelers in the AFC North standings.
7. New England Patriots (5-3)
The New England Patriots went 14-3 last year and already have three losses in eight games this year, but with Drake Maye heating up, the team could begin a lengthy winning streak and challenge for the AFC East crown.
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