2026 NFL playoff picture: AFC & NFC outlook entering Week 10

The 2026 NFL playoff picture is creating more clarity for the biggest AFC and NFC contenders this season. Meanwhile, Monday Night Football will offer an even greater postseason case for either the Buffalo Bills or Minnesota Vikings.The NFC North continues to be the most dominating division in football. The Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers all picked up important wins in Week 9.That includes Jordan Love’s epic performance for the Packers on the road against the New England Patriots. Green Bay’s star quarterback passed for 372 yards and three touchdowns, putting him as one of the fastest risers in the league’s MVP race.However, the Los Angeles Chargers sit on the opposite end of the spectrum after losing their eighth consecutive game. Jim Harbaugh’s team is also monitoring more bad news as Justin Herbert deals with a middle finger injury.MORE: NFL contenders & pretenders after Week 9How does your favorite team meld in the current NFL playoff mix? Our weekly playoff picture updates will continue through the end of the 2026 regular season.AFC playoff picture after Week 9Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) shakes hands with Baltimore Ravens safety K’Von Wallace (25) after the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)*Buffalo Bills, 6-1Denver Broncos, 7-2Jacksonville Jaguars, 6-2Pittsburgh Steelers, 6-2Kansas City Chiefs, 6-2Cincinnati Bengals, 6-2New England Patriots, 5-4In the hunt: Cleveland Browns (5-4), Las Vegas Raiders (4-5), Baltimore Ravens (4-5), Houston Texans (3-5), New York Jets (2-7), Indianapolis Colts (2-7), Miami Dolphins (1-7), Tennessee Titans (1-7), Los Angeles Chargers (0-8)NFC playoff picture during Week 9San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)San Francisco 49ers, 7-1*Minnesota Vikings, 6-1New York Giants, 5-2-1Carolina Panthers, 3-5Chicago Bears, 7-2Detroit Lions, 6-2Green Bay Packers, 6-3In the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (5-4), Los Angeles Rams (5-4), Dallas Cowboys (4-5), New Orleans Saints (3-5), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6), Atlanta Falcons (3-6), Arizona Cardinals (3-6), Washington Commanders (2-5-1), Philadelphia Eagles (2-7)MORE: AFC power rankings for NFL Week 10: Bengals rise, Browns and Raiders fall*Denotes the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings conclude Week 9 during Monday Night Football. The two elite NFL teams meet in Minneapolis (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN).— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —