7 months ago
NFL Divisional Round 2026: Broncos, Patriots, Seahawks, Rams advance
The NFL Divisional Round 2026 was full of exciting games.
The Denver Broncos won a close game against the Buffalo Bills in overtime, but their quarterback Bo Nix got hurt.
The New England Patriots had a strong win against the Houston Texans.
In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks had a big win over the San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Rams won a tight game against the Chicago Bears in overtime.
These wins mean the Broncos, Patriots, Seahawks, and Rams will play in the next round to decide who goes to the Super Bowl.
Denver Broncos beat Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime; Bo Nix injured, Jarret Stidham to start next game.
New England Patriots dominated Houston Texans with five turnovers, including a pick-six.
Seattle Seahawks crushed San Francisco 49ers 41-6, avenging earlier regular-season split.
Los Angeles Rams edged Chicago Bears 20-17 in overtime, advancing to NFC Championship.
Top seeds Denver and Seattle showed dominance in their respective conferences.
- Who
- Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams
- What
- NFL Divisional Round 2026 games
- Where
- Denver, New England, Seattle, Chicago
- When
- Weekend of the Divisional Round
- Why
- To advance to the AFC and NFC Championships
AFC Teams
NFC Teams
AFC Teams
AFC Teams
Denver Broncos and New England Patriots advanced to the AFC Championship.
NFC Teams
Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams advanced to the NFC Championship.
Key facts
- Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills
- 33-30 (OT)
- New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans
- Convincing performance, 5 turnovers forced
- Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
- 41-6
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
- 20-17 (OT)
- Bo Nix
- Fractured ankle, season-ending injury
- Jarret Stidham
- Backup quarterback for Denver Broncos
- Drake Maye
- Threw for 179 yards
- Sam Darnold
- Strong outing, avenged past playoff demons
- Caleb Williams
- Late heroics in Bears vs. Rams game
Quotes
Kyle Shanahan
Head coach of the San Francisco 49ers
“They’ve been unbelievable. I love both those guys. Two as good of coaches I’ve been around and both will be head coaches, whether it’s in a week or so or whether it’s over the next two years. We’re lucky to have those guys, and for our sake I hope we’ll still have them next year.”
livemint.com
“I think this was one of the most impressive seasons by an individual player ever. The dude was unbelievable. His dedication to really empty the tank every single game and to be able to do that many games in a row is something that I’ve never really seen before.”
livemint.com
Deommodore Lenoir
Cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers
“It hurt. Because this whole season I was telling myself, if we hosted the Super Bowl, we have to be there. So it hurts.”
livemint.com
Brock Purdy
Starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers
“I really do think it was a special year. Given the circumstances that we were put in and dealt with and guys going down. You see across the league that sometimes teams don’t really have what it takes to have these kind of circumstances and then push forward and make it to the playoffs and have a chance to be the one seed at the end of the year. All the things that we were able to accomplish, a lot of teams would have thrown in the towel.”
livemint.com
George Kittle
Pro Bowl tight end for the San Francisco 49ers
“Doctors told me it was a best-case scenario and should have a shorter recovery time than some Achilles tendon injuries.”
livemint.com
