The NFL Playoffs are set, and Underdog has Super Bowl odds and lines for every game if you are in a prediction markets state (see below). Today's column will go into each team's pros and cons, before a prediction on how the entire playoff bracket unfolds. If you aren't into team-based games, then Underdog Fantasy also has NFL Playoffs Best Ball, which is a fantasy football game that goes until the Super Bowl.

2026 Super Bowl Odds

Notes: Odds are derived from current markets, then translated to add up to exactly 100% for content purposes below. Almost all data used in write-ups are from Weeks 9-17 of the regular season to weigh the most recent games played and to partially account for injuries.

1. Seattle Seahawks (17%) - NFC No. 1 Seed

   • Offense: It's a rollercoaster ride usually. They do move the chains consistently with the 5th-highest success rate and 9th-highest EPA per early-down play, but Seattle is prone to huge swings in both directions, too. They're 6th-best on play action and 8th-best against man coverage because Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are elite down the field. They're also 27th when pressured and 27th against DL stunts because the OL is suspect and Darnold can get spooked by unique coverages. The better the DC is, the more vulnerable they get, but for the most part, the Seahawks' offense is absolutely good enough to go the distance. They're 14th in EPA per play with a boom-bust running game, which nets as the No. 12 rushing EPA unit. Hopefully LT Charles Cross (hamstring) is healthy after the bye.

   • Defense: It's arguably the best. They're 1st in EPA per play, then nearly shut out the 49ers in Week 18's game for the bye. They are excellent in zone coverage (2nd in EPA), but it's the changeups that make them so lethal. The Seahawks are 1st in both EPA when changing the shell coverage after the snap and when blitzing. Hello, Mike MacDonald (my Coach of the Year btw). They don't have to blitz either, as their pass-rush is 8th in pressure rate without it. That's huge. Against the run, Seattle is 3rd in rushing EPA allowed, so there's really no clear answer to expose them. They have depth, versatility in the secondary, and the coaching staff to prepare tailored game plans in the playoffs.

   • Other: The Seahawks easily had the best point differential of 2025 and are amongst the best in Special Teams DVOA this entire decade. I'd also vote them as healthiest heading into the dance.

2. Los Angeles Rams (16%) - NFC No. 5 Seed

   • Offense: Without question, it's the best. That's 1st in success rate, early-down EPA, rushing EPA, rushing yards before contact, EPA against the blitz, and EPA against man coverage (Puka Nacua alert). They're also 2nd in EPA per play, pressure rate allowed, EPA against DL stunts, and EPA against zone coverage. In short, they are diverse in every way with Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford. They'll get Davante Adams (hamstring) back, but they use 3-TE sets as a bit with great success. The secret to their sauce is quietly having an all-time rushing success rate behind a powerful blocking unit that includes their TEs and WRs. The only potential weakness, assuming stud RG Kevin Dotson returns, is they're 12th in EPA when Stafford is pressured, but even that's not so bad and he's pressured at the 2nd-lowest rate.

   • Defense: This is a borderline top-5 unit again with do-everything SCB/SS Quentin Lake (and other CBs) back in the mix. Even largely without them, the Rams were 10th in EPA per play in the second half of the year. Their half seven is wicked smart and allows DC Chris Shula to throw funky looks while majoring in disciplined zone defense. The key to that working, however, is the Rams are 5th in pressure rate without a blitz, thanks to EDGE Byron Young (7th/127 in pressure rate), EDGE Jared Verse (18th), DT Kobie Turner (8th/130), and DT Braden Fiske (38th). Unlike the other top defenses, the Rams' outside corners are quite vulnerable, which is why they don't play much man and are 15th in EPA allowed on targets to WRs. Hopefully Emmanuel Forbes can get hot again.

   • Other: The Rams are 2nd in point differential this year, with their 5 losses totaling just -17 points.

