# AI predicts wild 2026 NFL playoffs with historic Super Bowl

> An analytics simulation projects two 0-2 teams making the postseason and the Seahawks winning back-to-back championships.
- Title: AI predicts wild 2026 NFL playoffs with historic Super Bowl
- Summary: An analytics simulation projects two 0-2 teams making the postseason and the Seahawks winning back-to-back championships. Early season records are…
- Keywords: nfl, playoffs, 2026 season, super bowl, seattle seahawks, kansas city chiefs, ai simulation, wild card, divisional round, conference championships, kenneth walker, patrick mahomes
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-playoff-predictions-2026-super-bowl-week-3
- Published: 2026-09-23T11:56:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: nfl, playoffs, 2026 season, super bowl, seattle seahawks, kansas city chiefs, ai simulation, wild card, divisional round, conference championships, kenneth walker, patrick mahomes
## Two winless teams projected to make playoffs
An AI simulation by analytics expert Stephen Oh projects that two of the eight 0-2 teams in the NFL will make the postseason, showing that early season records don't determine playoff fate.
## Chiefs get AFC's top seed despite Mahomes injury
Kansas City's 2-0 start convinced the projection model that Patrick Mahomes' ACL recovery is on track, earning them the number one overall seed in the AFC.
## Texans and Colts both make playoffs despite 0-2
The AFC South's two winless teams are projected to make the postseason, with the Texans winning the division and the Colts grabbing a wild card spot.
## Seahawks top NFC despite no Sam Darnold
Seattle is projected to finish with the best record in the NFC and win the West, even without quarterback Sam Darnold in the simulation.
## Panthers win South with just 7-10 record
Carolina is projected to win the NFC South with a 7-10 record, making them only the second seven-win team ever to reach the playoffs since the 2014 Panthers went 7-8-1.
## Bears miss playoffs after Williams injury
Chicago is projected to miss the postseason following their Week 2 loss to Minnesota, with Caleb Williams potentially missing games due to a hamstring injury.
## Broncos pull off first-round upset over Ravens
Denver is projected to travel to Baltimore and defeat the Ravens in the wild card round, with the Broncos' defense containing Lamar Jackson and Bo Nix leading them to a 22-21 victory.
## Lions edge 49ers in tight wild card matchup
Detroit is projected to defeat San Francisco 28-25 in the opening round despite the 49ers looking strong through two weeks, advancing to face the Eagles.
## Rams beat Panthers again in wild card
Los Angeles is projected to defeat Carolina 27-21 in the wild card round, repeating their playoff matchup from last year.
## Chiefs edge Broncos in divisional rematch
Kansas City is projected to narrowly defeat Denver 21-19 in the divisional round, a much tighter contest than their 31-10 Week 1 blowout.
## Seahawks face Rams in divisional showdown
Seattle is projected to defeat Los Angeles 23-20 in the divisional round, marking their third matchup in five weeks after facing off in Weeks 16 and 18.
## Chiefs beat Bills again in AFC Championship
Kansas City is projected to defeat Buffalo 26-23 in the AFC Championship, extending Josh Allen's 0-4 playoff record against the Chiefs.
## Seahawks win historic back-to-back Super Bowls
Seattle is projected to defeat Kansas City 20-19 in Super Bowl LXI, becoming the first NFC team in 30 years to win consecutive championships. The matchup features Kenneth Walker facing his old team, Andy Reid versus Mike MacDonald, and potentially Travis Kelce's final game on Valentine's Day.

> the SEAHAWKS will become the first NFC team in 30 years to win back-to-back Super Bowls
## Key takeaway

Early season records are misleading: two winless teams are projected to make the playoffs, and Seattle is favored to become the first NFC team in 30 years to win consecutive Super Bowls.