The Tampa Bay Bucs started their must-win game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday like a team with its back against the wall, jumping out to a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Panthers fought back to close the gap twice, but Tampa Bay held on to secure a crucial victory to keep their season alive.

The NFL playoffs continue with the divisional-round games this weekend. But who could be facing off in the AFC and NFC championship games next week? Take a look at the NFL playoff bracket for the AFC and NFC, which doesn't have reseeding from here on out ...

Here is more on the NFL tiebreaker process for the 2026 playoffs. The NFL has a deep set of tiebreakers for divisions that can arise from ties between two and three or more teams. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs). Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.

A win by the Panthers over the Bucs on Saturday clinches the NFC South. If the Bucs win, the Falcons-Saints game on Sunday comes into play.

Few divisions in the NFL are as competitive or historic as the NFC East. The rivalries between the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders have produced decades of iconic moments. But in the modern era, one constant ...