3. Denver Broncos (11%) - AFC No. 1 Seed

   • Offense: The Broncos strength is absolutely across the OL. LT Garrett Bolles has a case for Protector of the Year, while Quinn Meinerz could be the best guard in the game. They are, however, potentially onto their 3rd-string C now, and the consistency on the ground has dipped going from veteran RB JK Dobbins to explosive rookie RJ Harvey. Since Week 9, the Broncos are 21st in rushing EPA despite being 7th in yards before contact. That could change in a hurry because getting the OL right is the hard part. Bo Nix and the pass game is where most of the headlines and upside lies. Nix is 25th when the coverage shell changes post-snap, and it feels like he's not seeing the field well for a playoff-caliber QB. He is insulated by coach Sean Payton's manufactured touches, the towering presence of Courtland Sutton, and his get out of jail card with his legs, however. The Broncos can't have Nix turn the ball over when (rarely) pressured, and they need to hit on their downfield passes to make up for sitting near league average (14th) when facing zone coverage. Overall, the Broncos' No. 15 ranking in EPA per play hurts but doesn't erase their odds of winning the Super Bowl. Only the Texans and Chargers are legitimately scary on defense within the conference.

   • Defense: Things quieted defensively without former-DPOY CB1 Patrick Surtain on IR, but he's back to full health now. Even without him since Week 9, the Broncos were 1st in success rate, only allowing a couple of explosives while blitzing or playing man without Surtain taking away WRs. They don't have to blitz very other because they are 2nd in pressure rate without blitzing thanks to Pro Bowl EDGE Nik Bonitto and the DL depth, which includes multiple quality interior pass rushers like Zach Allen, too. They stop the run with the No. 2 average depth of tackle and are even 2nd in EPA per target to RBs/TEs because their LBs and Ss can tackle very well. There isn't an obvious way to beat the Broncos defense right now with veteran DC Vance Joseph having elite talent to work with, and that's before factoring in the Broncos' home-field advantages with crowd noise and altitude.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (9%) - NFC No. 2 Seed

   • Offense: It's annoying. On the whole, Philly is just 18th in EPA and 25th in success rate since Week 9. That's not good enough with their stars, but there are 3 reasons for some hope. Elite RT Lane Johnson (foot) returns, HC Nick Sirianni has reportedly helped out OC Kevin Patullo this month, and Jalen Hurts has been hot in the playoffs before. I've seen more runaway routes for A.J. Brown, more play action shots to DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, and fewer shotgun runs to Saquon Barkley recently. If Johnson can give Hurts more confidence to stay in the pocket, they can return to top-10 status even if they won't push piles on the ground with their OL tired and worse. If things don't change immediately, ranking 14th in passing EPA and 25th in rushing EPA simply aren't good enough.

   • Defense: There could be four All Pro starters: DT Jalen Carter (hip), LB Zach Baun, CB Quinyon Mitchell, and SCB Cooper DeJean. They also have DT Jordan Davis and depth at both LB and EDGE with DC Vic Fangio calling plays. Philly is 2nd in EPA and success rate in the back half of the year with EDGE Jaelan Phillips (ankle) taking them to the next level. Statistically, it's the best zone pass defense, as they can erase opposing WR1s with Mitchell, slot WRs with DeJean, and RBs/TEs in the pass game with their backers. The lone primary weakness remains outside CB2, with a minor weakness against the run in their two-high scheme. The Eagles are 26th in tackle depth on carries.

5. New England Patriots (8%) - AFC No. 2 Seed

   • Offense: Drake Maye should be the MVP. The Patriots have a bad OL and mediocre skill group, yet Maye and my Assistant Coach of the Year Josh McDaniels have produced the No. 3 EPA and success rate offense since Week 9. They're 2nd in passing EPA and 3rd-best on early downs. When they need downfield magic off play action or on late downs, Maye can deliver with his arm and occasionally as a scrambler, too. The OL should rebound with LT Will Campbell back from injury (21st in pressure rate), but even under pressure, the Patriots are 3rd in EPA. When teams try to change the picture post-snap, Maye is 1st in EPA. Just so good. The ground game is also aided by Maye's abilities in the red zone, but they've sprung both Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson for multiple explosives in December. Even their rushing EPA, despite the low success rate, is 8th since Week 9.

