Each conference will have seven playoff teams: four division winners (No. 1 through No. 4) and three at-large teams, called wild cards (No. 5 through No. 7). The division winners are ranked by best record to worst and will each host at least one playoff game.

NFL schedule set up perfect Buccaneers, Panthers finish for NFC South standings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The NFL schedule makers like to backlog the calendar with divisional matchups. But even then, there's no guarantee that those games will have any meaning.

Sunday is a big day in the NFC North, though not as big a day as last Sunday or next Saturday will be. Today, the Green Bay Packers have a chance to maintain their lead in the division with a win over the Denver Broncos or a loss by the Chicago Bears, who host the Cleveland Browns.

The SEC released its full 2026 schedule on Thursday night, offering a glimpse into what awaits league members as the conference undergoes a historic shift. With the league moving from an eight-game schedule to a nine-game league slate for next season, there will be a whopping 72 conference matchups.