Bears, 49ers Clinch 2026 NFL Playoff Berths, Updated Standings and Bracket

A pair of teams have punched their ticket to the NFL playoffs.

The Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers each earned a spot in the postseason thanks to the Detroit Lions' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Chicago needed a win of its own plus a loss or tie from the Lions, while the Niners needed a win of their own, a Detroit loss or a tie from both teams.

With Chicago and San Francisco officially playoff-bound, here's a look at the updated standings and bracket.

NFC Playoff Picture

Division Leaders

1. x-Seattle Seahawks (12-3, NFC West)

2. z-Chicago Bears (11-4, NFC North)

3. z-Philadelphia Eagles (10-5, NFC East)

4. Carolina Panthers (8-7, NFC South)

It's fair to say all of the division leaders in the NFC have looked like Super Bowl contenders this season, besides perhaps the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers did wonders for their playoff hopes on Sunday with a win over their division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it's still hard to see them taking down any of the top teams in the conference.

Wild Card Teams

5. x-Los Angeles Rams (11-4)

6. x-San Francisco 49ers (10-4)

7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)

With Chicago having clinched the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers only way into the playoffs will be through a wild card bid.

In the Hunt

8. Detroit Lions (8-7)

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)

Both the Lions and Bucs' playoff chances are getting slimmer after losing key games on Sunday. Tampa Bay had the chance to take the lead in the division, but came up short against the Panthers.

Eliminated

10. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

11. Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1)

12. Atlanta Falcons (6-9)

13. New Orleans Saints (5-10)

14. Washington Commanders (4-11)

15. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)

16. New York Giants (2-13)

x - denotes clinched playoffs

z - denotes clinched division

Division Leaders

1. x-Denver Broncos (12-3, AFC West)

2. New England Patriots (11-3, AFC East)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4, AFC South)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6, AFC North)

The Denver Broncos' impressive 11-game win streak came to an end at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, but they've still looked like one of the most impressive teams in the NFL this year.

The Jaguars have likewise looked fantastic during a six-game win streaks. They're getting hot at the right time with the playoffs just around the corner.

Wild Card Teams

5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)

6. Buffalo Bills (11-4)

7. Houston Texans (10-5)

The Houston Texans can just about taste the playoffs at this point as the Colts continue to struggle, but Indianapolis will look to keep its postseason hopes alive on Monday.

In The Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7)

With the Steelers taking care of business against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the Ravens desperately need a win on Sunday, though that will be a tall task as they'll face the New England Patriots.

Eliminated

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)

11. Miami Dolphins (6-9)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)

13. New York Jets (3-12)

14. Tennessee Titans (3-12)

15. Cleveland Browns (3-12)

15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)