   • Defense: All these stats will get better with $100M DT Milton Williams (ankle) just now returning from injury, to reunite with DT Christian Barmore, but they are the concerning part of the Patriots' future, especially considering this was one of the easiest schedules in the NFL. New England is just 29th in rushing EPA on the No. 27 average depth of tackle on carries. They simply can't stop the run right now and not having LB Robert Spillane would make matters worse. The good news is their pass defense is better. In zone, they are 14th in EPA allowed. In man, 12th. They can play both because they have a stud CB1 in Christian Gonzalez, but sometimes they need to send a blitzer because their pass rush is 15th in pressure rate without it. According to PFF, the Patriots' edge group is 31st in win rate without a blitz. It's hard to go the distance without a closer. Hopefully Williams and Barmore can be just that from the interior.

6. Buffalo Bills (8%) - AFC No. 6 Seed

   • Offense: The best (healthy) QB in the world has dragged a concerning pass-catching group to a No. 7 passing EPA ranking. Josh Allen was marvelous for most of the season, but they really need Dalton Kincaid (knee/hamstring) to get healthy or else there's too many targets to backup-caliber players, aside from slot-only Khalil Shakir. When they've faced man coverage, the Bills are only 18th in EPA per play. That's up to No. 4 against zone, so it's clearly a WR issue. The good news is Allen creates via scrambles and extended plays, and the OL is very strong in both phases with RT Spencer Brown back healthy. James Cook glides like his brother and gets to run behind the No. 8 yards before contact OL. It'll be a very balanced attack based on their personnel, but nothing is more key than Allen simply playing like the MVP. This team is worse than the peak Stefon Diggs years, but this may be his best chance with Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow having down years.

   • Defense: Who is healthy? DT Ed Oliver had meniscus surgery just as he was about to return from biceps surgery, so he's out and DT DaQuan Jones (calf) missed Week 18, too. The Bills' safety room has been depleted and would miss FS Jordan Poyer (hamstring) if he can't return. They've also lost depth at LB and EDGE. There are issues. Since Week 9, the Bills are 31st in rushing EPA allowed and 25th in pressure rate without a blitz. Not good enough. That said, their pass coverage has clear strengths. HC Sean McDermott produces great playoff game plans (they are 5th in EPA when changing the coverage shell post snap this year as evidence) and stud CB1 Christian Benford has helped the Bills rank 4th-best in EPA per play on targets to WRs. They typically slow down top targets and get shredded by everyone else.

7. Houston Texans (7%) - AFC No. 5 Seed

   • Offense: Their EPA per play is -0.007 removing the Davis Mills plays. That's 19th, and that is better than their success rate at 29th. A lot of that is just the run game, where Houston is 29th in EPA per play behind the No. 27 yards before contact OL. Woody Marks isn't good enough to make up for the blocking. CJ Stroud's dropbacks are much, much better. The Texans are 8th in EPA per dropback and 19th in success rate with QB1 available. Stroud has been a bit better out of structure with his play making, and the receivers have more juice now that Nico Collins is fully healthy and 2nd-round rookie Jayden Higgins is second in WR routes. They're far more explosive through the air than down-to-down consistent, however, and the Texans are 31st against man coverage since Week 9. Stroud to Collins is a top-8 QB-to-WR connection, but is that enough to upset teams on the road? That'd be asking far too much if not for the...

   • Defense: It's the best pass DL in football thanks to DPOY runner up EDGE Will Anderson. Houston is 1st in pressure rate with and without a blitz, then have the best tackle depth on carries. They have powerful DTs, EDGE2 Danielle Hunter and then rangy players everywhere in the secondary. It's possible CB1 Derek Stingley, CB2 Kamari Lassiter, S Jalen Pitre, and LB Azeez Al Shair all receive All Pro consideration. Most of the time, they just rush with four, play zone defense, and let offenses crumble. DeMeco Ryans will craft change ups off that when needed, but the only times they get in trouble are on some throws in man coverage (15th in EPA per play) and on some targets to TEs/RB (21st in EPA per target). Otherwise, the Texans are close to perfect; 4th in zone coverage and 4th against the run.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (6%) - AFC No. 3 Seed

   • Offense: Things really clicked. OC Liam Coen has leaned into what's worked, which has meant more passing and more throws over the middle. Trevor Lawrence set the Jaguars' single-season record with passing touchdowns, and they closed the second half of the season 5th in EPA per dropback. Lawrence's "oopsy" plays have subsided recently, and a combination of WR Jakobi Meyers via trade and promoting slot WR Parker Washington into the starting lineup unlocked easy throws. Coen deserves credit for evaluating Brian Thomas as the season progressed and for getting No. 3 EPA per target efficiency on throws to TEs/RBs. It's not always pretty, but Travis Etienne had a bounce-back season in both phases, too. The primary wart remains the OL. They're 22nd in pressure rate and 29th in yards before contact per carry. Hopefully playoff-caliber pass rushes don't make that more glaring.

   • Defense: The Jaguars have one of the quietest cases for a top-8 unit. Since Week 9, they're 5th in passing EPA, 7th in rushing EPA, 4th on early downs, and 3rd in zone coverage. That's all made possible by fringe All Pro EDGE Josh Hines-Allen as a pass rusher and then EDGE2 Travon Walker as a run stopper up front. LB Devin Lloyd broke out under new DC Anthony Campanile, who is a havoc creator with his pressure looks. The issue right now is an injured secondary, headlined by CB2 Travis Hunter and SCB Jourdan Lewis both being on IR. They were 1st in EPA per target to WRs in the back half of the season, but that's hard to replicate now and they were just 18th on targets to RBs/TEs. They should plug the run well no matter what.

9. Chicago Bears (4%) - NFC No. 3 Seed

   • Offense: Things clicked late. Since Week 9, the Bears are 4th in EPA per play, 4th in success rate, 4th on early downs, 6th on dropbacks, and 3rd on carries. That's balance. Ben Johnson has Caleb Williams playing better in structure, but Caleb's playmaking out of structure is a thing of beauty. That's 2nd in EPA per pressured dropback, 5th against the blitz, and 5th against zone coverage. He's so fast and even if he's a little late, his torque leads to impressive velo. The emergences of Colston Loveland and Luther Burden have made the Rome Odunze foot stress fracture less important, but Odunze's return gives them real 2- and 3-WR set versatility. The ground game is where the OL investments really paid off. They're 3rd in yards before contact, largely running behind stud RT Darnell Wright and veteran LG-C-RG combo Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson. D'Andre Swift's athleticism shines on zone cutbacks, while Kyle Monangai runs with a more down-hill style. The inexperience everywhere is concerning through the lens of these playoffs, but this offense is so far ahead of schedule that any postseason success is a massive cherry on top. I wouldn't rule that out either.

   • Defense: Injuries derailed things. The DL misses EDGE2 Dayo Odeyingbo and DT Shemar Stewart. The LB group misses Noah Sewell. The secondary desperately misses quality slot CB Kyler Gordon. Their issues keep linking back to being 27th in pressure rate. That then leads to being 25th in EPA allowed in man coverage and more blitzing than optimal. Ultimately, Chicago is 16th in EPA allowed on passes. Unfortunately, that's better than their ranking against the run (22nd). The Bears are also 30th in average depth of tackle on carries. Yikes. EDGE Montez Sweat is a fine centerpiece up front, but the trenches are just not good enough for DC Dennis Allen to properly work with.

10. Green Bay Packers (4%) - NFC No. 7 Seed

    • Offense: A few key injuries (TE Tucker Kraft, C Elgton Jenkins, RT Zach Tom) are spoiling what could've been in consideration for the best offense. If Tom returns, then the Packers' aerial offense can still operate. The Packers are 3rd in passing EPA per play and against man coverage because Jordan Love is a great downfield thrower and Christian Watson has been lethal. Love is also 1st in EPA when pressured and 6th against the blitz, so it's really just about avoiding the back-breaking zone INT. The ground game has been 22nd in rushing EPA due to the OL injuries, but they can close out games and run in short yardage with Josh Jacobs. If Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, or (even) Matthew Golden can make a couple splash plays, the Packers are good enough to upset anyone. Green Bay is 5th in EPA per play and 6th in success rate.

