Image Source: Bob Harkins
Key Takeaways
- The NFL postseason will feature seven new division winners and six new playoff qualifiers
- The Philadelphia Eagles are the only team to defend their division crown from last season
- The Kansas City Chiefs will not appear in the postseason for the first time since 2014
- The College Football Playoff and NBA season are also discussed in this week’s quiz
- The NFL playoffs will have a different look this year with many new teams competing
Introduction to the NFL Postseason
The NFL postseason is just around the corner, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting few weeks of football. As the article states, "The NFL’s postseason will have a different look this year" with seven new division winners and six new playoff qualifiers. This means that many of the teams that made a deep run in the playoffs last season will not be back, and some new faces will be vying for the championship. The Philadelphia Eagles, who won the Super Bowl last season, will be attempting to defend their title, but they will be the only team to do so after winning their division last season.
The Eagles’ Title Defense
As the article notes, "Philly is the only team in this postseason that defended its division crown from last season." This is a testament to the team’s consistency and strength, and they will be looking to carry this momentum into the playoffs. However, they will face stiff competition from the other teams in the postseason, many of which have made significant improvements since last season. As the Eagles look to defend their title, they will need to be at the top of their game if they want to make it back to the Super Bowl.
Notable Teams Missing from the Playoffs
One of the most notable teams missing from the playoffs this season is the Kansas City Chiefs. As the article states, "The Chiefs will not appear in the postseason for the first time since 2014." This is a significant departure from recent years, as the Chiefs have been a consistent playoff contender with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes at the helm. Mahomes, who was drafted in 2017, has never missed the playoffs in his professional career, making this a surprising turn of events. The Chiefs’ absence from the playoffs will be felt, and it will be interesting to see how they regroup and rebuild for next season.
Other Notable Teams
In addition to the Chiefs, other teams that made big splashes last season, such as the Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, and Baltimore Ravens, took major steps back in 2025. These teams had high expectations coming into the season, but were unable to live up to them. As the article notes, "The most jarring team missing from these playoffs, however, is the Kansas City Chiefs." However, these other teams’ struggles are also worth noting, as they had been expected to be contenders this season.
The College Football Playoff and NBA Season
While the NFL postseason is the main focus of this week’s quiz, the College Football Playoff and NBA season are also discussed. The article mentions that "We’ll get into the playoff field in this week’s quiz, but that’s not all, with plenty of things happening around the College Football Playoff, NBA season and more." This suggests that there will be a wide range of sports topics covered in the quiz, and that fans of multiple sports will have something to look forward to.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the NFL postseason is shaping up to be an exciting and unpredictable few weeks of football. With seven new division winners and six new playoff qualifiers, there will be many new faces competing for the championship. The Philadelphia Eagles will be looking to defend their title, but they will face stiff competition from the other teams in the postseason. The Kansas City Chiefs’ absence from the playoffs is a notable storyline, and it will be interesting to see how they regroup and rebuild for next season. As the article states, "And while you’re at it, check out our daily Connections: Sports Edition, too." This suggests that there will be plenty of sports coverage and analysis available for fans to enjoy.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6950315/2026/01/08/this-week-in-sports-trivia-january-8-2026/
