# NFL Playoff Bracket Predictions

> Chiefs and Vikings face off in Super Bowl LXI after surprise NFC No. 1 seed.
- Title: NFL Playoff Bracket Predictions · CBS Sports | Shortify
- Summary: Chiefs and Vikings face off in Super Bowl LXI after surprise NFC No. 1 seed. The Vikings earn the NFC No. 1 seed in the NFL playoffs, with the Chiefs and…
- Keywords: nfl, playoffs, chiefs, vikings, seahawks, super bowl, playoff bracket, nfc, afcs, wild card, divisional round, conference championship
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/predicting-14-team-nfl-playoff-bracket-surprise-no-1-seed-in-nfc
- Published: 2026-09-30T12:31:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nfl, playoffs, chiefs, vikings, seahawks, super bowl, playoff bracket, nfc, afcs, wild card, divisional round, conference championship
## Week 3 NFL Upsets
Week 3 saw several NFL upsets, making unexpected playoff contenders possible this season.
## Stephen Oh's Simulation
Stephen Oh simulated the rest of the 2026 season with 224 regular-season games and 13 playoff games.
## Projected AFC Playoff Field
The AFC playoff field includes the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, Jaguars, Broncos, Bengals, and Colts.
## Jacksonville Jaguars Repeat
The Jaguars are projected to win back-to-back titles after not having consecutive division wins since 1998-99.
## Projected NFC Playoff Field
The Vikings earn the NFC No. 1 seed, with the Seahawks, Eagles, Panthers, 49ers, Lions, and Bears in the playoff field.
## Vikings' Defensive Strength
The Vikings have one of the best defenses in the NFL, which earns them the NFC No. 1 seed.
## Rams Miss Playoffs
The Rams are projected to miss the playoffs despite finishing with the seventh-best record in the NFC.
## AFC Wild Card Games
The Bills defeat the Colts, Ravens beat the Bengals, and Jaguars edge out the Broncos in the AFC wild card round.
## NFC Wild Card Games
The Seahawks beat the Bears, Eagles defeat the Lions, and 49ers overcome the Panthers in the NFC wild card round.
## Divisional Round
The Chiefs beat the Jaguars, Bills defeat the Ravens, Seahawks edge out the Eagles, and Vikings overcome the 49ers in the divisional round.
## Conference Championships
The Chiefs defeat the Bills in the AFC Championship, and Vikings beat the Seahawks in the NFC Championship.
## Super Bowl LXI
The Chiefs and Vikings meet in Super Bowl LXI after the Vikings earn the NFC No. 1 seed.
## Key takeaway

The Vikings earn the NFC No. 1 seed in the NFL playoffs, with the Chiefs and Vikings set to meet in Super Bowl LXI.