    • Defense: In the second half of the year, the Packers are just 24th in EPA per play. That's absolutely a EDGE Micah Parsons and DT Devonte Wyatt stat. PFF grades the Packers as 31st in pass rush without Parsons on the field this year. That's close to a disqualifier. The lack of a rush won't help them climb out of being 30th in EPA allowed on WR targets either, as their zone defense has given up free production short and to the perimeter for much of the year. Where they do have talent is up the spine of the defense, so they can be opportunistic and defend TEs/slots well. Parsons and Wyatt are just too much to overcome. Green Bay is also 23rd in average depth of tackle on runs, too.

11. San Francisco 49ers (4%) - NFC No. 6 Seed

    • Offense: Before stinking it up against the Seahawks in Week 18 without LT Trent Williams and Ricky Pearsall, the Niners were 1st in EPA throughout the second half of the year. They were 1st in passing EPA, 1st in EPA against zone, and 1st in EPA when targeting non-WRs (CMC and Kittle go brrr). Brock Purdy has looked healthy, but things are far more uncertain now that Purdy hit his hand on one of the final plays of the regular season, Pearsall is still fighting that PCL injury, and Williams was unable to practice at all before being ruled out. If all check out, they remain extremely dangerous, even if they can't push piles in the ground game on the No. 19 yards before contact. That lack of a quality OL hasn't stopped wizard HC Kyle Shanahan from a No. 4 ranking in EPA per carry. That's remarkable.

    • Defense: Without question, it's the worst of the playoffs. No EDGE Nick Bosa and LB Fred Warner are the headliners, but 1st-round EDGE Mykel Williams and backup LBs Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune further threaten their front-seven depth. Without blitzing, the 49ers are 32nd in pressure rate, and when they do blitz, the defense is just 25th in EPA per play. Things don't get better against the run either, as they're just 28th in EPA per carry, too. If they go on a run, they'll have to win shoot outs most likely.

12. Los Angeles Chargers (3%) - AFC No. 7 Seed

    • Offense: In the second half of the year largely without LT Joe Alt, the Chargers dropped to 24th in EPA per play on the No. 31 pressure rate (!!!) and No. 30 yards before contact on carries (!!!). The OL is simply worse than the skill group is good. Justin Herbert has navigated his Matador line and forgettable OC at a distant MVP level, while also throwing to inconsistent pass-catchers. LA is best using play action (9th in EPA) and when throwing hole shots down the field, but Herbert has added a career-high 461 scramble yards when the glass broke in case of emergency. Herbert explosives to Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Omarion Hampton have to hit at a high rate to have a chance against playoff-caliber pass rushes. Fill-in LT Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) being healthy is quietly a huge deal.

    • Defense: Everyone knows EDGE Khalil Mack and S Derwin James, but the Chargers have developed LB Daiyan Henley, CB Tarheeb Still, CB Benjamin St-Juste, and others in the back seven. They're 3rd in EPA per play against WR targets because their zone defense deflects passes and rarely has busts. They only get pressure at the 12th-best rate, but when they do get it, they're 2nd-best in EPA allowed. DC Jesse Minter is capable of change ups that create turnovers, but in general, it's a top-end "bend don't break" unit that's ultimately ranked No. 3 in the second half of the year.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (2%) - AFC No. 4 Seed

    • Offense: Coming soon.

    • Defense: Coming soon.

14. Carolina Panthers (1%) - NFC No. 4 Seed

    • Offense: Since Week 9, the Panthers are 18th in EPA on passes and 29th on carries. Their success rate is No. 26, too. Things fell off with their OL deteriorating; LG Chandler Zavala, C Brady Christensen, and elite RG Robert Hunt have been on IR. Hunt has a chance to return for the playoffs at less than full strength, but Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard have been shut down for too long to have much long-term hope. When they roll, that's the Panthers bread and butter. They usually only throw out of necessity, even if that's their best bet to move the ball right now. Bryce Young's anticipation throws to Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker are usually successful, but the pass-catcher depth beyond them and the occasional intermediate flutter from the QB, especially in unideal weather, keep the ceiling capped.

