The NFL remains a realm of unpredictability, highlighted by Week 7, where both the 49ers and Chiefs fell from their unbeaten statuses. With the season winding down, analytics expert Stephen Oh simulated the remainder of the 2026 season, predicting the playoff landscape and crowning a Super Bowl champion.

Projected AFC Playoff Field

The AFC playoff picture shifted dramatically, with the Bills now positioned as the No. 1 seed following the Chiefs' loss. The projected standings are:

• 1. Bills (5-1) - AFC East champion
• 2. Chiefs (5-1) - AFC West champion
• 3. Jaguars (4-2) - AFC South champion
• 4. Bengals (4-2) - AFC North champion
• 5. Broncos (4-2)
• 6. Steelers (5-2)
• 7. Ravens (4-3)

The Bengals also made headlines by becoming the first team in 75 years to win by 20+ points after trailing at halftime. In contrast, the Browns remain projected to miss the playoffs, finishing at 8-9.

Projected NFC Playoff Field

In the NFC, the Vikings have taken over as the top seed after San Francisco's loss. The current projections are:

• 1. Vikings (6-0) - NFC North champion
• 2. 49ers (6-1) - NFC West champion
• 3. Falcons (3-4) - NFC South champion
• 4. Cowboys (3-4) - NFC East champion
• 5. Lions (4-2)
• 6. Seahawks (4-3)
• 7. Bears (5-2)

The Cowboys are now favored to win the NFC East, marking a notable turnaround in their season. With a favorable schedule, they have a 38.5% chance to clinch the division.

Wild Card Round Highlights

In the AFC, the Chiefs edged out the Ravens 26-20, while the Jaguars defeated the Steelers 25-20. The Broncos pulled off an upset against the Bengals, winning 24-23.

In the NFC, the 49ers triumphed over the Bears 27-24, and the Seahawks avenged past playoff losses to the Falcons with a 24-21 victory. The Lions stunned the Cowboys, winning 33-30 in a high-scoring affair.

Conference Championships and Super Bowl Projections

The Bills overcame the Chiefs 28-23 in the AFC Championship, while the Vikings narrowly defeated the 49ers 23-20 in the NFC Championship. This sets the stage for Super Bowl LXI, where the Bills are projected to defeat the Vikings 26-21, marking their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

The Bills now hold a 12.97% chance of winning it all, with the Vikings closely following at 11.15%.