Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

NFL playoff bracket 2016 update: Panthers advance to NFC Championship vs. Cardinals

The Panthers will host the Cardinals in the NFC Championship after beating the Seahawks on Sunday.

SB Nation 2016 NFL Playoff Guide

There's only one spot remaining in the next round of the NFL playoffs, as the Carolina Panthers dominated the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional round on Sunday. The first half was a disaster for the Seahawks, and though they played much better in the second half, the game was well out of reach before the fourth quarter got underway.

On Saturday, the Arizona Cardinals won a wild one over the Green Bay Packers in the first NFC Divisional round game, which means we'll get the top two seeds in the conference facing off in the NFC Championship. Carolina, the top seed after finishing the regular season with a 15-1 record, will play host to the Cardinals next week.

One half of the AFC Championship was also set as the New England Patriots took a steady win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. Tom Brady and the Patriots are the defending Super Bowl champions and they should be favored over both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos will play host to the Steelers on Sunday afternoon in the final Divisional round game. If the Broncos win, they will host the Patriots in the AFC Championship as the top seed. If the Steelers win, they will travel to New England for the same game. Both New England and Denver finished 12-4, but the Broncos held the tie break due to head-to-head record.

NFL playoff bracket

Schedule (all times Eastern)

Saturday, Jan. 9

AFC Wild Card Game 1: Kansas City Chiefs 30, Houston Texans0 (recap)
AFC Wild Card Game 2: Pittsburgh Steelers 18, Cincinnati Bengals 16 (recap)

Sunday, Jan. 10

NFC Wild Card Game 1: Seattle Seahawks 10, Minnesota Vikings 9 (recap)
NFC Wild Card Game 2: Green Bay Packers 35, Washington 18 (recap)

Saturday, Jan. 16

AFC Divisional Round Game 1: New England Patriots 27, Kansas City Chiefs 20 (recap)
NFC Divisional Round Game 1: Arizona Cardinals 26, Green Bay Packers 20 (recap)

Sunday, Jan. 17

NFC Divisional Round Game 2: Carolina Panthers 31, Seattle Seahawks 24 (recap)
AFC Divisional Round Game 2: Denver Broncos 23, Pittsburgh Steelers 16 (recap)

Sunday, Jan. 24

AFC Championship: New England Patriots vs. TBD, 3 p.m., CBS
NFC Championship: Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals, 6:40 p.m., FOX

Sunday, Feb. 7

Super Bowl 50: AFC champion vs. NFC champion, 6:30 p.m., CBS

* * *

SB Nation presents: Tre Boston celebrates big sack with Future dance

See More:

More in NFL

NFL
WNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in FriscoWNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in Frisco
NFL

The Women’s National Football Conference Championship will air on ESPN2 this weekend.

By RJ Ochoa
From SBNationExternal Link
Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?
From SBNationExternal Link
By James Dator
NFL
Best bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the YearBest bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
NFL

There are some good longer-shot options on offensive side of ball for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year.

By Bill Williamson
NFL
Brendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go inBrendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go in
NFL

This is a no-brainer for some NFL teams.

By James Dator
NFL
Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before himFernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him
NFL

Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him

By RJ Ochoa
NFL
Brendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reportsBrendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports
NFL

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is entering the NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports

By Mark Schofield