    • Defense: Likewise, the Panthers are mediocre on defense, to the tune of being 20th in EPA per play and 28th in success rate allowed. The real issue is through the air. Only the Commanders, Cardinals, and Jets (all terrible units) are worse than Carolina in passing success rate (51%). The issue isn't their CB1 play either, as Jaycee Horn is good enough for All Pro consideration. It's their LBs, CB2, SCB, and S play. Teams know not to try DT Derrick Brown up the middle, so this pass funnel defense can be picked apart. Hopefully rookie EDGE Nic Scourton can create some havoc early into plays.

2026 Playoff Predictions

This bracket is courtesy of NFLPerry, but this would be my most likely outcome with the Seahawks winning, 21-17, in a low-scoring Super Bowl. That'd summarize a very balanced and low-scoring 2025 regular season where a team without an elite QB can win it all if they have the right coaching staff, defense, and skill group.

The teams I like more than the markets are the Eagles, Jaguars, and Texans.

NFL Playoffs Best Ball Advice

The entire goal is to have a full lineup (1QB-1RB-2WT-1FLEX) alive in the Super Bowl and Wild Card round. If you haven't met those requirements, you have been eliminated, and they'd even project well in both spots in a perfect world, too. That often means having multiple QBs on every team with ideally a RB in that flex spot. Ideally, teams would have 2QB-4RB-4WT or 2QB-3RB-5WT.

My strategy is to often focus on 3 NFL team stacks, with at least 1 team in each NFL conference. It's possible to role with just 2 NFL team stacks, but it's harder to advance throughout the tournament and I think having 3 teams allows for higher projected players in each round typically. For the most part, I'd rather have a Kenneth Walker type instead of stacking Jahan Dotson on an Eagles stack.

Equally important to individual player projections is knowing the NFL Playoffs bracket to make sure our team stacks aren't eliminating each other in the first two rounds. For example, it's better to stack the Patriots (AFC) with two teams in the NFC who wouldn't face each other until the NFC Conference Championship, like the Seahawks (No. 1 seed) and the Bears (No. 2 seed). It'd be worse to stack the Patriots with the Texans, who they might face in the second round, or stacking the Bears and Packers, who face each other in the first round. I have two ways to help you out with this. First, I have my most likely NFL Playoffs results in a screenshot above. Second, use this cheat sheet with the best teams to pair:

1. Seahawks: Patriots, Jaguars, Bills, Broncos \\ Bears, Eagles

2. Rams: Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Bills, Texans \\ Seahawks

3. Broncos: Rams, Eagles, Bears, 49ers, Packers \\ Patriots, Jaguars

4. Eagles: Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Bills \\ Seahawks

5. Patriots: Seahawks, Rams, Eagles \\ Broncos

6. Bills: Seahawks, Rams, Eagles \\ Patriots, Texans

7. Texans: Seahawks, Rams, Eagles \\ Broncos, Bills, Jaguars

8. Jaguars: Seahawks, Rams, Eagles \\ Broncos, Patriots

9. Bears: Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Bills, Texans \\ Seahawks, Rams

10. Packers: Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Bills, Texans \\ Seahawks, Rams

11. 49ers: Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Bills, Texans \\ Seahawks, Rams

12. Chargers: Seahawks, Rams, Eagles, Bears \\ Jaguars, Texans

13. Steelers: Seahawks, Rams, Eagles, Bears \\ Broncos, Patriots

14. Panthers: Broncos, Patriots \\ Seahawks, Bears

Last thing I'd absolutely suggest is to use the queue right after your first round pick is completed, based on the best team pairings from above. For example, if you have Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 3rd overall, I'm immediately starring Sam Darnold, Kenneth Walker, and Zach Charbonnet plus star players on the Patriots, Jaguars, Bills, and Broncos. I'd largely draft the players in ADP order based on that short list of players, though give some room for pivots based on Wild Card projected players like Tetairoa McMillan who don't exactly fit that build.