NFL History: The 27-27 NYG-WAS tie today is first tie in NFL since last year's 40-40 GB-DAL tie on Sept 25...and the last tie before that involved both NYG and WAS tying 20-20 on Dec. 4 2022. Ties typically make the playoff scenarios a bit more challenging, especially for intradivisional tie games and also brings in "2 ties = 1 win + 1 loss" fun playoff scenarios later in the season.
The @NFL is experiencing great overall parity since the League went to 8 divisions in 2002. Last season saw a record-tying 7 NEW division champions (only happened previously in 2011) and the least amount of new champions is 2 happening only in 2012 and 2014.
The average number of new division champs since realignment in 2002 is 4.65 (more than half) with at least half of NFL divisions crowning a new champion in 19 of the 23 years since 2003. Other than the division dominance of NE and KC for a number of years, most divisions rarely have repeat champions. In fact, until PHI repeated in 2025, no team had repeated as NFC East champion since 2004, the longest such streak in NFL history.
Last year's champions:
AFC: NE, PIT, JAX and DEN
NFC: PHI, CHI, CAR and SEA
We're already seeing some great starts from surprising teams (LV, CLE, NYG, MIN)...who will be this year's NEW champions?
Look forward to providing NFL playoff scenario insight throughout 2026, my 34th season handling tiebreaker information for the NFL.
@miketirico @BaxFootballGuru @Ivan_Urena1 @NFLfootballinfo
The MLB HR Derby new format is fine…some good drama. Netflix production is very poor with multiple misplaced graphics, no replay on critical fair/foul hit for Caminero in 1st round and way too many cutaways during ball flight. Maybe next year.
The 2026 NFL Schedule is out and below is the grid I will use during NFL Playoff Tiebreaker Season...easy glance for Head-to-Head records and upcoming matchups/remaining games #playoffscenarios
And here’s the official 2026 NFL International slate of games:
Week 1: Rams/49ers (Melbourne)
Week 3: Ravens/Cowboys (Rio)
Week 4: Colts/Commanders (London)
Week 5: Eagles/Jaguars (London)
Week 6: Texans/Jaguars (London)
Week 7: Steelers/Saints (Paris)
Week 9: Bengals/Falcons (Madrid)
Week 10: Patriots/Lions (Munich)
Week 11: Vikings/49ers (Mexico City)
NFL Schedule 2026:
Pretty sure we will have the following over and above what has been announced so far…
* Either NE or CHI at Seattle on Kickoff Wednesday…i lean to Bears
* Wk 1 MNF will be Broncos at Chiefs
* Colts at Commanders Wk 4 in London
* Eagles at Jaguars Wk 5 in London
* Steelers at Saints Wk 7 in Paris
* Patriots at Lions Wk 10 in Munich
* Bears at Lions on Thanksgiving afternoon
@JPFinlayNBCS @NerdingonNFL @AdamSchefter
NFL Schedule 2026:
Pretty sure we will have the following over and above what has been announced so far…
* Either NE or CHI at Seattle on Kickoff Wednesday…i lean to Bears
* Wk 1 MNF will be Broncos at Chiefs
* Colts at Commanders Wk 4 in London
* Eagles at Jaguars Wk 5 in London
* Steelers at Saints Wk 7 in Paris
* Patriots at Lions Wk 10 in Munich
* Bears at Lions on Thanksgiving afternoon
@JPFinlayNBCS @NerdingonNFL @AdamSchefter
Schedule predictions from @JoeNFL:
Season Opener: Bears @ Seahawks
Commanders opener vs Atlanta
Commanders London Game Week 4 vs Colts
Michigan #3 Cadeau carries the ball every time he dribbles. Love to see it called but realize rules are “suggestions” these days.
Great theater in KY win…but this is accurate below…in addition to ignoring Santa Clara timeout call
With Tua headed to ATL…that gives them two lefties at QB (Penix, Jr) on same team…don’t ever recall that happening in NFL before. Anyone @NFLfootballinfo ? @AdamSchefter ?
Joe Ferreira retweeted
Tonight was Purdue’s 17th Top 15 game since the start of 2023-24.
The Boilers are now 12-5 (.706) in such games.
58 D-I MBB teams have played 10+ Top 15 games in that same span.
Purdue is the ONLY team with a win percentage of 70% or better.
Beat the best.
2025 NFL season Playoff teams and Seeds look very similar to 2013 season...
In 2025 we have #1 DEN vs #2 NE....and #1 SEA vs #5 LAR (same division).
2013 AFC Championship saw #1 seed DENVER host #2 seed NEW ENGLAND...in Manning/Brady Bowl XV....with DEN winning 26-16 behind Manning's 400-yard passing performance.
The 2013 NFC Championship had #1 seed SEATTLE hosting #5 seed SAN FRANCISCO (wild card from same division)...with SEA winning 23-17 with late interception by eventual SB MVP Malcolm Smith.
Curious to see how 2025 playoffs turn out this weekend!
Heading into Divisional Weekend, we have both conferences with the exact same surviving seeds (1,2,5,6).
Since the League went to 6 playoff seeds per conference in 1990 (added 7th in 2020), we have NEVER had a 5 vs 6 Conference Championship Game.
5 and 6 seeds have made significant appearances though with:
* PIT in 2005 being the first 6 seed in a conf champ game and going on to win the SB that year.
* NYG won the SB in the 2007 season as 5 seed beating undefeated NE that year
* GB won in 2010 as the 6 seed with Aaron Rodgers beating his future PIT team
* TB won in 2020 as the 5 seed with Tom Brady at the helm.
* In 2021, we had our only 4 (LAR) vs 6 (SF) Conf Champ Game...where the 4 seed LAR went on to beat 4 seed CIN in the Super Bowl.
@AdamSchefter @miketirico @ProFootballTalk @wingoz
Here is the official Divisional Playoff Weekend schedule … both conferences have the same Seeds remaining
AFC:
1 DEN vs 6 BUF
2 NE vs 5 HOU
NFC:
1 SEA vs 6 SF
2 CHI vs 5 LAR
After a weekend of great Wild Card games, we are left with the following matchups for the Divisional Playoff Round:
Saturday, Jan. 17
4:30 or 8:00 p.m. ET Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (Network TBD)
4:30 or 8:00 p.m. ET San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (Network TBD)
Sunday, Jan. 18
3:00 or 6:30 p.m. ET Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (Network TBD)
3:00 or 6:30 p.m. ET Pittsburgh/Houston at New England Patriots (Network TBD)
Both #1 seeds with a bye will host on Saturday, Jan. 17. #1 seeds have hosted on Saturday every year since 2021 (Note: The NFL went to 7 playoff teams and one byed team per conference in 2020...#1 KC hosted on Sunday that Covid-impacted year).
Both #6 seeds won on Wild Card weekend this year, first time since 2020 (CLE and LAR). That same 2020 season, both #5 seeds won as well (BAL and TB), which can be matched this year if HOU beats PIT Monday night.
Exact times and networks will be announced when the PIT/HOU winner is determined on Monday night.
